Cleaning the M-65 Field Jacket
- Thread starter billarch
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Red Flag 1
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I've had M-65 jackets since I entered the service in '69. I'm not sure if I've been doing the right thing, but they have been laundered right along with other clothing articles in washing machines with no problems. I do open the collar, and pull the hood out for laundering. The M-65 has proven to be easy to care for, and quite durable. With the button in quilted lining, it is relatively warm too.
Yep. There's really nothing special in terms of it, I don't even think it honestly has any insulation that I ever noticed... unless you counted a smoking jacket. Regular laundering and preferably letting it drip dry outside on a clothesline would most likely get any mildew/old gear funk to go away.
Zip up all the zippers, snap all the snaps, button all the buttons and throw it in the wash, pre-soak it, warm water and a good detergent with an added scent like ocean mist etc. Normal cycle wash, normal spin with an extra cycle. If where you're located at has a lot of humidity right now (Which I doubt with it being winter currently) dry on low heat until completely dry. If not, hang it up unzip, unbutton, unsnap everything and let it air dry completely.
If it's lost some of it's water repellency (They were never designed to be water proof) and you need it back, 2 applications of Scotchgard. It won't waterproof it completely, but will shed moderate amounts of the wet stuff. And if you're thinking about using the new stuff Krylon came out with known as Neverwet, forget it. It can't be used on clothing.
If it's lost some of it's water repellency (They were never designed to be water proof) and you need it back, 2 applications of Scotchgard. It won't waterproof it completely, but will shed moderate amounts of the wet stuff. And if you're thinking about using the new stuff Krylon came out with known as Neverwet, forget it. It can't be used on clothing.
I think that this jacket may be one of the original 65's. It has no integral hood! I did find a button on hood for it however along with the quilted nylon liner. A pretty good deal for 40 bucks I thought.
I will give it a try tomorrow! Thanks!
Thanks! I was thinking of Scotchguard, but wasn't sure if it would work. I will give that a try also!
Really? Bleach??
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If it has the liner, remove it first before washing and separate it before washing.
Try the other methods first......and if you do use (Add) the bleach, a very very small amount, with the emphasis on SMALL.
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Can the liner be washed also, just separately from the jacket?
Gotcha, no gallon and a half of bleach!!!
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Yup. If you use the dryer, just don't dry it on hi heat. Use the lowest setting there is and fluff dry it.
Cool. Thanks for the info. It is much appreciated!
pardus
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Try a cup (8 oz) of vinegar in the prewash.
white vinegar works best, and a little baking soda (about 1/4 cup)
Brill
SOF Support
M-65...as in 1965?:-/ Oh sorry. Guess it should be: M-65...as in 1965? (Largest font available for the old folks.):-"
Today's modern Army doesn't need that old timey shit. We have GORE-TEX!!!
Today's modern Army doesn't need that old timey shit. We have GORE-TEX!!!
Which many soldiers and airmen don't know how to use. They don't realize GT doesn't insulate, so they don't wear any layers underneath, and then wonder why they are so cold.
Brill
SOF Support
They're taking it away from Joe anyway.
“Yeah, uh, these inderviderals who has chosen to wear these outfit,” said Mayfield. “They is just the damn thing. It be clear that they be laxadaiscal about they duty to preform. Any soldier who wear dis ting be a slacker. And any leader who wear dis ting be co-hersing his soldiers to slack awf.”
http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/12/soldiers-winter-gear-polartec/
Man...Seinfeld....
I didn't have battery acid. All I has was Muriatic acid so I dumped a gallon in the machine with the jacket. When it was done, all that came out was thread.....No, it was a joke, put battery acid in the machine.
I wear a black M-65 during the winter cause I like them. I take it to the dry cleaners and it turns out fine...
F.M.
F.M.
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