Domke f-803 Wax rubbing off everywhere?!

W

wlfluvr

Newbie
Local time
3:16 PM
Joined
Apr 10, 2011
Messages
2
I recently bought the Domke f-803 waxwear version for my camera gear and have been using it quite often. I realized, though, that the wax/oil on the front of the bag seems to be rubbing of on the inside of the cover flap from opening and closing it repeatedly. I just wanted to know if anyone else who owns or has used this bag also experienced this. It kind of a bummer since it doesn't look too good and I've only been using the bag for a week now.
Any info would be great!
 
Waxed canvas changes appearance quite a bit over time. It starts to show scuffs, creases, etc, and it gets shiny in places. I like it, but it does look rougher than you might expect. Likely what is going on is normal.
 
I got a waxwear Domke bag for christmas and love the look.. I use it a lot, but I haven't experienced this problem either
 
You need to remember the environment that waxed cotton was designed for - damp, rainy, cool or chilly weather. Think Britian. In such climes, the wax stays where it's supposed to and does what it's supposed to - keep the wearer reasonably dry, keep the fabric waterpoof, semi-breathable, and somewhat briar proof.

It isn't designed for 80, 90, 100+ weather. At such temps and in the sun, the dark fabric warms up considerably and the wax becomes semi-liquid and will rub off anywhere on anything and will stain light coloured fabrics. This is best used in fall, mild winter, spring in the States.

If your jacket/bag shows light colored fabric in the creases, abraded wear, fraying at seams, etc - that means it's in dire need of re-waxing. Yeah - I know it adds character, but you're defeating the purpose of the wax - keeping you and/or your goodies reasonably dry. It also keeps the fabric pretty much briar proof. Besides, you shelled out extra $$ for the waxed version.

I usually re-wax my jackets in the summer when the days are 80+. The last thing I do after waxing is hang them outside in the sun to heat up so that I can do a final wipe down to get off the last remaining excess wax. Believe me - the summer sun will bring all that excess wax out overy nook and cranny and seam.

Chances are your Sacramento heat and sun is liquifing the wax, wicking it out of the cotton fabric and it's coming off on everything it touches. I know it has that "To The Manor Born" look about it, but at least use it when it's meant to be used and you won't look like a doofus with wax stains everywhere.
 
Last edited:
I've owned several Barbour coats and wax them when they start looking really dry. It's much eaiser when you heat the tin of oil in a pan of really hot water first. If it's rubbed in good, it doesn't rub off.
 
I think I remember seeing a can of Barbour re-waxing liquid being sold by them. Can you buy a can and DIY?
 
Wax? What? You mean all these years I have been just putting cameras in Domke bags and gadding about without following this crucial step? Is there secret waxing literature that I missed because I did not send in a warranty card or check some box? What is the wax for? Waterproofing? Looks? Wax-iness?

In all seriousness: whaaat?
 
Rob-F said:
How would it be for most of us to spray the canvas with Scotchguard instead?
Click to expand...
You'd do very well probably. I have four regular canvas Domke/Safrotto bags and my main one is a 23 yr. old F-2. I spray them with a product that's designed for waterproofing canvas tents - Nikwax TX.Direct. One spray and they're showerproof, three sprays and they're waterproof.

I spray heavily, hang the bag out in the sun to dry then run it in the dryer to finish the job. I was caught with the F-2 in a torrential downpour on the Sugarloaf mountain and the contents were completely dry. The bags don't look like they're waxed at all.
 
Benjamin Marks said:
Wax? What? You mean all these years I have been just putting cameras in Domke bags and gadding about without following this crucial step? Is there secret waxing literature that I missed because I did not send in a warranty card or check some box? What is the wax for? Waterproofing? Looks? Wax-iness?

In all seriousness: whaaat?
Click to expand...

Not all the Domke bags have what they call "waxwear." The waxwear models are waxed like Filson and Barbour jackets and game bags. The wax does several things - first it's absorbed by the fabric fibers and makes them swell to close the gaps in the weaving to prevent water from wicking through and it also provides a waterproof finish. It's a paraffin based wax that you heat to melt and rub into the fabric.
 
Are the waxwear ones made in the US? Just curious, a while back Fry's had boatloads of them at about 30% off the usual online prices, but I couldn't find a made in US tag like my other domkes.
 
I think the whole point of Domke doing a waxwear version is so it looks ratty and lived in quickly, there can't be another reason because a Barbour jacket looks like that pretty quickly as well.

But I'm not sure it will be the same Barbour type treatment, because with that you need to wash your hands very time you wear it for the first few months, the wax comes off, but as a grease, not good near cameras and lenses. So I wouldn't recommend Barbour re-proofing wax. What I would recommend is to spray it with water and see it is still water repellent where the wax has come off, it may simply be a surface coat that you need to get through before the bag settles down. If you find it does take some moisture NikWax is the best thing to use to re-proof it.

Steve
 
Question:
I have a Domke waxwear bag. Do I need to treat it with the wax that comes with it or is it already done initially and the wax is for retreating it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom