Club Obi Wan

Hello folks.

So I'm bashing and reinforcing the bash on my Henry. I make sure my hands are clean when doing so, but I have a point where I've worked the felt a lot where it is a little darker. I assume that it is finger oil.

If so, what can I do about it, if anything?

Thanks!

Edit: Mods, feel free to move this to care and distressing if it really belongs there.

I'm not an expert, but the book I have and that others are using as well says gasoline. Now, it was written in the very early 1900's, and I don't think what they meant by gasoline is what we mean by gasoline. Probably a "white gas" or kerosene.

Try brushing it out, or maybe very lightly sanding the area with very fine sandpaper. If that doesn't work, only a professional may have the ability to remove it... maybe. Think of it as character. Oh, and maybe wearing it in a good downpour would help.

Lets not go that far just yet. I'm with CJ and start with giving it a very good brushing. If that doesn't work try rubbing alcohol. If it doesn't work let me know.

I had the same problem with grease from fingers getting in the crease and other areas getting lighter from handling. (The brim etc.)
So I did the old Naptha bath and cornstarch treatment.

First:
I went to Walmart and bought a large, five gallon paint bucket with a lid.
I also bought some Coleman lamp fuel which is mainly naptha.

When I got home, I poured the naptha into the container.
I took my Adventurebilt, punched out crown , then put it into the naptha.
The hat became soaked instantly.
I put the lid on tight (you should really do this outside as the fumes are not good) then swished it around for a bit.
I then let it sit for a couple hours, swishing it periodically.
I then opened it and turned it over so the brim would get a good soaking and repeated the process.
After nearly 6 hours, I pulled the hat, shook it off and put it onto a block to dry. While on the block I took some paper towels and soaked up some of the naptha while rubbing the felt in the counter clockwise direction.
Within a couple hours the hat was dry.

Most of the dirt build up was gone. However there was just a little bit of those grease spots left SO ...
I got some corn starch and spooned a little bit onto the areas that were still stained.
I left this on overnight.

The next morning I brushed of the cornstarch with a hat brush and one of those hat sponges.
The marks were gone. Pulled out by the cornstarch.

It was a little difficult to make sure the cornstarch was completely brushed out, so for good measure, I did the naptha dunk again, but this time for only about 3 or 4 hours.
I repeated the process when taking it out as before.
After all was complete, I reshaped the hat, which was easy as the naptha dries really quickly.
As of today there is no visible shrinkage either.

For more information you can check out the Fedora Lounge. This is where I read up on this process.
Just do a search for naptha and you should get some results.

Hope this helps.

Chris

In the summer of 1984, I was completely new to hats and had just brought home my first licensed fur felt Indy. No sooner had I set it down on an end table when my curious Sheltie sniffed it and then proceeded to sneeze all over it.

She had just eaten her din-din and, because we mixed vegetable oil in with her food to aid her digestion, my brand new hat ended up sprinkled with spots of oil.

I didn't realize the sneeze was going to be a problem until the spots had dried and turned a lighter color than the rest of the hat. Being a complete novice with hats, I wasn't sure what to do, but I tried scratching them off with my fingernails, and it worked.

So, it's probably not the end of the world if you get a little finger oil on your hat. Brushing is most likely all you will need to do.

Jack

Oil can be a major pain though, because dirt is attracted to it and the problem will get progressively worse. Sure, it adds character, but if you're trying to keep your hat "nice" then I understand the dilemma. Plus, when/if you do throw some fullers earth or something on it, that very fine dust really absorbs into the oil and the clay base really gets "sticky"...

but that's just my very humble opinion, and if john says rubbing alcohol, that's probably the ticket.

eazybox wrote:In the summer of 1984, I was completely new to hats and had just brought home my first licensed fur felt Indy. No sooner had I set it down on an end table when my curious Sheltie sniffed it and then proceeded to sneeze all over it.

She had just eaten her din-din and, because we mixed vegetable oil in with her food to aid her digestion, my brand new hat ended up sprinkled with spots of oil.

I didn't realize the sneeze was going to be a problem until the spots had dried and turned a lighter color than the rest of the hat. Being a complete novice with hats, I wasn't sure what to do, but I tried scratching them off with my fingernails, and it worked.

So, it's probably not the end of the world if you get a little finger oil on your hat. Brushing is most likely all you will need to do.

Jack

I think I just 'arfed in my mouth

Ok kids. I guess I need to order me a brush. If I were to do rubbing alcohol, how do I apply? Q-tip? Cotton ball? Bazooka? Slingshot?

