Abstract: A process for providing a water repellent substrate comprising: providing a dispersion in a liquid of discrete-length microfibers comprising a material adapted to be fluid under the processing conditions to be used; applying the dispersion to the substrate; optionally removing liquid from the microfibers and substrate or allowing the liquid to dry; and subjecting the microfibers to processing conditions under which the material is at least partly fluid, such that the microfibers deform to provide adhesion of microfibers with other microfibers, adhesion of the microfibers with the substrate or a mixture of adhesion with other microfibers and with the substrate.