Rug Re-Proofing. Very Angry.

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maisie

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I have just brought my horse in after a reasonably wet day and the rug he is wearing has leaked all across the back and down the shoulders. I collected this rug from the cleaners just before Christmas having paid £22 to have it washed and re-proofed. It's a lightweight Premier Equine turnout and is 4 years old. It's been re-proofed twice before and always held the re-proofing. This is the first time he has worn it since it was re-proofed. I phoned the people who did the re-proofing and they've basically told me that with an 'Old' rug the more you re-proof, the less waterproof it will be?!? I told them I didn't expect it to be as waterproof as a new rug, but I would expect it to actually repel water to some degree after paying £12 for them to do it. They categorically said this is not the case. Surely they shouldn't be taking money for a service that they then tell you afterwards wasn't going to work anyway!

So who is right? them or me?!!
 
Buy some nikwax rug proofer, and reproof youself, and test it out, if it leaks theyre telling truth and yes shouldve told you before they did it and dont use them again and tell them so.

If it doesnt leak, they've sent you home with shoddy work and demand a refund and complain and never use them again.

Either way, they should have made you aware!
 
Brambridge04 said:
Buy some nikwax rug proofer, and reproof youself, and test it out, if it leaks theyre telling truth and yes shouldve told you before they did it and dont use them again and tell them so.
Click to expand...

This ^

I have yet to find a l/w rug that won't leak to some extent in the horribly heavy rain we have had today!
 
TinselFaerie said:
This ^

I have yet to find a l/w rug that won't leak to some extent in the horribly heavy rain we have had today!
Click to expand...

Really? Try a rambo then ;)

I have to say, I'm not a fan of PE. The one time that I ordered a PE rug, I disliked it so much I sent it back...

Re. reproofing older rugs - I have a MW rambo plus that I bought second hand 5 years ago and it gets heavily used, then washed and reproofed at the end of each winter - it has never yet been any less waterproof as a result.

In your shoes I would most certainly be complaining also.
 
I would be angry too.

My lightweight rug is an Amigo 1200D and it has never leaked, she has worn it over her stable rug in awful rain.
 
I dont wash mine in detergent, i hang them on the fence on a nice day and jet wash them - if the pressure of the water goes through and soaks the inside (and it is quite fierce) then i re-proof, if it dont go through then i dont bother reproofing.
When i do proof I find the best one is Fabsil, buy it in a gallon can and paint it on with a brush, costs about £25 but does 10 rugs or more (going to try putting it in a spray bottle this season to see how that goes)
Id certainly kick off though with your rugs, they'[re fobbing you off, prob used a low quality proofer, ask them what they've used and tell them you are contacting the proofing company.
 
I had my 10yr old masta reproofed and washed this winter and it leaked in the snow where repairs were made. Sent it back was reproofed again so have had to make the conclusion that the rug is just old so I make sure its not on, on really wet days. Im gutted as its a fab rug :(
 
Can't offer any advice on the current situation but would concur with those who recommend Rambo / Horseware rugs. I've had a lightweight which has lasted nearly 6 years and only reproofed once. i know they are expensive but honestly think they are well worth the money.
 
Original green Rambo and Power Bucas are the only lightweights I have found that don't leak in heavy rain.

I was advised not to get rugs washed too often though.
 
I'm not sure I'd bother again. Must admit for the prices charged I was expecting better when I had a rug washed and repaired. I thought the 2 small rips (smaller than a 5p) would be sealed neatly and perhaps a small patch sewn on and the seams sealed, but instead a chunky 6" square section of new waterproof fabric has been stitched on the rug, through all layers, but the original rip and the seams haven't been sealed so it leaks through.

I only got it repaired because I took it to be cleaned and re-proofed prior to getting the sewing machine out, and she said they could repair it and I thought having professionals do it they'd do a neater job than me! I was going to unpick the seam at the edge, sew on the patch to the waterproof layer, seal the underside and the top of the seams, then re-sew the edge. I did the 2 necks (can get them in washing machine!) and they're fine, don't leak at all. I used the Nik wax spray. I think I'd pick a hot sunny day and get the pressure washer out to wash the rugs, then hang them to dry.
 