I got acrylic housepaint on the pinch of mine yesterday....
A damp toothbrush got it right out.

Bazooka.

just a cloth should be good.

Not exactly the same, but a like situation. I wore my grey AB to a retirement party just before Christmas and a bit of mayonaise somehow got dropped on the bottom front part of the brim. I cleaned the best I could, but also had a grease spot.

I tried alcohol, and it worked in a fashion, but you could still faintly see the spot. I dropped Fedora a line, and he said use lighter fluid on a cloth, rub the spot, then when dry, brush the area in the correct direction (counter clockwise for brim top, clockwise for brim bottom).

It completely removed the spot. It should work for your problem too.

Now you have TWO suggestions from two of our intrepid hat makers here.

Regards! Michaelson

Hmmmmmmmmm... lighter fluid. I have lots of those.

I'm usually a victim of mayonnaise and ketchup stains, so this thread is handy for me. Well, I hope it doesn't happen to my hat, but it has happened to my first "officially licensed" fedora.

Just remember, use standard 'lighter fluid' like you use in a regular Zippo type lighter, not 'butane'.

Lighter fluid is essentially napha, one of the chemicals usually used to clean a hat anyway. Butane is not.

Don't get them confused.

Regard! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Just remember, use standard 'lighter fluid' like you use in a regular Zippo type lighter, not 'butane'.

Lighter fluid is essentially napha, one of the chemicals usually used to clean a hat anyway. Butane is not.

Don't get them confused.

Regard! Michaelson

How long did it take for the lighter fluid smell to go away?

Mine went away overnight.

Regard! Michaelson

Thanks for posting that Michaelson. I'll make sure to keep some of that on hand

RaidersBash wrote:I'm not an expert, but the book I have and that others are using as well says gasoline. Now, it was written in the very early 1900's, and I don't think what they meant by gasoline is what we mean by gasoline. Probably a "white gas" or kerosene.

working as a technical illustrator 20 years ago, when everything was done by hand not computer, we used to clean finger grease off our paper before starting with lighter fuel i.e. Zippo fuel. but we always called it petrol, AKA 'gasoline' in the US. Perhaps that is the petrol reffered to in the book?
It worked by disolving the grease into the paper before the lighter fuel evaporated, so it doesn't actually remove it, just spreads it through the fibres until it's presence is neglegable.
I haven't tried it on my Fed4, but if I ever did I'd test it somewhere unnoticable first, like under the hatband.

fenris wrote:
I'm usually a victim of mayonnaise and ketchup stains,

Hmm, gotta lay off the Whoppers, man . . .

enigmata_wood wrote:

RaidersBash wrote:I'm not an expert, but the book I have and that others are using as well says gasoline. Now, it was written in the very early 1900's, and I don't think what they meant by gasoline is what we mean by gasoline. Probably a "white gas" or kerosene.

working as a technical illustrator 20 years ago, when everything was done by hand not computer, we used to clean finger grease off our paper before starting with lighter fuel i.e. Zippo fuel. but we always called it petrol, AKA 'gasoline' in the US. Perhaps that is the petrol reffered to in the book?
It worked by disolving the grease into the paper before the lighter fuel evaporated, so it doesn't actually remove it, just spreads it through the fibres until it's presence is neglegable.
I haven't tried it on my Fed4, but if I ever did I'd test it somewhere unnoticable first, like under the hatband.

that very well could be

i did a little internet reading to see what cars of that period were running on, and what i found was kerosene, but i'm sure it's similiar.

I might get shot for this one,

but i'm thinking brake cleaner might be a good Heavy Duty spot cleaner. I know you can spray it on walls to kill spiders (darn girls and their phobias over bugs) and it won't leave a stain of any sort, and i've used it on clothes with the same effect...I have a couple old bodies that aren't doing anything, so i might have to try that...

Lets not throw the baby out with the bath water. Try the spot cleaning like suggested and if needed a naptha bath can be had and that will work. I really don't think you need that.

RaidersBash wrote:I might get shot for this one,

but i'm thinking brake cleaner might be a good Heavy Duty spot cleaner. I know you can spray it on walls to kill spiders (darn girls and their phobias over bugs) and it won't leave a stain of any sort, and i've used it on clothes with the same effect...I have a couple old bodies that aren't doing anything, so i might have to try that...

Brake clean will more than likey BLEACH the color out. Same with a Tide to go pen.

