The wax jacket is one of the most quintessentially British garments around and while they can last a lifetime, they do require some care in order to ensure it remains as rugged and waterproof as when you first buy it. Thankfully it is quite easy to maintain your jacket yourself, which will ensure the longevity and versatility of your coat. An important part of this is to ensure that you rewax your jacket. Dependant on how much you use your jacket and the conditions in which you use it, this could be up to once a year. You can tell a jacket needs to be rewaxed by its appearance. If your jacket has become patchy and worn out in some areas but not others, this is a sign it is time to rewax the garment.
1: Clean your jacket:
Firstly you should wipe down your jacket with a dry, clean cloth to remove any loose dirt. Next wipe your jacket clean using cold water and a sponge. Do not use soap or chemicals, or put your jacket in the washing machine, and avoid using overly warm water. This is because the fabric used on the garment is impregnated with wax. While removing the top layer with cool water or significant use in wet weather will not cause long lasting issues, washing machines and chemicals can irrevocably change the fabric. After you have wiped the jacket down, allow it to dry naturally.
2: Soften the wax.
After your jacket has dried the next step is to soften the wax you will be applying to the jacket. The best way to do this is to remove the lid from your wax tin and and stand the tin in a container of warm water to allow the wax to soften into a liquid consistency.
3: Wax your jacket.
Using a clean cloth apply the softened wax to the jacket smoothing out any creases as you go to ensure you don't miss any areas and to work the wax into the fabric. Ensure you apply well to the seams as these are the natural spots most likely to let in water, as well as any dry and discoloured patches. Keep the tin of wax in the warm water while you work to ensure it stays at the correct consistency. While working be sure to stay away from areas that are not designed to be waxy, like any corduroy lining in the collar or sleeves as well as the inside of the jacket. Once you have applied the wax to the jacket, wipe away any access. You can use a hair drier to blend the wax and create a smooth finish but don't hold it too close.
4: Let your jacket dry.
After applying wax to your garment it's time to let it dry. It's best to let this happen overnight and keep the jacket away from other clothing and upholstery, as it's normal for your jacket to release excess wax for a while. If by the next morning your garment feels greasy, this is just oil that has wicked out of the fabric and can be wiped with a dry cloth.
How frequently you need to rewax your jacket depends on the frequency of use and the conditions. If you use the item regularly in heavy rain you will need to do it more frequently than if you use it in less wet conditions. For most users, rewaxing once a year should be ample.
