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  Oct. 5, 2010 2:04 p.m. rcl4668 New Reader

  I have a 2007-vintage Stand 21 suit that I have generally cleaned/deoderized by just soaking in tepid water with a gentle cleaner like Woolite. Afte a few years' worth of dirt, this ain't cutting it and I would liketo dry clean to get these stains out. I have heard, however, that certain dry clean processes can greatly reduce the fire resistance of the fibers. Does anyone know the name of a safe chemical or dry cleaning process for driving suits so I can ask local dry cleaners if they use it? The alternative is, I suppose, to just wear the stains as a badge of honor.

  Thanks for your help!

  /Rich

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  Oct. 5, 2010 2:18 p.m. rob_lewis Dork

  http://www.moleculelabs.com/

  I use it on my son's kart suits (which are not Nomex, but should work on them too) and it works great.

  It's pricey, but worth the money. The spot cleaner works best if you let it sit a little while and gently rub it with a soft brush before washing.

  -Rob

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  Oct. 5, 2010 2:37 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

  and here I was expecting to hear about how certain stains ended up where

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  Oct. 5, 2010 2:49 p.m. mistanfo SuperDork

  I second the molecule labs stuff. I used to sell it, and it was one of the few products that people would come back to me, to tell me that they were genuinely happy with the results.

  I generally wash mine using woolite in the machine on the gentle cycle. Then again, I only fuel, and there is someone with a 25lb fire bottle pointed at me the whole time.

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  Oct. 5, 2010 5:16 p.m. midliferally None

  In reply to rcl4668: Most suits require dry cleaning by the care label. I clean suits for all types or racers, and have found dry cleaning to be satisfactory for most stain removal although circle track guys keep me on my toes. I use a solvent called DF2000, and it's widely used by most "modern" dry cleaners. The term "dry cleaning" means the absence of water. Why would you think manufactures would specify dry cleaning and it be ok to wash suits? Full disclosure: I own a cleaners.

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  Oct. 5, 2010 8:20 p.m. fastmiata Reader

  I have always "dry cleaned" both of my driving suits. Helps to keep them fresh and unstained. A little bit of a smell when you first take it out of the bag but worth it in my book.

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  Oct. 5, 2010 8:35 p.m. dean1484 Dork

  Your suposed to wash them?

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  Oct. 6, 2010 9:21 a.m. midliferally New Reader

  No, I don't recommend it. The care label says the preferred method for cleaning. It would either be because the colors would bleed in water possibly or the flame retardant treatment is water soluable. Either way, I wouldn't chance it. Fastmiata, I would change cleaners. There should be no disernable odor after dry cleaning. Its a function of how efficiently their machine is operating. If there is a smell, remove from plastic bag, air outside for a few hours.

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  Oct. 6, 2010 11:16 a.m. spitfirebill Dork

  I don't think (!) the fire resistance of Nomex comes from a chemical treatment applied to a fiber that you can wash off. It do believe it is the fiber itself (an aramid) that is fire resistant.

  As much as I used to dispise DuPont, they do make some good E36 M3.

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  Oct. 6, 2010 12:03 p.m. Paul_VR6 Reader

  Nomex fabric is inherently flame resistant, it's not a coating that can come off. Very sure of this.

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  Nov. 11, 2010 10:42 a.m. K1RaceGear New Reader

  Yes you are correct Paul about the Nomex material. It is the Proban suits that lose their fire retardant after many washes if not dry cleaned. Also a good idea when you wash suits is to close the velcro straps. This will avoid any snagging while washing.

  Richard

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  Nov. 11, 2010 11:49 a.m. 44Dwarf Dork

  I've got a G-force 3 layer suit (nomex). I called them to asked about cleaning. I was told zip up and fasten all velcro, turn inside out. Wash in warm water with "ALL FREE AN CLEAR" or other non sented no colored liquid soap.

  But best to call your suits MFG

  44

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  Nov. 11, 2010 11:58 a.m. Woody SuperDork

  If you do use a machine instead of dry cleaning (check the label) either air dry or dry it on very low heat.

  I'm a career firefighter and we have special cool air driers for our Nomex stuff. You don't want to expose the Nomex to any more heat cycles than necessary.

  Maybe you could stop into your local firehouse and ask if they can toss it in with their next load.

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  Nov. 11, 2010 7:20 p.m. 44Dwarf Dork

  My dryer has a temp knob with "Air Fluff" setting

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  Nov. 12, 2010 2:21 p.m. K1RaceGear New Reader

  As a manufacturer we recommend the same (zip up the suit and close all the velcro) but to wash in cold water and let hang to air dry.

  I think most of the suit manufacturers all recommend pretty close to the same.

  Richard

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  Nov. 12, 2010 7:23 p.m. fifty Reader

  I have a Sparco suit - my dry cleaner ( who is a dirt tracker) said wash it in the bath tub with some Woolite. A lot of the stains came out, the rust / iron rich dirt did not.

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  March 25, 2011 3:57 p.m. mjharris

  I spray my junior drag racing twin boys racing suits with M-111. This is a non corrosive, non irritating and non toxic flame retardant. I pre treat the stains with Shout and wash their suits in the washing machine on a regular wash cycle. I dry their race suits in the dryer and when dry I spray each suit with M-111. I feel confident that if they crash and burn they will not suffer 2nd degree burns as this product does not support combustion. They have a demonstration of their product here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVp7joTvIaA&feature=related

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  March 25, 2011 6:51 p.m. jimbbski Reader

  You can wash any Nomex suit. The label on most suits to dry clean is more for preserving the color or look of the suit. I had a Simpson that I washed many times. The only thing that happen was the color faded on the pockets, and they were made of some material other then Nomex! The suit has been replaced but I still have it and it's over 20 yrs old and still looks nearly new! My newer Simpson suit I only dry cleaned per the label and that seemed to effect the suit more the washing the other one.

  I now have a Sparco as I don't fit the other two Simpson suits, (I hate getting older!). It says to dry clean.

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  March 25, 2011 7:11 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

  

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