 Re-proofing aquatexx
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My main bivvy is an Aqua Union Jack M3 version. I use it with either the Super Extended overwrap for France or long stay , the standard extended wrap for UK winter fishing a stripped back version for summer fishing. Judging by my 2006 catalogue it must be around 19-20 years old and still giving good service. It’s been cleaned once and reproofed 3 times. I recently bought 2 replacement overwraps ( cheers Chuffy) as spares because the price was too good to ignore and both of these have been cleaned and reproofed and are 100%.
I also have an Aqua ‘Blue Label’ original MK2 Armo which is easily 20 years plus, nearer 25 years old. Again a good waterproof bivvy that has also been cleaned a couple of times and reproofed 3 times. I only clean by hand with a sponge and apply Fabsil Gold with an atomised sprayer.
As long as the water is beading and not flat and making the fabric dark, plus the seams are tight then you’re good to go anywhere, any weather.
I reckon spending around £400 on 2 bivvies and accessories over 25 years to be acceptable 😎
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In reply to Post #10
I replaced it this spring with this, it’s a Koala Tackle ‘Abode 1 man pramhood bivvy’. It’s not as good as the Vision, but it will do the job I bought it for. It has a large rear vent, which is nice. It cost £140. Really the only other 3 rib options (much stronger that more easily obtainable 2 rib options) were a larger footprint one from Quest, or a couple of Westlake ones from Go-Outdoors. I think if I had to buy again, I’d go for the Westlake one with the removable peak (essential in big winds).
Here is the Abode one I got.
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In reply to Post #9
I bought this ‘Ultimate Vision’ mk1 armadillo copy 16 years ago, purely to use if it was blowing a hoolie on my usual 300 acre lake, just so I didn’t destroy my main expensive bivvy (whatever that was at the time?). I think Jim Shelley might have been endorsing their tackle at the time? It was rated at 5000HH, it had front vents but no rear vents, I never reproofed it ever, but I tell you what, it was the nuts and pegged down absolutely solid! It finally died last year, not structurally, it just started leaking and I couldn’t be bothered to reproof it after all these years. It cost me £85 back in the day. I’d buy one again tomorrow if they still did them!
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In reply to Post #3
I completely agree with you.
The Aqua Products original Armadillo and the Aqualite are two of the best bivvy’s ever created.
The Armadillo is 5.5kg, compact pack size and bombproof.
The Aqualite is 3.5kg, fits in a narrow quiver.
Many are still in use and I can’t believe no company has produced anything as good since?
Absolutely bizarre.
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In reply to Post #1
I use a plastic takeaway container and a sponge to apply Fabsil.
Works perfectly.
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In reply to Post #3
I'm quite looking forward to using it. There was never actually a reason to stop either.
I'm sure it will be better than the frontier, but to be fair so would an old bit of tarp
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4626 |  | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #1
Fabsil tent & gear cleaner to clean first, then Fabsil Gold to re-proof. Weather atm is perfect for this . . erect bivvy properly / as taught as possible then
1 - Douse bivvy with garden hose
2 - Use old credit card to scrape off big blobs of mud / insects etc
3 - Apply cleaner to each panel and rub clean with sponge. A sponge with a mildy abraisive side (not a scouring pad) helps with stubborn dirt / stains
4 - Rinse off thoroughly and let bivvy dry out fully
5 - Get a cheap gardening atomiser (the cheap hand pressure jobbies are more expensive and don't actually work as well) and fill will Fabsil Gold from a 1l tin
6 - Apply Fasil evenly and sequentially to each panel with atomiser making sure you spray into seams etc and use a large microfibre cloth to rub in gently ensuring each panel is saturated (remove any over-runs etc)
7 - Allow to dry fully . . .job done
8 - If you have a skull cap do this first then remove before you do the main bivvy.
9 - If you have an infill its actually easier to unzip this and lay it out flat to ensure its treated evenly and also dries out quicker
Fabsil do a 'tent care' kit with all products for £20 ish from B&Q
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In reply to Post #3
I really wish pramhood bivvys were still a popular option. Hardly any companies make them nowadays.
On Friday I was looking at my original Frontier (2000's model) and thinking just that, well ahead of it's time with the quick lock joints!
On the Fabsil Gold front, thinking about it, the reason I must have it is my V2 Air (Aquatex). Sad when it's been so long since you used something that you forget why 😂🙁
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In reply to Post #3
Just searched again, bizarre, now it says I can use Fabsil, all's well that ends well...if it's true 😂
Yes, you can use Fabsil on Aquatexx (the high-performance breathable material used for fishing bivvies and shelters), but standard Fabsil Universal Protector is generally preferred over Fabsil Gold. Standard Fabsil contains crucial UV inhibitors to protect the fabric from sun degradation, whereas Fabsil Gold is a heavier concentrated silicone without those added UV blockers
EDIT, a old thread on the subject
LINKY POO™ https://www.carpforum.co.uk/Shared/Messages.asp?TopicID=418601&ReadAll=1
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In reply to Post #1
Fabsil gold I believe.
I really wish pramhood bivvys were still a popular option. Hardly any companies make them nowadays.
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After giving up with and returning a fox frontier (i really should have known better) , and refusing to pay 1k for a trakker bivvy, im going to get the v3 armo out for a 2 week trip to france
I haven't used it for at least 5 years so want to re-proof it.
What product should I be using on an aquatexx bivvy?
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