Federation Fuzzies + #200 sandpaper = ?

[scotrace]

First off, I like my Federation Deluxe from Akubra. It has been drenched repeatedly, stepped on, sat on, worn in heavy snowfall and warm sun. Never a bit of taper, and gets softer every time I plop it on my head, which is a few times a week, year 'round.

Like many of the Feds, it has gotten a little nappy. We've had discussions of "pouncing" here before: sandpaper is taken in hand and after a few hours (months) work, you have a lovely, smooth felt.

Has anyone ever tried this on a fuzzy Fed? Did it help?

 

[jake_fink]

I'd like to know this myself, since all my Federations look like they were made out of Fozzy Bear hide.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Scott, do try this but not with 200 grit. Use 320 and lightly...let me repeat..LIGHTLY sand in a counter clockwise direction on the top side of the hat and clockwise on the underside of the brim. This should bring the finish back somewhat. Let us know how it goes!!

 

[Davidson]

Just ran this experiment!

Two days ago I bought some 150 grit and 320 grit thin 4"x6" foam pads, sort of sandpaper replacement things, in the paint section at HD. They were made by Norton, called "3X" or something. I'm not talking about those soapbar sized sponge things, these are thinner than that, maybe 3/16"" thick.

150 made an improvement on the really rough surfaces I had on 3 hats. 320 made it quite acceptable (but not like a fine finish). I noticed some strange things maybe from putting too much pressure, almost like little welded sections. Maybe just sanding down to new powder But anyway that suggested going gently is good.

Then last night I tried 600 grit sandpaper and 000 "artificial" steel wool. I didn't like that any better than the 320, so I didn't go far with that.

The think sponge pads are nice since I think it evens out the pressure and also you can fold them into curves, which is tough with sandpaper. I could even sand the crown! I cut them down into quarters to make them easier to use on hats. Have a hat brush at hand, to keep the fuzz dusted off as you go.

Good luck!

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

An FYI

Steel wool is coated with oil, use caution anytime when using.

 

[Jerekson]

Go for it

I did this to my Federation, and never regretted it.

I can't remember what grit I used. Maybe 400. whatever it was, it did the trick, and my Federation is a smooth as ever.

Do it.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Davidson...put down the 150 & step away from the hat... OK , you got some basics but I never go rougher than 220 and never finer that 400. Reason? The 150 with take off too much felt at a time and anything over 400
will tend to "mottle" the felt. Also, every hat I make and renovate I use this method but never with a pad. The pad doesn't let you "feel" the felt and alot of the technique is feel. Since you are working with an already "finished" hat you really need to go gently, otherwise you can easily sand into the core, leaving those "shiny spots" and creating alot more work for yourself to get rid of them. That's another whole ball game!!

 

[Davidson]

Thanks for the advice, Art!

Davidson...put down the 150 & step away from the hat... OK , you got some basics but I never go rougher than 220 and never finer that 400. Reason? The 150 with take off too much felt at a time and anything over 400
will tend to "mottle" the felt. Also, every hat I make and renovate I use this method but never with a pad. The pad doesn't let you "feel" the felt and alot of the technique is feel. Since you are working with an already "finished" hat you really need to go gently, otherwise you can easily sand into the core, leaving those "shiny spots" and creating alot more work for yourself to get rid of them. That's another whole ball game!!

They got so rough by me making another mistake, water soaking and wet scrubbing them. Now I know about alcohol and naptha. But you're right of course, 320 gets there soon enough. I don't yet understand about the core of the felt, or why things got worse using 800 grit instead of better, so I just quit. But I'm learning pretty quick, and you and many others here make a great learning center. And I thank you for that.

Do you know any way to get powder out of a hat? I've got a Resistol "Mist" color just full of powder. Neither water, alcohol nor naptha dissolve it. I could beat it out back like a rug, I guess

 

[Atomic Glee]

I beveled the edge of my Federation's brim at home not too long ago, forgot what grit I used though (it's early here) but it was quite fine. Art's right (of course) - have to be cautious not to use too rough a paper, as it'll do odd things to the finish.