The rug company are saying that the older rugs are the less they are able to withstand washing and re-proofing - this is true to some degree. Lots does depend on the quality of the fabric they are made from. Rugs also weaken with horses rolling and sunlight etc. This is fact as advised by Nikwax themselves to me when I started. I only use Nikwax products and so far havent had any problems. If the rug material starts to soften then chances are it wont stand up to much more washing and re-proofing, they are much like our coats when they have had several washes. If they thought the material wouldnt stand it they should have rung you, I would and then the decision to go ahead is yours. Im not a great fan of Premier Equine rugs, they are very heavy when wet. The heavier the denier the more waterproof rugs tend to be, Rambo/Horseware for example are excellent quality. My own Duo has lasted 5yrs and not leaked after being washed and re-proofed several times. My own Amigo 600d rug (summer turnout) has in fact withstood heavy rain and never leaked. Unfortunately, rugs and washing isnt clear cut as to whether they will withstand heavy rain, it would be lovely to have a crystal ball - would make life easier for sure.!

Speak to whoever did your rug, they may offer you a refund!
 
I have a range of Horseware rugs of various ages Amigo-Rambo. The only ones that have ever leaked are ones that have been reproofed by someone else. I wash them frequently in plain water and reproof occasionally with Nixwax.
I have just bought a second hand one off of e-bay, I will leave it out in the rain, if it leaks I will rinse and reproof it myself.
 
I dutifully sent all mine off for washing and reproofing this year as they were seriously filthy - the old Mark Todd HW is still holding up, but the newer Axiom MW leaks round all the seams now. I know it is a cheap rug, but I would expect it to be ok for one wash and reproof?! In addition to the other rugs mentioned as being good, my Slumberdown LW is doing really well, as it has withstood the efforts of an inveterate rug ripper as well as still being waterproof!
 
I give all mine a scrub with a stiff brush and warm water then hose them off, then they go to a friend who repairs them, I then apply reproofer, 3 times, leaving quite a bit of time between each coat! I have an old hoover that I use to get the haqir off the inside!

Seems to work well, never sent them away to be done, too blinkin' expensive when you have 5 horses......
 
I've just had the same thing happern to me!! Now Im trying to dry a soaking wet rug!! It got wash and reproof last year!! The neck is soak with patches of wet on the rug!! Grrhh!
 
I have to agree with all the other horseware rug owners. Personally I would never buy any other rug I have always bought Horseware rugs and even the older ones never leaked. I don't reproof mine just wash them and have never had a problem . I bought the Duo and I wash it myself in my washer with nikwax rug wash and this saves expense of having it professionally cleaned each year.

Someone told me Horseware rugs have the waterproofing on the underside so in theory there is no need to reproof - just don't put them in the tumbledrier as my friend had done because it had dissolved the waterproofing.
 
I repaired tears in my rugs with a tube of clear all-purpose glue and it worked brilliantly. No patches to be attached, nothing. Hold the lips of the tear together and apply a line of glue which overlaps the both edges. Once it is dry put another broader line over the top making sure it goes beyond the start and finish of the tear so that it can't spread, and bobs your uncle. I never had any problems afterwards and the rugs remained watertight.
 
I have had rugs re-proofed, which didn't work, so now I only use it as a spare and wind protection.

My current rain sheet, IS 100% waterproof. I haven't washed it, I give it a good brush and hang it in the sunshine. The horse doesn't care whether it is washed, and will roll in it first time anyway.
 
i never wash the outer of turnout rugs in anything except lukewarm water to take the mud off.

then spray with nik wax re-proofer.

i do the greasy inside with water and tiny dab of horse shampoo.

the only rugs i send away are stable rugs and hairy fleeces :)

my LW are amigo and do leak a bit in places if its torrential for hours but *normal rain* doesnt penetrate, only the biblical downpour sort!!!!!!!!!!
 
I have to agree with people who are recommending Amigos - I'm on my fifth winter with a L/W and it's as waterproof now as the day I bought it. And I wash it in the washing machine with non-bio powder on the baby cycle* and it's never been reproofed in it's life!

*Have to recommend machines with a baby cycle - I thought when we bought it, it was gentle, but it's not - it takes forever because agitates the load loads more and it rinses about three times as often as a normal cycle. When you think it was designed to wash nappies, stable stains are a doddle!
 
Not meaning to be rude, but, are you certain it leaked and that it was not sweat, as the weather is warm. This is a common mistake, but I am sure you are sensible enough to know.


Dons tin helmet. Please do not take offence at this question.
 
My Horseware, Bucas, Fal and Mark Todd rugs don't ever leak. Even the ones that are over 10 years old. I bought two L/W Weatherbeeta rugs and they both leaked so badly on the first very rainy day that the horses were soaking wet and the rugs heavy with water. Never used them again.
 
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