What is the essence of water-repellent impregnation? How does this miracle drug work? What types of impregnations exist, for which materials? Let's take a closer look at these issues.
Water-repellent impregnations, their action
How does water-repellent fabric treatment work? Its action is based on enveloping the fibers of the material with a kind of hydrophobic film, which is impermeable to water, but allows air to pass through. "Water-repellent" substances do not actually repel water, but are only able to attract water molecules weaker than usual. By tradition, all such impregnations are called water-repellent.
Water-repellent impregnation for clothes or shoes is an emulsion or solution. What happens to the material after treatment with such solutions? Initially, the surface of the fabric (or other material) is wetted with a water-repellent impregnation, then the solvent itself evaporates, leaving only a very thin layer of water-repellent substance, the molecules of which do not evaporate. In this case, fibers are formed that minimally attract water, that is, repel it, liquid collects on the surfacein the form of separate drops that roll down. Currently, several types of water-repellent impregnations are on sale, the basis can be water or carbon solvents.
Use of impregnation in construction
Very often in construction, water-repellent impregnation is used for concrete, wood, brick. It allows you to protect the material from the all-destructive effects of moisture. Often, mortar joints that are not treated with water-repellent agents let moisture in, while heat, on the contrary, comes out. As a result of this process, s alt deposits are formed. A special water-repellent impregnation for concrete will help prevent this unpleasant process.
How to avoid problems when building brick walls
Brick is a porous material, cement-sand mortar is used for its laying. "Natural pressure" causes efflorescence (formation of s alts) to appear on the masonry. To avoid this unpleasant phenomenon, it is necessary to use special means. Water-repellent impregnation for brick will prevent possible damage and get rid of many problems. Here are just a few:
- Brick wall freezing during frost season.
- Heat loss, unnecessary heating costs.
- Wetting masonry joints in the autumn, turning moisture into an ice crust in winter.
- Formation of s alt stains (efflorescence).
- All of the above leads to the complete destruction of the masonry.
For protectionbrick walls, there are several types of water-repellent protective impregnations, all of which help to solve not only aesthetic problems, but also prevent the destruction of masonry.
Main types of impregnation for bricks
All protective impregnations, penetrating to a depth of 10 mm, create a water-repellent layer on the surface and provide reliable vapor barrier.
- Acrylic-silicone or acrylic impregnation.
- Two-component water-based silicone impregnation.
- Impregnation varnish - not only protects, but also gives a surface gloss.
- Water-repellent liquid with high protective properties.
Water-repellent impregnation for fabrics and shoes
The weather always dictates its own rules to us. Even on a sunny spring day, you often have to cross huge puddles, streams running through the streets of the city. What can we say about the fact that, having forgotten the umbrella, we fall under the downpour, outerwear gets wet, becomes unusable if water-repellent impregnation for the fabric was not used in a timely manner to protect it. To avoid such unpleasant cases, it is simply necessary to use modern protective impregnations. Today they are produced in the form of various aerosols: special or universal. Such products completely protect products from snow, s alt, moisture, while not disturbing the structure of the material, retaining the elasticity of the fabric and its breathability. Colorless water-repellent impregnation for shoes allows you to use it on any colored surfaces,who need protection from water.
Universal water-repellent impregnation
Description: the product is used as a water-repellent impregnation for clothes, shoes, any fabric products (umbrellas, tents), as well as nubuck, suede, smooth leather. It is based on fluorocarbon resins, which 100% protect products from dirt, dust, moisture and s alt stains. At the same time, the airtightness and elasticity of the material is maintained. This impregnation is often used to treat sports and outdoor equipment.
How to use: Shake the impregnation bottle well. Hold the spray up and in an upright position. The product is applied to a clean surface, well degreased and dried, from a distance of 25 cm. The product must dry well. Processing must be carried out regularly.
Special impregnation
In addition to universal, there is also a special water-repellent impregnation for fabric. What is the difference between them? It is very important not to confuse these funds, the consequences can be unpredictable. So, a special impregnation for smooth leather cannot be used to process suede, nubuck products. Grease and wax can stick the fibers together and ruin the material. But on smooth skin, these same components have a beneficial effect, protecting the surface from moisture as much as possible.
How to choose the best remedy?
Which impregnation do you prefer? Particular attention should be paid to the formrelease. Many people think that water-repellent impregnation for shoes from a jar is used more effectively, since it contains the maximum amount of fats that provide protection from moisture. It can be goose fat, seal or mink oil. These substances can be used in aerosol water-repellent impregnations, but their concentration there is much less.
If you need water-repellent impregnation for suede, then you should pay attention to universal products. However, not everything is so primitive. Sometimes, instead of fluorocarbon resins, manufacturers use cheap silicone, in which case the impregnation can have the opposite effect, that is, it creates an invisible water-repellent film, but at the same time prevents the shoes from breathing. Fluorocarbon resin particles spread between the fibers, moisture remains on the surface in the form of small droplets.
Before buying impregnation, study the composition carefully. Streamlined names (water-repellent components, water-repellent emulsion) should be alarming. Conscientious manufacturers write the correct composition on the label, including fluorocarbon resins or fats.
Use of impregnation in sports
Everyone knows that the treated fabric retains its hydrophobic properties for no more than a year. An integral part (waterproof apron) in a sports boat must strictly fulfill its purpose, that is, protect the kayak from excessive flooding. It is not difficult to sew a protective apron, it is much more difficult to properly process it, protect it frommoisture. There are many recipes for how to prepare a water-repellent impregnation with your own hands. Often used components such as synthetic resins, wax, paraffin, fats, polystyrene, polyisobutylene. Below is a recipe that was used to make impregnation back in 1958. Studies have shown that treated aprons remain water resistant throughout the summer season.
So, the components used:
- Solution of paraffin in turpentine 15-20% - 100-200 hours
- Solution of polystyrene in toluene 12% - 100 h.
- Solution of low molecular weight polyisobutylene in toluene 4% - 400 h.
- Solvents (turpentine and toluene) - added if necessary to obtain the desired consistency.
The fabric is impregnated with a uniformly obtained solution, dried in natural conditions. If in some places the fabric begins to let water through, the impregnation must be repeated.
General points on the use of various water-repellent impregnations
There are many types of protective equipment on sale. It can be a water-repellent impregnation for seams, for fabric, for clothes, for shoes, for awnings, for building materials. The choice accordingly depends on what the remedy is for.
Very often, new shoes, equipment, clothing have already been DWR-treated, but manufacturers recommend using additional water-repellent compounds before use.
Any impregnation is applied to clean material. According to the methods of application, they are divided into two groups.
First - impregnations that are added to the water. The thing is immersed in the solution and rinsed in it. Naturally, shoes are not processed in this way. These products are packaged in conventional containers with lids. The advantages of such material processing are complete impregnation. The process of washing, rinsing and impregnation can be combined. Immediately after washing and rinsing, the item must be treated with the composition, and then dried.
Second - impregnation applied with a sprayer or sponge. Hydrocarbon solvents are more often packaged in aerosol packages, water-based impregnation - in bottles with a mechanical spray. Such tools are used quite simply - they are applied to a clean surface. Hydrocarbon solvents are used in well-ventilated areas or outdoors, aqueous impregnations are best applied to a damp surface.
How often should I apply water repellent? As needed. If shoes or clothing are leaky in places, a topical aerosol or spray can be used. If most of it has lost its water-repellent properties, then it is better to use impregnation for complete immersion.
