BASIC HAT REPAIR

[Visigoth]

It would be nice to have one thread where we collect basic tricks for home repair. (There's stuff all over the Lounge, but the search function is primitive.) To start with, this is a question I asked in another (inappropriate) place -- best to put it here:

Here's the issue. This is a vintage hat, probably beaver, with medium length hair. The spot I've photographed was rubbed (sanded?) in order to get rid of moth divots. Looks as if the longer hairs were rubbed away, in this small spot, leaving it sort of bald. Now, this *only* shows in certain light, but when it does it's a very bright spot relative to the rest. (See the photo on the left). It's not a huge deal, as the spot's under the brim, and usually hidden. But I'm wondering if there is a way of repairing this myself. Or -- if that's not possible -- is this something a professional repair person could do?

<IMG SRC="http://www.dysmedia.com/baldpatch.jpg">

(The image on the right is more of a closeup, indicating how the hairs have been sanded away.)

 

[Uncle Vern]

I've sanded moth holes and been left with a flattened or oddly shiny area like the spot on your hat. I ended up steaming the spot and then brushing vigorously with a stiff, short-haired brush. that worked pretty well. I had to repeat the process several times. I think sometimes (but not always) the hairs get matted down and can be brought back up this way.

 

[Visigoth]

Thanks Vern! I don't know a whole lot about felt: does this mean that the hairs beneath the surface are just as long? Is felt consistent, all the way through? I had the notion that the surface, especially on long-haired hats, was covered in something else.

 

[Uncle Vern]

Well, I don't know the answer to that question. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will address that topic. It would seem that the hairs are the same all the way through the hat body, although I've wondered about those shaggy stingy brims with the very long hairs. I've brushed out some very matted areas with good success.

 

[Visigoth]

Hmm. Calling all experts! Where are the Doctors of Felt Science?

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

"Is this felt?"

"Not usually."

 

[mthatter]

erased by mt

 

[Visigoth]

Thank you so much John! No, I haven't tried anything yet -- thought I'd wait for a professional opinion. Does this mean, then, that the hairs in the felt *are* of equal length, all the way through?

Oh and crucially: all of these techniques to raise the nap -- are you saying to brush (or use a pin) *in the direction of the nap*? i.e. in the direction you would usually brush? Or against the grain?

 

[funneman]

I've used steam and gentle, short back and forth strokes with closed eyebrow tweezers. Then brush the spot with an extra large, dense paintbrush while still applying more steam. I avoid the rubbing with sponges, sanding etc. That seems to ad the shine to the spot and sometimes make it more obvious.

 

[mthatter]

erased by mt

 

[Visigoth]

Actually, this is kind of fascinating stuff. So you're saying that the hairs are in fact *longer*, beneath the surface? (If they were shorter, I take it you couldn't raise them.)

Felt is nicely mysterious. I don't usually get this involved in the materiality of what I'm wearing. (Although I did a small amount of research into What Constitutes the Perfect Cowboy Boot.)

 

[mthatter]

erased by mt

 

[Visigoth]

Success!

It worked! What can I say: you guys are aces. I used a, uh, toothbrush for the "hard brush" you suggested. Not only is the bright spot invisible, but so is the former (shallow) moth divot. (I take it the steaming will also have killed any moth eggs that remain.)

Thanks guys!