Big Mistake

[Bud-n-Texas]

Here is a heads up for fellow loungers. Don't make the same error I did. I had decided to keep and wear the Resistol 737 that was a bit to big. I figured a little tape behind the sweatband to tighten it up and I'd be good to go. I got this idea from my local Cavanders store. I installed the foam tape, wore it for a few hour yesterday. The fit was good and I was happy with the results. It was hung on my hat rack and when I went to retrieve it this morning, the sweatband was cooked. There must be some chemical in the glue on the tape, is all I can figure. There are spots that look like the band was burned with a wood burner. I have removed the tape and applied baby oil to the band in an attempt to save it. Time will tell. I hope my mistake will help others from making the same mistake.
The culprit : 3M foam tape # 4026

 

[Baron Kurtz]

So long as it didn't wreck the felt.

Quite an impressive glue, that can do that to leather.

bk

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

It cooked it just as if I had laid a hot iron to it. Thankfully the felt is fine, the liner is fine, just may need a new sweatband.

 

[Magus]

Man...sorry to hear that. I found that a strip of soft leather works REALLY well. Put the suede side against the felt and the slick side against the back of the sweatband. it dosn't move around at all.

M

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

Live and learn, I will not make that mistake again. I have trimmed off the badly burned edge, about 1/8th of an inch all the way around so that it can be worn. No one else would know it unless they look inside, ahh but I know it.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I Never Trust Glue

Aside from Elmers, I always assume the glue can do damage to anything it's label does not mention in some way. I'm really sorry to hear what happened, but don't get downhearted about the fit. You can probably use the padded tape without actually glueing it on. But, if you're still worried about doing further damage, drop by a Rag Shop or Michael's (or other craft store) and describe a non-glued version of what you need. They should have something.

 

[photobyalan]

Don't be so sure it was the glue that did it. I've seen a vintage leather sweatband ruined by...

sweat

...it seems crazy, I know, but I saw a nice, supple vintage leather sweatband in seemingly perfect condition dry up, turn black and crack overnight after I wore the hat on a warm day and apparently soaked the sweatband. I assume it was the salt that did it. Whatever it was, it sure did a number on the sweatband.

It could have been the glue, but it might not have.

 

[jamespowers]

Don't be so sure it was the glue that did it. I've seen a vintage leather sweatband ruined by...

sweat

...it seems crazy, I know, but I saw a nice, supple vintage leather sweatband in seemingly perfect condition dry up, turn black and crack overnight after I wore the hat on a warm day and apparently soaked the sweatband. I assume it was the salt that did it. Whatever it was, it sure did a number on the sweatband.

It could have been the glue, but it might not have.

I can attest to that as well. The wife got in a like new Whippet. She wore it once and the sweatband cracked and fell to pieces. However this was before I had cleaned and treated it with Lexol. It was quite a shock but we have to realize that old leather needs to be treated to keep it supple and useful.
That being said, I have found several solutions to making a larger hat fit in my collecting activities. I have seen felt strips, parchment paper, newspaper, cork strips and a few other things that I cannot remember used behind the sweatband. All of these did nothing to the hat or sweatband but make the sweatband bulge out a little. I would never use anything with glue or any other chemicals on it as a sizing aid. Then again, at 7 5/8 I am taking that stuff out not putting it in.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Pilgrim]

I think someone recommended a strip of suede behind the band earlier - provides some fill, and has enough friction to stay in place.

Glad the damage was no worse!

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

You may have hit on something there

Don't be so sure it was the glue that did it. I've seen a vintage leather sweatband ruined by...

sweat

...it seems crazy, I know, but I saw a nice, supple vintage leather sweatband in seemingly perfect condition dry up, turn black and crack overnight after I wore the hat on a warm day and apparently soaked the sweatband. I assume it was the salt that did it. Whatever it was, it sure did a number on the sweatband.

It could have been the glue, but it might not have.

Thanks Alan, that may well be what happened. It was a little warm yesterday, and the damage occured only in the front. The sweatband looked good prior, but from now on all newly aquired hats will get a bit of tlc. I check several of my other hats today and any that seemed dry at all got a light coat of baby oil.

 

[indyjim]

I've always found that folded strips of paper towel work best for me. You can
make it 1,2 or 4 layers thick. They are long strips so they cover a lot of area, take up a lot of space without making the sweatband distort, and, they add some extra absorbancy between the sweat and the felt. If they get too damp,
or stained, easy to replace.