Can I Nikwax A Down Jacket

[RedLeader]

I have a rather elderly down jacket that has served me well (The North Face 750 fill, about 7 years old). It's a bit frayed about the edges but it does me for tooling around town. Only thing is it's not even remotely waterproof and I'm not sure that it ever was. Question is if I gave it a once over with Nikwax (the spray, not the wash in stuff) would it a) be waterproof to a degree and b) not damage the jacket?

[polroger]

Nikwax down proof is the stuff.  Just did my Mountain Equipment jacket and it did a great job.  Wouldn't say it was totally waterproof (no under water adventures) but the water did bead during a couple of sharp showers.

http://www.nikwax.co.uk/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=103&itemid=-1&fabricid=-1

[RedLeader]

For goodness sake, how many different Nikwax products are there, bet they're all the same solution with a different label and price.

Would there be a specific reason I can't use the standard stuff:

[polroger]

Tx is really for Goretex - would be worried that it might affect the down??

[Kayakgirl]

Use the down wash and the down tech wash. It will clean and reproof your jacket.