Fed IV plastic liner

morganswift · Post by **morganswift** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:03 pm

Hi All

Probably a very silly question but how are people removing the plastic liner from their Fed IVs? Are you cutting around the edge leaving a little plastic still sewn in? Or pulling all of it out? Does it serve any structural purpose?

Cheers
Alex

BazzanoJones · Post by **BazzanoJones** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:15 pm

I think plastic it's useful to avoid stain and dirt from hair grease.

morganswift · Post by **morganswift** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:20 pm

Yes, but I think it's making the hat a lot hotter than it need be. It's my first fedora - does removing the plastic make it considerably cooler? Is it the only fed out there with this plastic?

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:25 pm

Just remove the entire lining, then reinstall the lining this Fall when it cools back down. The plastic cap on the liner is part of the liner itself.

Keep in mind that the majority of a body's heat is vented through the top of the head. If it can't vent, you overheat. You better BELIEVE a plastic cap makes a hat hotter. Even the satin lining holds heat...but that said, it sure keeps your head nice and warm when the winter winds are howling!

By removing the lining during summer, I've found even my 100% beaver hats to be more managable during our hot, muggy summers here in the South.

Regards! Michaelson

BazzanoJones · Post by **BazzanoJones** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:33 pm

Almost all hats with satin-like liner have protective plastic sewed.
But I think there not a big cooler improvement if you remove it...the felt is warm by itself, and it isn't a summer hat (but I wear it anyway

).

I don't know for screen accuracy: I suppose that in a 1935 hat there wasn't any "plastic-stuff" into the hat...anibody knows?

BazzanoJones · Post by **BazzanoJones** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:34 pm

Sorry Michaelson...we've posted together.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:36 pm

There was. I have handled several 1930's Borsalino's with plastic like liners. Plastic was a new intention then, so exactly what they used is up for debate, but it was a standard insert to keep hair dressing from staining the stain lining of a high end hat.

Typing at the same time happens a lot around here.

Regards! Michaelson

morganswift · Post by **morganswift** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:47 pm

Many thanks! That's helpful. Looks as though I'll be looking to remove the whole lining rather than chopping out the plastic.

Would they have had cellophane back in the 30s, Michaelson (not that I'm suggesting for one moment you were there to witness it

). But then again I have no idea if cellophane is different from plastic. I guess plastic is a generic term anyway.

Cheers
Alex

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:56 pm

I believe that's the material, Alex, yes. I know the one's I've handled were VERY brittle, so celophane is definitely a contender.

Regard! Michaelson

morganswift · Post by **morganswift** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:13 pm

Seems likely - Cole Porter was writing about it in that era.

Quick google and cellophane was invented in 1908 when a Jacques E. Brandenberger observed a wine spill on a tablecloth and thought it'd be a good idea to make the cloth waterproof.

You learn something every day!

Cheers
Alex

Steve27752 · Post by **Steve27752** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:20 pm

Nah, get rid of the plastic! I cut it out as close as I could without causing damage to the `Satin`.
I will also remove the complete liner in the summer.
Steve

morganswift · Post by **morganswift** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:29 pm

A summer in the UK?! You're a bit optimistic aren't you?

Alex

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:42 pm

One can always hope!

Regards! Michaelson

Steve27752 · Post by **Steve27752** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:46 pm

I certainly hop we have a summer this year; it is the 3rd of June and we have had about a weeks sun in total!
We will soon start hoping for an Indian summer.
Steve

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:11 pm

We're into the 90's F, and it will stay that way until close to first frost in September or October.

Summers in the South....

Regard! Michaelson

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:34 pm

How can I clean the liner of my hat. I put it on after showing last night before I went out and my hair was still alittle wet. There is a water mark now and want to get it out. How can I do that? Is it even possible? Seeing as though the liners purpose is to keep the felt clean by it soaking up all the crud, I'm assuming it can be.

Dave

Africa Jones · Post by **Africa Jones** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:46 pm

With my Fed III, because of living in Portugal and taking it to Africa I cut the plastic liner out using sharp nail scissors: just pull it away from the satin liner, give it a tight crease and make the first cut, then follow the line of the stitch allowing a mm +/-. In very hot conditions the old plastic liner would make my scalp very sweaty and uncomfortable. Now it's not as bad, but still hot.

Hasn't affected structural integrity of the hat.

Africa

Shagbd · Post by **Shagbd** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:24 pm

I just used the little scissors on my Leatherman and pulled the plastic as i was cutting so there is NO VISABLE plastic left in the hat... its perfect...

looks better too

morganswift · Post by **morganswift** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:30 pm

Very tidy job, Shagbd! Guess in the end it comes down to personal taste. I'm going to see if I can get the whole liner out and leave the plastic intact.

Cheers
Alex

Piker · Post by **Piker** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:08 pm

What about Gore-Tex? Any hatter out there thought of using that as a liner?

It allows water vapor, and thus heat, out. Yet insulates against the cold and rain.