Should I Scotchguard my Timbuk2 bags?

January 13, 2012 11:42 AM

About to Scotchguard the hell out of a couple of new Timbuk2 bags. Any reason I shouldn't do this?

I'm the new owner of a Timbuk2 messenger bag and a backpack. I've never used their products before. Is it safe/recommended to spray them with Scotchguard, or do they already have a stain-resistant coating? Will Scotchguard make them look dull? I've got a can of the stuff sitting around, but have never used it before. I'm also afraid that I won't be able to spray all the little folds evenly. And how about spraying the inside, is that just a bad idea?

posted by ziggly to Home & Garden (12 answers total)

Timbuk2 uses a variety of materials depending on what bag you have.

On the nylon-type (not sure if that's accurate, but it sure wasn't canvas) bags I've had I'd say that any further type of treatment was unnecessary.
posted by RolandOfEld at 11:56 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Make sure they really are clean. Any dirt on them is permanent after getting sprayed.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 12:00 PM on January 13, 2012

I have two nylon Tinbuk2 backpacks.

I've been hauling them around all rainy winter now, and nothing inside has gotten wet at all. This includes standing outside in the rain for hours during Occupy protests and being in drenching downpours.
posted by spinifex23 at 12:00 PM on January 13, 2012

I've carried a Timbuk2 mess bag every day for two years and I can't see any dirt or discoloration on it. The center stripe of mine is a medium orange color, so I expected to see grunge where I grabbed the bag by the top instead of by the strap, but two years in and it still looks new.

I don't see any reason not to Scotchgard your bag if you want to, though.
posted by workerant at 12:01 PM on January 13, 2012

Scotchguard is for porous things, like upholstery and fabric -- Timbuk2 bags aren't made out of porous things, they're not really fabric, and they're already waterproof (and isn't the inside functionally plastic?). I'm not sure there's any point. They have good customer service, though, and this seems like a question you could ask them.
posted by brainmouse at 12:07 PM on January 13, 2012 [3 favorites]

I'll second the suggestion that this is unnecessary if the bags are the standard ballistic nylon. It's pretty stain resistant as it is, and the liner is completely waterproof. If you've got one of the specialty fabrics though, it might be worth it. I'd recommend calling Timbuk2 for a specific recommendation if that's the case. Their phone is answered immediately by real humans (or at least it was a year ago).
posted by duien at 1:03 PM on January 13, 2012

I've had my (nylon) Timbuk2 bag for more than ten years, and I use it every day. It's still completely waterproof, no stains that I can see (but you wouldn't think it was new). The embroidered spiral logo is a little threadbare but that's about it.
posted by phliar at 1:22 PM on January 13, 2012

Nthing totally unnecessary. Also, Scotchguard really stinks and is irritating. I would spray it outside.
posted by gnutron at 1:36 PM on January 13, 2012

As everyone has said, totally not necessary. I almost wish mine showed it's age after all it's been through.
posted by slartibartfast at 1:54 PM on January 13, 2012

Same here: Timbuk2 bag since '96. No treatment. Still waterproof.
posted by herrdoktor at 4:09 PM on January 13, 2012

I've had a bag for a few years, passed it on to a sibling, a few more years have gone by, still looks new, still waterproof.
posted by Brian Puccio at 4:48 PM on January 13, 2012

Response by poster: Thanks for your comments. For reference, I have the standard nylon-coated fabric on my bags and I went with not Scotchguarding. However, I did write to Timbuk2 customer service and got an ambiguous answer along the lines of "Well, it wouldn't hurt, especially down the road."
posted by ziggly at 11:24 AM on February 1, 2012