felt stiffener

manu7 · Post by **manu7** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:15 pm

does anyone know if it is possible to buy a stiffener? the at shop in my area has nothing. i have a crushable fedora that i got a decent bash in and what o keep it that way. i want to try and keep it that way and info would be grealy appreciated

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:19 pm

http://www.wardrobesupplies.com/store/m2_mjsupp.html

Scroll almost to the bottom of the page and you'll see Scout's.

I don't know anything about this company, but you can find it on a google search.

Regards! Michaelson

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:31 pm

great resource Michealson!

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:33 pm

Considering where they are, the prices aren't too bad, are they?

The stiffiner is only $7.99 a bottle, and that's what Steve has used on his AB's for years, as I recall.'

Regards! Michaelson

gabrielle · Post by **gabrielle** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:33 pm

https://www.noggintops.com/page.cfm?p=88

$9.00 at noggintops

Fink · Post by **Fink** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:50 pm

I have been playing *A LOT* with a Dorfman Pacific in order to learn *A LOT* (Again!) about hats, two days ago I bought a regular clothes starch stiffener to check if regular hat stiffeners are really that different from regular clothes ones. My results proved regular clothes starch stiffeners are actually the same as far as I can tell, I even tried ironing the hat, both just heat and steam after spraying the stiffener (I’m experimenting, I don’t care if I damage the hat, witch actually surprisingly hasn’t happen so far!), no stains, bad smell or anything else so far, just a really floppy feel if you abuse your stiffener dose!

By the way, I used the Faultless Heavy Starch formula (dark blue presentation):

http://www.faultless.com/faultlessstarch.asp

Oh! Really cheap solution if you go and try this one, a whole 20oz can for just $2.50 US!

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:53 pm

My only question would be, does it 'release' from the felt when the hat is professionally cleaned like the product made specifically for the hat trade? That's where the rubber meets the proverbial road with these products.

Regard! Michaelson

Fink · Post by **Fink** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:22 pm

I really don’t know! But I could try... I’m not a professional, either must be a perfect job, just enough to find out, what exactly should I try to find out?
I realize this kind of product is not the right one to be use on a nice quality hat, but just want to know if it can do the job good enough for a cheap hat, like for those interested to fix a Dorfman Pacific or something.

JulianK · Post by **JulianK** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:33 pm

MagnaTac Brush On Hat Sizing Liquid (1 Gal.)

manu7 · Post by **manu7** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:55 pm

thanks for the input. the one im using it on is a dp so just the regular clothes starch would work for me. cheap and if it screws up the hat no great loss. never even thought about clothes starch. i appreciate everyones help

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:16 pm

Be sure to apply it to the inside of the crown, and not the outside if you're trying to stiffen up that area.

Regards! Michaelson

manu7 · Post by **manu7** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:38 pm

Thanks michaelson cause I was just going to spray the outside

JulianK · Post by **JulianK** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 11:02 am

Be sure to apply it to the inside of the crown, and not the outside if you're trying to stiffen up that area.

But that would mean removing the liner. Can't it be done by spraying the outside?

Fink · Post by **Fink** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 11:36 am

I actually spayed the starch all over the inside and outside, brim and crown without causing any negative effect but an a excessive stiffness (Witch I fixed with a little bit of water), but let’s remember I’m talking about a DP here, I would use a real hat stiffener for any other of my hats!

manu7 · Post by **manu7** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:18 pm

so i used the regular clothes starch on the inside of the hat and here is how it came out. yes it is a crushable dorfman let me know how you guys think it came out

Fink · Post by **Fink** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:37 am

It looks much better now from a regular DP! But I went a little bit further with mine (My camera died on me so I have no pics available yet): I got rid of the teardrop and worked as much as I could the taper, removed the band and dyed it dark brown chocolate color and dimensionally cut the brim and got a clean edge.
Are you planning to go further on this one or are you OK as it is now? (It actually looks good enough as it is)

manu7 · Post by **manu7** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:12 am

i did get rid of the teardrop too but didnt like how the hat fit so i popped it back in. thought about cutting down the brim and want the clean edge but when i started to take the edge off the holes were alittle too noticeable for me not quite sure how well id do cutting down the brim. plus im leaving for hong kong in a week and plan on taking it with me and if i screw it up i dont want to hae to buy and bash a new one right now.

manu7 · Post by **manu7** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:23 pm

actually got rid of the teardrop to where the hat is comfortable. yea no pics right now getting ready to leave on vacation will post some later