Club Obi Wan

"How" or "what" does everyone do to protect your fedoras?

ScotchGuard, etc.?

Just curious, even though our gear for some of us willl be come distressed naturally.


IndySkip

I'm hoping for the old, "naturally distressed" look myself. But, while I was shopping for a felt brush and a hat jack on the David Morgan website the other day I came across a small "hat care" section. It stated that hats in general, his specifically, are made to be worn and shouldn't be averse to rain and sun wear. There were a few tips that were offered. After exposure to rain (light or severe) the hat should be dried by placing it upside down on it's crown in a room temperature environment. Any exposure to heat will shrink the leather and the felt, this includes the sun. If left in the sun upsidedown, the leather band will shrink. I think that's all it said. Just thought it might be some helpful info to pass along

Regards,

Indy Nate

I currently treat my fedora's with scotch guard heavy weight outdoor protection, a vintage fur felt brush that looks more like plastic mesh sponge and every now and then a wipe with a damp cloth.


Best regards,
INDIANA_7

I use the Scout water/stain repellant. I believe in it, especially when you are trying to take care of an Optimo, or any other high end fedora. Everytime a hat gets soaked, it is gonna shrink somewhat, although the shrinkage may not be noticable. It is the nature of the felt. My way of thinking says that anything that can be done to alleviate this is worth the time and trouble. regards, Fedora

The felt "cone" a hat is made from is huge before factory shrinking. Think Gandalf's hat in LOTR. Before forming, it is shrunk down to a size a bit larger than the finished hat. It would take an awful lot to shrink a hat with rain water. (Now, leaving your lid in the back window of your auto or truck is another story! That will indeed mess up the leather sweatband.) Remember, tapering is the hat reverting to the "cone" shape.

You would think somebody at Akubra would make some Gandalf lids. They would probably sell like frozen daiquiris in ####!

Bushman

Hmmm. Maybe it's just my hats, but every hat, like my work hats, that I wear each and every day eventually shrink on the topmost crown so that the hat tapers. My Campdraft has tapered to the point that I have retired it. My regular Fed, took its place and it is starting to show a bit of taper on the top as well. Of course, you must remember that these hats are on my head around 12 hours each day. I don't have this problem with the rest of my tribe, as I rotate them. I don't wear the same one two days in a row, and generally they are not subjected to rain, etc. regards Fedora

Renderking Fisk wrote: ... I busted out the crown,

Hey, can you describe this technique to me? I have heard other people say that before.

Thanks,
Pyro.

So O.K. ; back to the subject.... Is Scotchguard O.K. to use on a good fur felt hat? I can't find Scout rain/stain in town. So scotchguard maybe my only choice.
Regards,
Forrestal

Yep, it is safe. Fedora

Gandalf's hat was made from flat sheets of felt and sewn together. It wasn't formed on a block or shaped from a cone. I am currently working on a pattern.

Interesting points! Being "new" to the fedora-owning world, I'm torn between having my fed get worn or keeping it looking as good as I bought it. (dresshat or Cairo-worn)

Fedora wrote:Everytime a hat gets soaked, it is gonna shrink somewhat, although the shrinkage may not be noticable. It is the nature of the felt.

After the awesome snow/rain/ice storm that hammered New England, my Reg Akubra was soaked through to the lining. I busted out the crown, let it dry a bit and re-pinched and re-dented it. I've compaired the fed the way it is to the way it was and I don't see any new taper. I'm very happy.

Hey Renderking! I was out in that too! My Fed held up great, (although not completely soaked like yours) but that's what prompted this thread to begin with.

Some people would baby their hats (Optimo, yikes!), while others might keep theirs in pristine condition.


IndySkip

Protection, who needs protection!?

I've only had my PB for a few weeks, but it's aready loosing the stiffness, which is good, feels more like Indy's now. It's a great hat, and built like a tank. I suberdged it on the bath tub and it didn't even loose its shape! Got it wet twice in the rain, and it's still lookin good. I don't think it really needs any protection, IMHO.