A Funny Smell...

[Not-Bogart13]

I've finally gotten around to wearing my Akubra Campdraft a bit (I've been breaking in the Fed until now). Thing is, it's brand new, but when I take it off after a while, and the inside of the hat is warm, there's an odd smell coming from it. This doesn't happen with the Fed, or any other hat I have. Anybody know what's causing it and how I could get rid of it?

 

[jamespowers]

What does it smell like? Is it a mildew smell or an acidic smell?
When a hat gets warm it is likely to gas off anything that was in the felt or in the liner. Is the smell coming from the felt or the liner? Smell the underside of the brim then smell the liner to check it out. I've had it happen with liners. The new material will gas off if it is a synthetic.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I lost track of this post!

With the busy holiday season, I completely forgot I posted this question until last night!

James, the odor is definately coming from inside the crown, NOT the brim, so I guess it's the liner. Now, it's always present, but gets worse when the hat is warm. And the smell clings to my head!

The best way I can describe the smell is to say it's like stale, cheap, black coffee! Ick! I've aired it outside the box for weeks and tried scented febrese, but neither has helped. Any suggestion how to deal with this?

 

[MattC]

Try my solution for musty smells.

Take an athletic sock, fill it with baking soda, tie off the end, get a plasic garmnet bag, put the hat and the sock in, tape it off so it is closed up, and let them sit for two weeks. Will always take musty smells out of a hat.

 

[jamespowers]

With the busy holiday season, I completely forgot I posted this question until last night!

James, the odor is definately coming from inside the crown, NOT the brim, so I guess it's the liner. Now, it's always present, but gets worse when the hat is warm. And the smell clings to my head!

The best way I can describe the smell is to say it's like stale, cheap, black coffee! Ick! I've aired it outside the box for weeks and tried scented febrese, but neither has helped. Any suggestion how to deal with this?

Whoa! Now that smell is something I have not encountered. It doesn't seem to be musty but it sure is something else. Probably due to the new liner gasing off but boy that sure smells wierd. Is the liner glued in or sewn in? If it is sewn in then I would remove it and wash it. If it is a new hat then something is making the liner smell and washing it will likely get rid of it. It just depends how far you are willing to go to get rid of it.
Maybe try Matt C's idea and if that doesn't work then yank the liner.

Regards to all,

J

 

[John in Covina]

I gotta stay home and grease Weezer!

it's like stale, cheap, black coffee!

***
WoW! What could it be? Is it a racid or oxidized stale? I think it's the oils in the coffee that "go bad" so maybe there is something oily under the liner.

Sounds like you need to talk to the vendor!

 

[Not-Bogart13]

The liner is glued in, so I won't be pulling it out. Maybe it's the glue? I'm gonna try Matt's idea. If that doesn't work, I might have to contact Akubra. Unless there are any other suggestions, of course.

 

[jamespowers]

The liner is glued in, so I won't be pulling it out. Maybe it's the glue? I'm gonna try Matt's idea. If that doesn't work, I might have to contact Akubra. Unless there are any other suggestions, of course.

Ah, now you are getting somewhere. I wonder what kind of glue they used to make it smell so bad. If the smell is coming from the liner then it is the glue gasing off when you heat it up. Gee, from what you describe it sounds like hide glue. Pretty smelly stuff. Maybe the baking soda will get some of that out of there. Then again, the next time it heats up it will likely start again.
I think it is just time to contact the seller and get the straight scoop on what to do. I can see you getting some kind of fix any other way. They did make it after all and they owe you an explanation for "funny smells."

Regards to all,

J

 

[Not-Bogart13]

James, I agree. The more I think about it, the more I feel I should contact them about it. That's what I'm going to do. (so there)

 

[scotrace]

Surely they wouldn't use hide glue? Ick.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Something Happens, At Last!

Well, for those who remember my smelly hat...

I made the boo-boo of returning the hat to Hats Direct via the slow boat to Australia (literally). :eusa_doh: They finally got it, and Ron says that he thinks the liner is the source of the odor. They intend to replace the liner and see if that helps.

So, with my own shipping blunder aside, Hats Direct is doing everything in their power to make me happy. Even if nobody here cares about my hat, at least it's a good word for Ron and the HD crew.

G'Day!
NB

 

[jamespowers]

I care about it. I still remember the whole funny smell thing.
I am glad you got it straightened out. Any seller who stands by his products needs to be lauded. :eusa_clap
Let us know what you get in return. I mean if the new one has the same problem.

Regards,

J