Does a quilt protector need to have DWR?

**Mouseskowitz** · 12-07-2013, 11:20

I'm looking at using 2nds from DIY Gear Supply to make a quilt protector. It just has a plain finish and I'm wondering if that is enough for splash protection or if I need to use something like a Scotchguard DWR to add some water repellantcy?

**dangerous** · 12-07-2013, 11:25

I've made a wind shirt from plain finish nylon then added the spray on stuff and works pretty well at keeping the wind out.

**OutandBack** · 12-07-2013, 13:11

Originally Posted by Mouseskowitz

I'm looking at using 2nds from DIY Gear Supply to make a quilt protector. It just has a plain finish and I'm wondering if that is enough for splash protection or if I need to use something like a Scotchguard DWR to add some water repellantcy?

When we use DWR nylon it is not sprayed with that stuff.
DWR is a heat rolling process that ripstop nylon is ran threw slightly melting the fabric.

If your UQP is more for wind than splashing rain or frost. I'd say go for it.

hth

**Mouseskowitz** · 12-07-2013, 13:28

Originally Posted by OutandBack

When we use DWR nylon it is not sprayed with that stuff.
DWR is a heat rolling process that ripstop nylon is ran threw slightly melting the fabric.

If your UQP is more for wind than splashing rain or frost. I'd say go for it.

hth

I guess that's part of the problem, I'm not sure what all it will be for. I just switched from PLUQ to down. My butt is usually below the tarp, so wind is absolutely on the list. I don't recall any rain issues before, but a PL probably isn't all that sensitive to that type of thing. The DWR stuff is $2.10 a yard more, so the question is partially if the price premium is worth it? I don't want to save money now at the expense of redoing it later.

**OutandBack** · 12-07-2013, 13:32

Originally Posted by Mouseskowitz

I guess that's part of the problem, I'm not sure what all it will be for. I just switched from PLUQ to down. My butt is usually below the tarp, so wind is absolutely on the list. I don't recall any rain issues before, but a PL probably isn't all that sensitive to that type of thing. The DWR stuff is $2.10 a yard more, so the question is partially if the price premium is worth it? I don't want to save money now at the expense of redoing it later.

To me it would be worth the extra cost esp with down UQ.

**sclittlefield** · 12-07-2013, 15:15

Originally Posted by OutandBack

When we use DWR nylon it is not sprayed with that stuff.
DWR is a heat rolling process that ripstop nylon is ran threw slightly melting the fabric.

If your UQP is more for wind than splashing rain or frost. I'd say go for it.

hth

Not to butt in, but Calendaring is the heat rolling process, not DWR. DWR stands for Durable Water Repellant, and I would say you definitely need a water repellant fabric for a quilt protector - but spraying it yourself is a great solution.

**gdw** · 12-07-2013, 15:17

DWF, durable water repellent finish, is a coating applied to the fabric to make water droplets bead and run off. Calendaring is a process in which the fabric is run between heated rollers and slightly melted to make it more downproof, wind resistant, and water-resistant. Pure fabric has no coating and has not been calendared.

The olive green DIYgearsupply sells is calendared, has a dwf finish, and is the best choice for wind and spray protection. It's definitely worth the extra $2.10 per yard.

**OutandBack** · 12-07-2013, 15:19

Originally Posted by sclittlefield

Not to butt in, but Calendaring is the heat rolling process, not DWR. DWR stands for Durable Water Repellant, and I would say you definitely need a water repellant fabric for a quilt protector - but spraying it yourself is a great solution.

You are not butting in at all. Thanks for clarifying that.
I got my info from a fabric supply warehouse.

http://www.therainshed.com/UnctdRipstop.htm

Calendared ripstop. Durable water repellent finish, wind resistant, and light weight!
Use for clothing, sleeping bags, stuff sacks, wind shirts, tent sides

I don't think any of the HF vendor's offering a DWR item is spraying it with the product the OP listed.