Ask a question, get an answer

[wcbrown]

Can any of you folks help me with something? Last night I was steaming my brim on my Fed IV to stiffen it and shape it a bit now the sweat band has some kind of a sticky thing going on. Any advice would sure be appreciated.

 

[moontheloon]

keep steam away from the hat interior at all times
steam will destroy a sweatband

 

[scottyrocks]

They look rather similar...

Often, two examples of the same exact hat look different on one's head.

When I go shopping for almost any article of clothing, I try on multiple examples for looks and comfort (not underwear, though - haha). That's why I sometimes find mail order frustrating.

 

[Frunobulax]

Ps. There's always another damn hat waiting around the corner...

No, we're running out. Any one could be our last hat!


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[andrew_AU]

keep steam away from the hat interior at all times
steam will destroy a sweatband

Moon, while what you say is true I suspect @wcbrown is seeking out advice on how to fix the sticky thing that's going on with his sweatband.

Other than gently wiping it with a damp (not wet) cloth I can't think of anything. Can you?

 

[moontheloon]

Moon, while what you say is true I suspect @wcbrown is seeking out advice on how to fix the sticky thing that's going on with his sweatband.

Other than gently wiping it with a damp (not wet) cloth I can't think of anything. Can you?

I know what he was looking for

and I've never experienced the sticky situation because steam has never hit any of my sweatbands

 

[FedOregon]

Are the Akubra sweatbands made of leather, or that funky man-made material that I see in modern Stetsons and Dobbs hats? I had a Dobbs sweat disintegrate on me. It would leave leave greasy black smudges on my forehead every time I wore the hat. I took it to a fairly local hatter and he replaced the sweat for something like $25; plus, it was sized and shaped to my head so now it fits like a custom.

 

[andrew_AU]

Are the Akubra sweatbands made of leather, or that funky man-made material that I see in modern Stetsons and Dobbs hats? I had a Dobbs sweat disintegrate on me. It would leave leave greasy black smudges on my forehead every time I wore the hat. I took it to a fairly local hatter and he replaced the sweat for something like $25; plus, it was sized and shaped to my head so now it fits like a custom.

Akubra sweats are leather

 

[FedOregon]

I wonder if a leather conditioner like Lexol would help at all....

 

[wcbrown]

Thanks you guys, I really did not expose the band to any steam I was holding the hat upside down, sort of like palming a basketball, only on the inside. I tried the Lexol thing, to no avail.......

 

[andrew_AU]

Thanks you guys, I really did not expose the band to any steam I was holding the hat upside down, sort of like palming a basketball, only on the inside. I tried the Lexol thing, to no avail.......

That's very strange. I have steamed many Akubra hats and have never had a sticky sweatband as a result. I suggest you contact Hats Direct.

 

[FedOregon]

Thanks you guys, I really did not expose the band to any steam I was holding the hat upside down, sort of like palming a basketball, only on the inside. I tried the Lexol thing, to no avail.......

Very strange, indeed. Maybe a faulty sweat to start with? Do check with your Akubra dealer... if it's warranty work it won't be worth it to you unless they pay the shipping. I'm so spoiled with so many great hatters nearby...

 

[andrew_AU]

Very strange, indeed. Maybe a faulty sweat to start with? Do check with your Akubra dealer... if it's warranty work it won't be worth it to you unless they pay the shipping. I'm so spoiled with so many great hatters nearby...

Yeah, I was also thinking a faulty sweat.

@wcbrown How about posting a photo of the sweatband in question?

 

[Windsock8e]

Do I have to repeat myself...???
BTW, I like the look of the NOS BETTER.

You just gave me the idea to tell my sales colleagues to stop trying all these fancy sales tactics and just tell potential customers "LIKE IT? BUY IT!" [emoji38]

OK, ok, I will sort it out, thanks for the advice!

 

[Windsock8e]

Ps. There's always another damn hat waiting around the corner...

So long as there is another pay check as well, I can keep doing this - until my wife Intervenes.

 

[Jeremy T Garner]

Do I have to repeat myself...???
BTW, I like the look of the NOS BETTER.

+1 I do too.

 

[Jeremy T Garner]

Ps. There's always another damn hat waiting around the corner...

A definite +1 to this as well!! Lol

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Can any of you folks help me with something? Last night I was steaming my brim on my Fed IV to stiffen it and shape it a bit now the sweat band has some kind of a sticky thing going on. Any advice would sure be appreciated.

Sounds like the sweatband has some kind of coating that the steam, even if indirectly, has broken down. You could try wiping the sweat with something like acetone (nail varnish remover).....try on a small surface first.
Chances are this is a one off dud sweatband & hopefully Akubra isn't going down the road of using cheaper corrected grain leather sweats to keep down costs.

 

[Jeremy T Garner]

So long as there is another pay check as well, I can keep doing this - until my wife Intervenes.

The wife part is what is my limiting factor as well!! Lol.

 

[FedOregon]

Thanks you guys, I really did not expose the band to any steam I was holding the hat upside down, sort of like palming a basketball, only on the inside. I tried the Lexol thing, to no avail.......

Maybe also try a gentle leather cleaner, then, like saddle soap or.... before you step up to stronger cleaners like acetone (as suggested above). Otherwise, it sounds like a new sweat is in order. But please do check with your Akubra dealer, too.