Cold water crease technique

[ichnob]

I've had my Akubra Federation IV for the past week now, and I really love how it's shaped up so far. But I've run into a small problem last night. After spending the past few days trying to get the bash right and the front crease more similar to Raiders styling, I decided to use a little cold water to help make the crease more apparent.

After waking up today, I noticed 2 things. First, the crease is much more dominant, which is good. I like the shape of my hat bash even more. Second (and this is the bad part), the area that water was applied to seems to have lightened the color of the fur. It's nothing too noticeable, but the problem is that I notice it. I've let it dry overnight only. Should I leave it out in the sunlight to heat dry it for a few hours? Should I just do nothing and hope the problem corrects itself? From far away, you can't really see it, but up close, I can see it.

Thanks for your help in advance.

[DoubleOhSeven]

Ichnob, I'm wondering what kind of water you used to set the bash? Was it tap water? If so, many public water systems contain high amounts of chlorine, flourine, and trace minerals that can actually discolor or fade fabrics and felts...and that could be what caused your faded spot.

Always use distilled water for cold water sets or steaming.

You may be able to spray the entire hat with the same water you used and then set it aside to dry, it could bring the color to an even hue. Use a good mister, like a plant misting bottle, to ensure even wetting.

[Indiana G]

hmmm.....so if you brush it lightly, the discoloration won't go away? did you use tap water? there may be a residue there if your tap water teeters on the 'hard water' side....that's why its recommended to use distilled water.

try blending/brushing the felt lightly if it has any effect. if not, cover it all up with some fullers

[ichnob]

007 - I used iced filtered water (the one dispensed from a refrigerator). Since I read that you were supposed to use a little (and had no spray bottle on hand), I used my fingers to dab the water onto the crease.

G - I haven't brushed it yet. Need to buy a brush, but I'll look into trying that. And yeah, I considered fullers' as well since it's going to be a costume hat.

[ichnob]

Here is a message that I got when I asked hatsdirect about my problem.

Hi Dennis,

the discoloration is likely to be just the nap of the fur sitting differently to the rest of the hat. Use a little steam to soften the felt along with a brush and the hat should return to the same all over.

Steam will not shrink or distort the hat unless it is excessive, I doubt you could manage that at home. (A lesser quality felt would distort)


Best regards,
Ron Lilburne
sales@hatsdirect.com

Looks like I'll try this out some of the remedies tomorrow or Sunday (basically the same advice that 007 told me, but with steam instead of mist). Either way, I have Fullers earth ordered from Todd's hopefully shipping soon.

[gabrielle]

Good luck with that. I know how annoying something can be even if no one else sees it, you know it's there! But the advice coming from the hatter sounds plausible. Tell us how it comes out.

[ichnob]

It worked! I followed 007's advice and sprayed the hat w/ an even mist all around. After reading what happened to Indiana G's hat after a rainfall, I did the same thing to let it dry. Now my hat has no discoloration. Thanks for the advice.