How To Re-Treat Wax Cotton Canvas Products

Care Instructions for your McAlister Wax Cotton Clothing
Waxed cotton is a unique high-performance fabric. It is made by weaving two-ply cotton yarn into a strong canvas fabric, which is then treated with our own pharmaceutical food-grade wax, not a parafin wax. Our unique wax has no smell and does not produce the excessive oily feel common with some wax cotton fabrics. This wax treatment makes the fabric highly water-resistant and wind-resistant, while still maintaining the breathability of the cotton.

The proper care and treatment of your waxed cotton garment will ensure its longevity. When you are not wearing your garment, always be sure to hang it in a well-ventilated area. Dried mud, sand, grit and dirt should be removed as soon as possible, as it will have an abrasive effect on the waxed cotton. It is also important to re-treat the wax on your waxed cotton garment as needed.

Cleaning
Regular cleaning not only enhances the appearance of your garment but removes mud and debris that can cause premature wear. Regular cleaning also prevents dirt build-up from becoming irremovable stains.

- REMOVE dried mud, blood, and grit as soon as possible especially along seams, as these are abrasive. - HOSE OFF or SPONGE WIPE with cold water only. If dirt is ground in, gently brush it off with a soft bristled brush and then rinse. - HANG TO DRY naturally and completely for at least 24 hours in a dry, well-ventilated area. - RE-TREAT the entire garment after cleaning.

DO NOT dry clean • Machine wash ONLY if absolutely necessary in COLD WATER on GENTLE CYCLE • DO NOT tumble dry (no dryer) • Use ONLY mild soap or detergent • DO NOT use solvents or bleach • DO NOT iron or starch • DO NOT force dry or expose to a direct flame • DO NOT expose to direct sunlight for a long period of time (such as rear car window).

Doing any of these will damage or remove the wax treatment and will void the garment’s warranty.

Re-Treating
Most waxed cotton garments will need regular re-treatment (commonly called "reproofing") within the second year of use if worn frequently, or even sooner if you notice that the coat is drying out due to exposure to the elements. Uneven, shiny or dry areas, or where moisture no longer beads, is a good indicator to reproof those specific areas. It is not necessary to reproof the entire garment unless it has been washed.

By re-treating your waxed cotton jacket, you can bring back its original water-resistant finish. On top of prolonging the life of your jacket, reproofing will also revive the fabric’s color and help to prevent holes from forming along the seams of your jacket. McAlister makes a re-treatment product in both a Spray-On Wax and a Wax Paste treatment. The Spray-On treatment is easy to use and is highly recommended for newcomers to the process of re-treating waxed cotton garments. The Wax Paste treatment is ideal for spot treatments or for users that have experience in re-treating waxed cotton garments.

Spray-On Wax Treatment Instructions:
- Be sure the garment is CLEAN and DRY.
- You will need approximately one can of spray per item.
- Place the item on a clothes hanger.
- This process needs to be done outside or in a garage with plenty of ventilation.
- Hold the can 6-8" from the surface of the garment and start at the top of the garment and work your way down.
- Spray both the front and back of the garment.
- Pay special attention to seams along the sleeves and back of garment, as well as areas that show signs of high wear.
- Allow the garment to hang in a well-ventilated area for at least 12 hours.
- After drying, inspect the garment for any areas that still appear shiny or dry and spray a small amount of the wax to touch up the area.

Wax Paste Treatment Instructions:
- Be sure that the garment is CLEAN and DRY.
- Lay it on a flat surface and apply the cream sparingly with a soft, lint-free cotton cloth.
- Try using a hair dryer to WARM the cream on the cloth and on the garment as you apply it. This will make the application easier and more uniform.
- SPREAD CREAM EVENLY, working it into the fabric in a circular motion. DO NOT coat the surface too thickly or it will not be able to absorb it all. Seams and worn areas will require more cream.
- WIPE OFF EXCESS cream and hang garment to dry for at least 12 hours in a well-ventilated area.
- The next day, spread out any excess oil not absorbed. Apply more cream to areas that still appear shinny or dry.

Special Notes
Avoid contact between waxed cotton and pale-colored leather car seats. As a precaution only, we recommend that you do not wear garments on seats for the first couple of weeks after purchase or after re-treating. Once the natural weathering process begins, the garment will feel dryer and softer and it will then be safe to resume normal use.

How to Store Your Wax Cotton Garment
To ensure the longevity of your wax cotton coat or jacket, be sure to only store clean, perfectly dried re-treated garments. Items stored when they are not completely dry or stored in a humid area may develop mildew. Once stored, regularly inspect your garment for mildew or mildew-indicating smell to prevent damage from occurring to your garment. To store your coat or jacket:

- Hang it in a dry, cool and well-ventilated space, or
- Fold and roll your garment for storage in a dry, cool and well-ventilated space.