Club Obi Wan

Just a quick question: I just got another vintage fedora. It's new old stock, but the sweatband is very dry and brittle and pretty much won't move. I have regular Pecard, which I use on my Aldens, and the Motorcycle leather, which I bought for use on a Wested lambskin jacket.

I figure I should use the leather lotion on the sweatband, but I wanted some opinions.

My worry would be that once the sweatband hits your forehead, it might cause some pores to clog up on you and maybe induce pimples. You might ask Michaelson and Indiana Jess about it though since they've used the Pecards on their faces before.

Indiana Texas-girl wrote:My worry would be that once the sweatband hits your forehead, it might cause some pores to clog up on you and maybe induce pimples. You might ask Michaelson and Indiana Jess about it though since they've used the Pecards on their faces before.

Natural distressing?

hmmm, hadn't thought of the pore-clogging issue before. Maybe I should just go buy some Lexol? I've heard that's really the stuff to use on leather sweatbands...but having all of this Pecard leather treatment stuff lying around the house, I thought I'd try something that would not require me to go spend more money...

I'd suggest putting it on the back side first (the side that faces the lining/hat not your forhead) and let it soak through to the front. That is if it's not too brittle to turn inside out. You may want to go with the lotion first, as if you do the standard, I don't think the lotion will have much affect afterwards... but I'm the wrong "Michael" to be answering really.

I also think I read that the lotion is on par with Lexol... but again will wait for the proper MichaelSON to tell me whether or not I'm wrong.

Mike

You guessed it...too brittle to turn inside out...but it's deadstock, so it should come back to life rather nicely.

I have bought a couple of vintage hats that the sweatband looked brand spankin' new, until you touched them. The leather had literally lost all moisture over the years and would crack and break at the slightest touch. Surely there is some sort of leather restorer available, like the museums use to reverse the aging. Does anyone know of such product? I recall years ago someone mentioned they used the same product as museums use for leather restoration. This was posted on Indy Fan, and it seems like it was someone with an Indy website. That is the extent of my memory on the subject. Perhaps someone with good recall, can recall this? Fedora

I can say I've used Lexol on my sweatbands with no pimples showing up. Course I'm 53 and a little past puberty to worry about it.

fedoralover

Fedora, Pecards IS the product that was posted at Indyfan that was originally made and formulated for museum leather restoration. This was before it was ever offered for sale to the public. There has been total success by folks who have put just a little standard Pecards dressing on leather sweatbands and allowed to totally soak into the leather. Where it's pH balanced, there's no skin reaction.Nothing will reverse the damage that has been caused by the removal of moisture from leather, causing the cracking, but Pecards does retard further damage from occuring.
Granted, it hasn't helped Indiana Jess's face, as no one said that Pecards can repair genetics, at least he's now well preserved. Regards. Michaelson

Thanks, fellas!

I'm off to make a Pecard-related mess...

Mess? Everything in moderation, my friend, everything in moderation. Regards. Michaelson

Does anyone know if putting Pecard on the sweatband is really a good idea? Is the general consensus around here to go for it?

I ask this because I am kind of wary of putting Pecard on the sweatband, which would come in constant rubbing contact with my forehead and hair when I'm wearing a fedora... I remember Rick mentioned that having Pecards on your sweatband might result in a rash. Not exactly comforting!

Do you suppose that it might be a better idea to instead of Pecarding the side of the sweatband that comes into contact with your head, you do it on the reverse side? The 'hidden' side that faces the liner? Will this absorb into the leather and keep it maintained, or will the salt and oils from your perspiration make this point moot?

p.s. I would have started a new thread on the exact same topic, but since this one already existed, I decided to just resurrect this from the dead.

WOW! Almost 4 yeas to the day!

You must be talking about a different Rick, CD. I've had no problem with using Pecards on my vintage sweats. I put just enough on to let it soak in and I leave it overnight. The next day I'll rub off any minimal excess and then let it sit for another day just to allow it to settle in. It's worked quite well on old sweats and even newer ones that could use a touch of TLC. I never have need of it on a brand new sweat, though. As far as any contact with your skin, well, look at Michaelson—how do you think he keeps his youthful appearance? Seriously, I've never had any problems with "Pecard rash."