We’ve all had that moment when you get to the end of summer and realise that you’ve forgotten to send the Barbour that was starting to let in the water to the company for rewaxing. When that happens, there’s nothing for it but to do it yourself. Elbow grease is essential – but it’s an oddly satisfying job, and, if you do it thoroughly, it does work, as I can testify.
First, you need a warm place to do it – either outside on a sunny day if it’s still hot weather, or a warm kitchen by the Aga.
* Stand a tin of Barbour wax thornproof dressing in a pan of hot water to soften it.
* Spread your coat out completely on the floor or a table – put newspaper down to stop the wax getting everywhere.
* Using a soft cloth or sponge, spread the wax on the Barbour, rubbing it in hard until the whole surface is gleaming dark but not wet. Don’t stint, but don’t use too much either. It needs to be really well rubbed in, especially on the seams and any creases or dry patches. Concentrate particularly on the shoulders and upper arms – the parts where rain hits first. It should be a completely even colour all over when you’re done.
* If you’re doing a riding coat with shoulder capes, do both the main body of the coat and the capes themselves for extra protection.
When you’ve finished, use a hairdryer to fix the wax, blowing evenly all over the coat. Hang the Barbour in a warm place, in an airing cupboard or above an Aga, overnight before trying it out on a suitably damp autumn day.
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