DO THEY MAKE VIAGRA FOR LIMP FEDORAS?

[EVEN-STEVEN]

I have a nice vintage Borsalino with a soft, thick nap. Problem is, the felt doesn't really hold the bash too well. The crown seems to sag after a short while. I'm afraid the lid has lost some of its... potency.

Should I get some hat stiffener? Anybody have any suggestions? Would a little spray starch work?

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

I'd try just water first.

I wet my hats to form them using tap water. I trickle it on carefully all over - avoiding getting it on the leather or lining - and sort of pat/rub it in to the felt until it darkens evenly.

Then, I dab with a towel, shape the hat and leave it to dry. The moisture can seep through a little and cause the sweatband to tighten, so put a hat jack inside or keep trying it on until it is really dry.

This process knits up the felt and in my experience, 'sets' the shape.

Failing this, Scout hat stiffener has been recommended before on this site. I haven't used it myself, though.

G'luck!

 

[Dinerman]

If it were me, I'd steam it lightly.

 

[GWD]

I agree with Dinerman, a light steaming works wonders.

 

[Lon Goval]

Floppy Hat!

What timing for this thread. Yesterday I picked up a Borsalino hat for my wife and it's quite floppy. I spent time during an open mic (while in the audience) playing with the bash and while it was easy to work, it didn't take much to loose the bash. So this is just what I was going to ask. Right now I have water heating up and I'll try to "reset" the stiffener in the hat.

Ralph

 

[mannySpaghetti]

If it were me, I'd steam it lightly.

Exactly. I've had a hat or two that lost it's rigidness, but I steamed 'em up real nice and it wasn't "limp" anymore. From my understanding, when a hat's steamed, the fibers contract and stiffens up pretty good. Try it. All you need is a tea kettle and some patience.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Steam can reactivate the stiffener in the hat, while water tends to soften a hat. However, water does make the hat more likely to keep the shape it's given.

One word of advice about water, though. Tap water can have all sorts of chemicals and minerals that could discolor the felt. Always use the purest water you can find. I prefer distilled, because it is used in pressing clothing. It is the least likely water I know of to cause stains or discoloration.

 

[ScionPI2005]

One word of advice about water, though. Tap water can have all sorts of chemicals and minerals that could discolor the felt. Always use the purest water you can find. I prefer distilled, because it is used in pressing clothing. It is the least likely water I know of to cause stains or discoloration.

I would agree with this. I've used steam from distilled water to shape one of my hats, and have just sprinkled another one with distilled to firm it up a bit. The water trick really does work wonders. You just have to use it sparingly and only wet the spaces you want to shape.

 

[Nolan]

Is it advisable to use a spray to make the hat more water repellant or should I just be careful how I let my hats dry after they get wet?

 

[Lon Goval]

Steam vs. Heat

I was told that steam relaxes the stiffner in the felt and heat alone sets the stiffner. I don't know how accurate this is, but I thought I would share this info.

Ralph

 

[Dinerman]

when steaming it becomes more pliable, more shapeable, softer. When it cools, it stiffens up. The steam re-activates the stiffener.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Is it advisable to use a spray to make the hat more water repellant or should I just be careful how I let my hats dry after they get wet?

For the most part, a fur felt hat can survive getting wet just fine, as long as you let it air-dry slowly. If it's really soaked, throw a hat stretcher in it while it dries to prevent shrinking. Some people like to treat their lids with a spray, but I have found no need for it.

 

[Film Noir]

re-blocking

I have a vintage Borsalino also that does not hold its shape. I was going to send it off to have it reblocked. Would that be better on a vintage hat that has been around for 40 or 50 years?

 

[mannySpaghetti]

I have a vintage Borsalino also that does not hold its shape. I was going to send it off to have it reblocked. Would that be better on a vintage hat that has been around for 40 or 50 years?

It definately wouldn't hurt and if you do, most here would suggest OPTIMO.

 

[Dinerman]

I have a vintage Borsalino also that does not hold its shape. I was going to send it off to have it reblocked. Would that be better on a vintage hat that has been around for 40 or 50 years?

Reblocking probably isn't needed. How do you mean "doesn't hold its shape" do you mean that you can't put a shape in it, that it pops out? In that case you can either get it wet or apply a bit of steam to set the crease.

Do you mean that the felt is soft?
Borsalinos, especially vintage borsalinos are prised because of their soft, high quality felt.

Reblocking means you lose the original sweatband in a lot of cases. A bit of steam or water can do wonders for a hat, so long as its not entirely trashed, in which case reblocking is the best course of action.

 

[Dinerman]

I have a nice vintage Borsalino with a soft, thick nap.

Do you have pictures of it? Re-reading this it sounds like you might have a peluche finish on it, in which case, the felt should be nearly stiffener free, as it sounds like you're describing.

 

[Glassguy]

Distilled water is produced by heating water to produce steam. The steam is cooled in a coil and you have distilled water. The steam is already mineral free. No need to buy distilled water to use in this case.

 

[Ledfeather]

reshaping for 'floppy' hats

i have some stingy brimmed hats that have sort of lost their shape. just on one side. it would seem like it is from taking them on and off for however many decades old they are, and maybe from the pen i keep in the band. i have googled this issue, and i see a lot of people mention using steam, but, those same people also talk about the material becoming soft. this is not my problem, since the brims are already pretty soft and shapeless. how should i go about reshaping these? can i? should i try it myself? what would it cost at a stetson vendor?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Good morning! Do you keep a pen or a pin in you fedora? If it is the latter, I would avoid doing such. As to the stiffness problem, or lack therof, go to your nearest western wear store & pick up some scout hat stiffener & spray it on & see if that alleviates the problem. Once the stiffener sets up, you can then reshape the brim with a little steam.

Thanx!!!
Charlie

 

[Ledfeather]

Good morning! Do you keep a pen or a pin in you fedora? If it is the latter, I would avoid doing such. As to the stiffness problem, or lack therof, go to your nearest western wear store & pick up some scout hat stiffener & spray it on & see if that alleviates the problem. Once the stiffener sets up, you can then reshape the brim with a little steam.

Thanx!!!
Charlie

i do, yeah. i have, though, started using a playing card to help support the weight of my pen. i know i shouldnt do it, but, im a forgetful sort, who doesnt always have pockets. i do though, always have a hat on. i would never have a *pin* other than the ones that come with some older stetsons. im a purist.

how stiff is that spray going to make things? will it damage the felt? these hats are what i would consider soft. one of them is even slightly fuzzy.