Brake Cleaner is an EXTREMELY clean chemical, which is why you can spray walls and clothing with it without leaving a mark (although i'd make sure to stay away from the chlorinated stuff)

Taken from: http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... ut_of.html

"Yes, it may sound quite strange, but aerosol brake cleaner is the number one choice of actual car shops and garages when it comes to removing stains from the interior. Because of the components of the cleaner, it is not only effective against oil and grease, but can also be used an agent to remove other trouble stains, such as pen marks, food stains, and any other ground in mess or dirt. Using the brake spay to clean the interior is also a fairly simple process, simply spray it onto the area, let is sit for a few seconds, and then scrub it out."

Taken from: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/floorcarpetcleaning

"Brake cleaner also does a good quick job of removing most food stains. Dab a little on a clean cloth and gently blot the stain. Brake cleaner contains the same chemical professional dry cleaners use to clean stains in clothing."

I just tested 3 old hat bodies, a solid black beaver blend, a reddish-brown wool felt, and a tan fur felt. Everything looks good so far......

I WOULD AVOID DOING ANYTHING DRASTIC TO BEGIN WITH!

Call AB and see what they recommend.

The problem with any cleaner is that although it might remove a spot, oil, etc., it may also "tint" or discolor the area unless you do the same for the entire region. As someone else recommended, start at the bottom of options (brushing) and work your way up. I have spot cleaned very valuable 16th century costume hats with simple soap and water and the area looked fine after several days of drying. (It took that long to look normal).

Max

It's funny how some of my post go by without anyone seeing them.

and just to clarify...

i fully agree to do what John (Oak) has said, and start simple.

My point was to start with soap and water (which no one else suggested) instead of the more drastic measures, which may certainly work, or not.

Regardless, let us know how it worked.

Max

Max Chance wrote:My point was to start with soap and water (which no one else suggested) instead of the more drastic measures, which may certainly work, or not.

Regardless, let us know how it worked.

Max

If you read my post, you will see how i was trying to help him by going one step at a time.

BendingOak wrote:

Max Chance wrote:My point was to start with soap and water (which no one else suggested) instead of the more drastic measures, which may certainly work, or not.

Regardless, let us know how it worked.

Max

If you read my post, you will see how i was trying to help him by going one step at a time.

I used the bazooka and it worked! I then nuked it in the fridge...I mean microwave!
Just kidding.

Really, I used a little rubbing alcohol and a cloth lightly and it took the spot out.
Thanks, John. And I did tell the Boss that I needed a hat brush in order to keep her christmas present to me looking nice. So in a few days I'll be ordering one.

John, have you ever thought about making a Youtube vid on how you like to brush a hat? Not a "how-to" vid so you don't get in trouble. But show how you do it on one of your hats. I think I read a post of yours that said you are pretty rough when you brush a hat. That could be another way to show off the toughness of your product; by beating it like a red-headed one-eyed step-dog.

jkdbuck76 wrote:

BendingOak wrote:

Max Chance wrote:My point was to start with soap and water (which no one else suggested) instead of the more drastic measures, which may certainly work, or not.

Regardless, let us know how it worked.

Max

If you read my post, you will see how i was trying to help him by going one step at a time.

I used the bazooka and it worked! I then nuked it in the fridge...I mean microwave!
Just kidding.

Really, I used a little rubbing alcohol and a cloth lightly and it took the spot out.
Thanks, John. And I did tell the Boss that I needed a hat brush in order to keep her christmas present to me looking nice. So in a few days I'll be ordering one.

John, have you ever thought about making a Youtube vid on how you like to brush a hat? Not a "how-to" vid so you don't get in trouble. But show how you do it on one of your hats. I think I read a post of yours that said you are pretty rough when you brush a hat. That could be another way to show off the toughness of your product; by beating it like a red-headed one-eyed step-dog.

I want to do a few vids but I'll will have to wait until squidkidd gets back in town. Where is that kidd anyway?

following up the soap and water idea: dish detergent disolves finger grease. how about a solution of that for spot cleaning? you could put it in a small spray pump to avoid too much rubbing then rinse it out the same way?

Max Chance wrote:I WOULD AVOID DOING ANYTHING DRASTIC TO BEGIN WITH!

Call AB and see what they recommend.

Max

Max, what I posted IS what 'AB' recommends regarding grease removal. That came directly from Steve Delk (Fedora) himself. I didn't invent it.

Regards! Michaelson

I think we've exhausted this one. Mods please feel free to lock.