Hat Brush Question:

Captain D · Post by **Captain D** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:21 pm

Hello all!

I am hoping to get the "Protector," from B & L, and apply a faint misty spray over my Adventurebilt Beaver felt Indy hat in the coming weeks.

However, I applied a tad of the fullers earth onto the hat. And before I apply the "Protector" onto my hat I'll probably try to remove some of the fullers earth before-hand. I'm kinda new at the hat hobby, and this is probably a dumb question to ask, but what kind of brush would y'all recommend in helping to remove some of the fullers earth? I know that the AB is one tough hat, yet, I just want to make sure that I don't damage the felt whatsoever with anything too harsh....

I have a horsehair brush, that is semi-soft, and I thought that it would be best to ask the hat experts first with any advice or experiences in this situation...

Thank you for any help/suggestion!
Kind Regards,
Captain D

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:24 pm

I'm curious to know more about hat brusher aswell

keep me updated

The real Henry · Post by **The real Henry** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:31 pm

First I think no question is dumb!

And sorry I'm no brush expert, but my experience is that the best thing to clean a hat with is a (this is no joke!) hoover!

I have a Federation, which was full of dust, and it worked perfectly! So I think you shouldn't worry about the brush!

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:32 pm

The real Henry wrote:First I think no question is dumb!

And sorry I'm no brush expert, but my experience is that the best thing to clean a hat with is a (this is no joke!) hoover! I have a Federation, which was full of dust, and it worked perfectly! So I think you shouldn't worry about the brush!

i could have NEVER in my life thought to that

i might try anyway

The real Henry · Post by **The real Henry** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:36 pm

Do it you won't have bad results! TRUST ME! :!:

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 7:11 pm

Yep, we had to figure that out after the last QM...McFly used a bit too much Fullers on his hat, I believe.

Just to be safe, I'd start w/ the tool attachments w/ brushes on the ends, before you try the others...just in case getting it stunk on the end of one of those causes a 'hickey'.

(Oh, and please, use the tools...don't put it on the floor and run over it.

)

Indiana George · Post by **Indiana George** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 7:37 pm

great..now you tell me.

George

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 10:37 pm

Michaelson is the resident expert on hat brushes, among other things.

A hat brush is the way to go. I fear a vacuum may be a bit too traumatic and may pucker the felt if you are not careful. Gentle brushing will clean most hats.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:26 am

I stand corrected. Sit, actually. Well, really, I'm perched on the chair kind of like a big gooney bird...

...corrected, anyway. I guess my 'hickey' fears weren't so far off after all...

Thanks, Hemingway! (George, put the DustDevil down!)

Indiana George · Post by **Indiana George** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:42 am

When I found my vintage hat at the store I didn't want to wear it till I cleaned it (60 years old germs scare me) So I bought a can of brand name carpet cleaner spray, you know the foam kind that goes on like a foam and then you let it air dry and then vacuum, well that's what I did and it came out very clean. When it dried, I vacuumed it with that round bristly vacuum attachment. I didn't create that much suction but lifted up the remaining dirt well.. And I don't believe it shrunk the hat one bit. It worked for me but some felts may differ.

George

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:48 am

*phew*

Good to hear...I was picturing a vintage hat stuffed half up a vacuum tube and hearing 'JEEEEEERRRRRRRRYYYYYYY' echoing off the mountains...

marco polo · Post by **marco polo** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 4:28 am

I've been using one of those sticky rollers you buy at the dollar

store to clean my hat, works pretty good.

Demented Wookie · Post by **Demented Wookie** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:18 am

I use a big shoe brush on mine, and so far so good.
-Chewie

Captain D · Post by **Captain D** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:00 pm

Hey guys!

Thank you for all of the "interesting" replies, lol,

. I appreciate all of your suggestions/tips/ideas!

I may start with the simple brush, like Hemingway & the Wookie suggested, go gently on it and then go from there if need be....

Thank you again guys for the replies!

High Regards,
Captain D

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 4:40 am

If the sticky brush works, then you should be able to try the old tape trick, too. (Wrap tape around your hand, sticky side out. Overlap to make a big wide band. Keep it loose so it rolls around your hand. Use hand like a brush on hat.)