Is it possible to add dry treatment to a rope?

I was out climbing the other day, and didn't mind that it began to rain. Not a big deal, but my rope got soaked, and weighed a ton. Pulling it up to center my rope for a rappel was godawful. Does anyone know if it's possible to dry treat/ re-treat a rope at home?

google.com/webhp?sourceid=c…

caribouman1052 wrote:I was out climbing the other day, and didn't mind that it began to rain. Not a big deal, but my rope got soaked, and weighed a ton. Pulling it up to center my rope for a rappel was godawful. Does anyone know if it's possible to dry treat/ re-treat a rope at home?

Yes, but a non dry core will wet out.

Nylon absorbs a lot of water, so dry ropes are nice to have. But if it's really wet, even a dry core rope will weight a lot after being soaked.

Ray, thanks for the link. That's exactly what I was looking for.

J., I'm looking for whatever improvement I can get. Check out the link that Ray posted, it's interesting.

I'm going to try the Tech Wash & Rope Proof method, and see what happens. I'll let everyone know.

caribouman1052 wrote:Ray, thanks for the link. That's exactly what I was looking for. J., I'm looking for whatever improvement I can get. Check out the link that Ray posted, it's interesting. I'm going to try the Tech Wash & Rope Proof method, and see what happens. I'll let everyone know.

II've used the rope proof, it definitely helps but more for dry ice days (cold days on ice and snow, vs warm days). If it rains, or you are doing canyoneering or something where it's soaking in water, don't expect miracles. Then again, dry core ropes get pretty nasty when factory new when doing that stuff too.

J Serpico said: If it rains, or you are doing canyoneering or something where it's soaking in water, don't expect miracles.

+1. Ive after-market dry treated multiple ropes and it does help/work a bit for sure. In my experience it doesnt last long and your rope will still absorb plenty of water. It seemed to help most by delaying abrasions, by protecting the sheath a little more and therefore preserving it somewhat.

Yeah, not really looking for miracles. More of a "due diligence". I kind felt like I was faced with a problem that I might be able to do something about, and thought someone might have come up with a dry treatment during the years I took off from climbing.

Pulling my rope up wasn't actually that bad, it was just more work than it might have been. And, since there is no way I'm letting weather keep me from climbing (I'm in Washington. If we wait for good weather, we'll never climb) I figure I'd ask.

caribouman1052 wrote:I'm going to try the Tech Wash & Rope Proof method, and see what happens. I'll let everyone know.

Don't waste your money, wash-in dry treatments don't work.