Bivvie Repaires

[jinx]

Hi guys and gals,

I've just bought an ex army bivvie bag of ebay which was advertised as a gortex one although there is no logo anywhere! (What is the correct spelling of bivvie anyway).

It is a bit smelly and has a few pin holes in it. Does any one have any advise on cleaning and repair of the pinholes? I assumed a gentle machine wash and some sort of rubber cement would do the trick, but then I thought I'd better just check with those more experienced souls.

Advise would be much appreciated.

Jinx

[Greg]

Hi guys and gals,

I've just bought an ex army bivvie bag of ebay which was advertised as a gortex one although there is no logo anywhere! (What is the correct spelling of bivvie anyway).

It is a bit smelly and has a few pin holes in it. Does any one have any advise on cleaning and repair of the pinholes? I assumed a gentle machine wash and some sort of rubber cement would do the trick, but then I thought I'd better just check with those more experienced souls.

Advise would be much appreciated.

Jinx

Yes the Army bivi bag is gore-tex, but it is of a lower grade than your big name gear manufacturers use.
Can I ask how much it cost you, because it sounds like you have got yourself a bit of a bum deal?
It sounds like it has had a lot of hard use in which case it probably won't do you much good.
What did the seller write in the description?
If the seller stated that it was in good condition then If I was you I would complain and ask for your money back!

[w00dsmoke]

If you are stuck with it...

hand wash in warm soapy water. Rinse well. Tumble dry on a hot heat and leave to cool down. You can for around a tenner buy goretex patches but If it is only pin holes I would dab on a tiny spot of silicone sealant /seam seal on and leave to dry. Do both sides.

Hope this helps

[jinx]

Hi Greg,

The bag cost £31.00 inc postage and was described as grade one and does appear in good condition. There are a few marks that look like milk was spilt on it, but no abrasion marks. The seller has said he wasn't aware of any holes and claimes the bag is unused.

I wonder if it has been stored some where for a while were an insect has nibbled, this would also explain the musty kind of smell I suppose.

Also the draw string pulles from the right side as you lie in it, all the pic's Iv'e seen seem to suggest they normally pull from the centre. Can you shed any light on that?

Cheers

Jinx

[Greg]

Hi Greg,

The bag cost £31.00 inc postage and was described as grade one and does appear in good condition. There are a few marks that look like milk was spilt on it, but no abrasion marks. The seller has said he wasn't aware of any holes and claimes the bag is unused.

I wonder if it has been stored some where for a while were an insect has nibbled, this would also explain the musty kind of smell I suppose.

Also the draw string pulles from the right side as you lie in it, all the pic's Iv'e seen seem to suggest they normally pull from the centre. Can you shed any light on that?

Cheers

Jinx

Ummm Ex Squaddie bag with white marks on it, are you sure it's milk and not something else!

As for the draw cord my bivi bag draw cord also pulls from the right and I was issued mine so I think your alright there.
If you intend to keep hold of the bag I would take WoodSmoke's advice!

[jinx]

Ummm Ex Squaddie bag with white marks on it, are you sure it's milk and not something else!:lmao:

As for the draw cord my bivi bag draw cord also pulls from the right and I was issued mine so I think your alright there.
If you intend to keep hold of the bag I would take WoodSmoke's advice!

Nooooooooo, I don't want to think about the marks any more!!!! But I will definitely follow WoodSmoke's advice now, as quick as possible.

I will also try the silicon or similar, I should have thought of that myself as I used to do a lot of subaqua diving in my youth. "Doh".

Thanks again guys

Jinx

[Greg]

Nooooooooo, I don't want to think about the marks any more!!!! But I will definitely follow WoodSmoke's advice now, as quick as possible.

I will also try the silicon or similar, I should have thought of that myself as I used to do a lot of subaqua diving in my youth. "Doh".

Thanks again guys

Jinx

Have I got you slightly worried there mate!

[Danceswithhelicopters]

40-ish gets you a brand new one from several places.
You coud send it back and add a bit of cash for a new one that you know its history.

[Greg]

40-ish gets you a brand new one from several places.
You coud send it back and add a bit of cash for a new one that you know its history.

I agree with you!

[Dunk]

i got a brand new one still in the wrapper for £35 inc P&P off ebay

send it back man

[saffy]

Aye, price was a bit steep which is something you do not want to hear I got mine recently from Strikeforce Supplies for 40 notes, it is issued but was unused so new condition like a lot of the stock. Bought the current issue green maggot at same time, great combination and has faired well out in Jan and Feb cold and rain.

I would repair pin and even larger holes with silicone sealant myself as it will form its own patch.

After washing is it not the case you need nikiwax the such a gortex bivvy? I have not come to having to wash mine yet so do not know, just presuming.

[Old Timer]

You can repair the pin holes with seam tape.
The bag can be washed by hand or in a machine, but use a non detergent soap (Nikwax).
Allow to dry and then a cool iron.
I do this with my bivvi bag and it comes out as good as new.

[Aragorn]

i've just received a bivvi bag i bought of evilbay, it's brand new, cost £35 inc p&p and at first was very pleased with it, but giving it a good look over i've spotted two small bubbles on the underneath. it looks like the inner and outer material have not stuck together properly when it was made, the largest bubble is aprox 5mm diameter. has anyone else ever come accross this and do you think it will compromise the operation of the bag, there are no holes in it so i think it should still be waterproof, would anyone know if this could be repaired. i don't know if its anything to be concerned with, i hav'nt emailed the seller yet as i don't know wheather i should return it or ask for a reduction in the rice if i know its not going to fail on me. pic of bubble below. any advice, opinions welcome

[w00dsmoke]

sorry to disagree guys but goretex really does benefit from a wash AND a tumble dry on a HIGH heat as it does something to the membrane to make it waterproof again.

Forget this cool iron stuff, tumble it on a high heat setting-go try it and see I do this every year with mine.