rainjacket

February 26, 2009 9:23 PM

I wash trucks and houses for my liveing, myproblem is i need a rain jacket that is waterproof and soap proof and very durable( and size 4 x or so) and preferably if possible acid proof i dont mean like hydrochloric acid.. something like you would use on a tractor trailor truck.

I got a yellow rain jacket from a local hardware store but, its already cracking in spots and torn as it was a little to small

I would prefer something knee length or longer, with an attached hood.

I tried google it got me no where, i would prefer someone whos bought one, or knows someone who has to comment.
I am willing to pay 100-150 if its a really nice one

posted by quseio to work & money (12 comments total)

Years ago, I had a Helly Hansen windbreaker that was ridiculously waterproof - and then one day, one rain too many, it just stopped working. Anyhow, I went to the website and the FAQ had this information under "how do I restore the weather proof quality of my garment?"

Make sure the garment is clean (see How Do I Clean My Garment?), then apply a DWR (durable water repellent) spray-on or wash-in solution so that water continues to "bead" (water droplets appear to slide off) on the outer surface. Helly Hansen does not recommend any particular spray; leading brands include Nikwax, Grangers and McNett. Read the label on the spray for user advice.

Those people know about liquid-proofing - and applying one of those sprays to a cheap jacket would be much less costly than buying a pre-proofed jacket.
posted by moxiedoll at 9:32 PM on February 26

You want oilskins like fishermen wear. Totally 100% waterproof and long lasting. I'd recommend either Helly Hansen or Grundens in the heavy commercial grade. If I were you I'd get the overalls and a separate jacket, instead of a long jacket. Expect to pay quite a bit but they should last you a few years.
posted by fshgrl at 9:45 PM on February 26

Seconding fishing foul weather gear. Grundens even has a long coat, that I can't link directly to, here called the Salto 59.
posted by 517 at 9:59 PM on February 26

i looked them up very promiseing, but i find the pants annoying, at least in the old ones i used they where never long enough or always wanting to slip off

i really dont get much underspray its all frontback and from the top, so a long coat, with boots would do just fine im going to look up the other manufacturer now
posted by quseio at 11:06 PM on February 26

hmm hansens doesnt seem like what i want grundens if they have a longcoat would do the trick i think
posted by quseio at 11:09 PM on February 26

ahh i see i looked under standard couldnt find the salto before and theres a pair of pants that doesnt use suspenders... i think that will work nicely
posted by quseio at 11:13 PM on February 26

Gundens will give you the look of an Alaskan crab boat crew member back from the Bering Sea but they are the best workingman's foul weather gear, period.
posted by birdwatcher at 3:28 AM on February 27

Hazmat suit? Modified, somewhat, you wouldn't need the head gear, or to seal yourself in. Or, what do insect terminators use? (The guys who totally seal up your house)
posted by nax at 6:32 AM on February 27

Musto as used by round the world sail boat crew. Tough, resilient, waterproof and easy to work in.
posted by adamvasco at 8:07 AM on February 27

Something like this? It's nitrile, so I believe that it would stand up to mild pH variances.
posted by Danf at 8:52 AM on February 27

You can get tyvek suits for pretty cheap, but they're not very durable... and since they're one piece with no air flow, I think doing any physical work in them would be pretty unpleasant. Okay, forget the tyvek suits.

Out of curiosity, what kind of acid are you talking about, here?
posted by hattifattener at 11:01 AM on February 27

i dont know the name and it varies sometimes all i know is its blue and stinks lol, we dont always use the same acid though , and we do use aluminum whitner sometimes , but that isnt a problem as i dont have to be anywhere near it as its scrub free
posted by quseio at 8:52 AM on February 28