MAKING COATS RAINPROOF.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 1 August 1925, Page 17

MAKING COATS RAINPROOF.

Any material may easily be rendered rainproof at home. There are various processes, some of which are suitable to stouter materials, and some of which may be applied to such delicate material® as silk, crepe de chine, or silk marocain. This is a waterproof solution for thicker materials: Put 2Jlb. alum in 7\ gallons of water in one vessel; in another put 2Jib. acetate of lead in 7\ gallons of water. Mix the two solutions. There will be a powdery sediment (sulphate of lead). Pour off the liquid in which acetate of alum remains. Immerse your . garment of material in this. Work it about well to be sure that every part is well soaked. Hang up and dry in the open air. You should then find that water will run off from it as from a duck’s back. When you come in from the rain, just shake it, and it should be quite dry. Materials thus treated, though waterproof, are not airproof, and are therefore far more comfortable, as well as healthful to wear than rubber macintoshes. Solution for delicate materials: Soak white wax in turpentine in the proportion about 3Joz. of wax to 5i pints of turpentine. When it is well mixed, soak your material well in it. Hang up in the air to dry. Be careful in this operation to keep well away from the fir e or open light, as turpentine is highly inflammable. As the garment dries the spirit evaporates, leaving the wax in the garment. By this method, silks, crepe de chines, and other light materials of which evening or smart wraps are made may be made waterproof.