u/Subject_Asparagus411

Hi all,

I recently picked up an early-2000s Italian Marina Militare rucksack (roughly 120L, lots of compartments). Overall condition is good, but the internal PU coating has degraded and the whole inside is tacky. It's worst in the pocket under the lid — presumably the most sun- and heat-exposed panel. It doesn't flake, peel or shed, and it's still glossy rather than milky white, so it seems more like the film has gone soft than fully hydrolysed. It leaves no residue on your hands, just makes them slightly sticky.

What I've tried so far:

• Airing it out for several days with all pockets open — no real change
• Mild soap and water — no change to the tackiness
• 90% isopropyl on a microfibre cloth — no change

On the nylon (darker material) sections I can get the coating off with an abrasive sponge and IPA. On the Cordura it's much harder — the weave seems to hold onto it and I can't get it to lift.

I'm not concerned about keeping it waterproof, I'll be using a separate rain cover. I just want the interior usable for carrying camera gear.

Any advice on removing it from heavier Cordura specifically? Or is there a way to restore rather than strip it? Also curious whether anyone has re-coated one of these afterwards, and whether it's worth it.

Thanks!

Hi all,

I recently picked up an early-2000s Italian Marina Militare rucksack (roughly 120L, lots of compartments). Overall condition is good, but the internal PU coating has degraded and the whole inside is tacky. It's worst in the pocket under the lid — presumably the most sun- and heat-exposed panel. It doesn't flake, peel or shed, and it's still glossy rather than milky white, so it seems more like the film has gone soft than fully hydrolysed. It leaves no residue on your hands, just makes them slightly sticky.

What I've tried so far:

• Airing it out for several days with all pockets open — no real change
• Mild soap and water — no change to the tackiness
• 90% isopropyl on a microfibre cloth — no change

On the nylon (darker material) sections I can get the coating off with an abrasive sponge and IPA. On the Cordura it's much harder — the weave seems to hold onto it and I can't get it to lift.

I'm not concerned about keeping it waterproof, I'll be using a separate rain cover. I just want the interior usable for carrying camera gear.

Any advice on removing it from heavier Cordura specifically? Or is there a way to restore rather than strip it? Also curious whether anyone has re-coated one of these afterwards, and whether it's worth it.

Thanks!

Hi all,

I recently picked up an early-2000s Italian Marina Militare rucksack (roughly 120L, lots of compartments). Overall condition is good, but the internal PU coating has degraded and the whole inside is tacky. It's worst in the pocket under the lid — presumably the most sun- and heat-exposed panel. It doesn't flake, peel or shed, and it's still glossy rather than milky white, so it seems more like the film has gone soft than fully hydrolysed. It leaves no residue on your hands, just makes them slightly sticky.

What I've tried so far:

• Airing it out for several days with all pockets open — no real change
• Mild soap and water — no change to the tackiness

On the nylon (darker green) sections I can get the coating off with an abrasive sponge and IPA. On the Cordura it's much harder — the weave seems to hold onto it and I can't get it to lift.

I'm not concerned about keeping it waterproof, I'll be using a separate rain cover. I just want the interior usable for carrying camera gear.

Any advice on removing it from heavier Cordura specifically? Or is there a way to restore rather than strip it? Also curious whether anyone has re-coated one of these afterwards, and whether it's worth it.

Thanks!