Fedora Repairs circa 2020

[Spellflower]

Hello again, Fedora Lounge! It's been a while since I popped in, but I used to spend a lot of time here about a dozen years ago. Since then I've acquired more hats, and worn several of them to the point that they need some work.

Back in the day, Optimo was the preferred repair shop, but they stopped working on hats they didn't make. I had a guy here in Brooklyn, but he closed up shop last year.

So what are current recommendations for hat cleaning/repair/restoration?

 

[Peacoat]

I'm moving your thread to the Hats section, which is the proper section for it. PC

 

[Bamaboots]

Hello again, Fedora Lounge! It's been a while since I popped in, but I used to spend a lot of time here about a dozen years ago. Since then I've acquired more hats, and worn several of them to the point that they need some work.

Back in the day, Optimo was the preferred repair shop, but they stopped working on hats they didn't make. I had a guy here in Brooklyn, but he closed up shop last year.

So what are current recommendations for hat cleaning/repair/restoration?

https://www.etsy.com/shop/finevintagefedoras

 

[Spellflower]

I'm moving your thread to the Hats section, which is the proper section for it. PC

Ooops, sorry about that!

 

[Spellflower]

https://www.etsy.com/shop/finevintagefedoras

Thanks, this looks like a good option.

I've also had people elsewhere suggest JJ Hat Center, here in NYC: https://www.jjhatcenter.com/pages/repair-price-list

It would be nice to avoid shipping, but their prices are so hefty that I'm not sure I'd save anything. I'm also surprised they don't list cleaning services.

 

[Bamaboots]

Thanks, this looks like a good option.

I've also had people elsewhere suggest JJ Hat Center, here in NYC: https://www.jjhatcenter.com/pages/repair-price-list

It would be nice to avoid shipping, but their prices are so hefty that I'm not sure I'd save anything. I'm also surprised they don't list cleaning services.

Never had any experience with JJ and can’t remember folks here talking about them for repairs and refurbs. I’ve used the fellow in the link I sent several times and have always been happy with his work. The two way shipping does raise what are otherwise very reasonable prices.

 

[belfastboy]

Hello again, Fedora Lounge! It's been a while since I popped in, but I used to spend a lot of time here about a dozen years ago. Since then I've acquired more hats, and worn several of them to the point that they need some work.

Back in the day, Optimo was the preferred repair shop, but they stopped working on hats they didn't make. I had a guy here in Brooklyn, but he closed up shop last year.

So what are current recommendations for hat cleaning/repair/restoration?

There is a big gap in this area it seems most custom hatters here in the lounge are backed up with hat orders and if they take in repairs it can be lengthy. I have not used him but Bond here in the Lounge and also at Etsy.co. - "FineVintageFedoras" offers refurb service. I have purchased refurbed hats from him and he offers good product at a fair price. He is in Wisconsin.

 

[Just Daniel]

Only half joking, if you travel to Mexico City for a week or so you can get Ignacio Reyes to do a full refurb on your hats. His prices have been going up with demand but he the last time I was there he was still very reasonable for a full cleaning, refurb, resize, re-whatever.

Sure, it’s far-fetched, but maybe you travel there on business or you’ve always wanted to visit? If you take five hats you’ll save enough to cover part of the airfare.

https://www.timeoutmexico.mx/ciudad-de-mexico/shopping/sombrereria-escandon

Daniel

PS Here are some before pics posted by Allen off eBay and the after on a heavily stained 40s 7XCB. Ignacio cleaned it and flipped it inside out and rotated it front to back. After pics about three posts below this link.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/stetson-vita-felt.2822/page-20#post-2562246

 

[deadlyhandsome]

It’s hard to find a shop that is willing to do this kind of work. And, like @belfastboy said the wait times are going way up when you do find a shop. If you don’t mind waits approaching a year you can see if David at VS will accept the work:

https://vscustomhats.com/services/

Az Tex is another possibility:

https://www.aztexhats.com/shopcontent.asp?type=hatrenovations

Good luck.

 

[jlee562]

Wellema has started taking renovations again, and I recently discovered Eclipse Hat Shop through Instagram.

 

[Spellflower]

Only half joking, if you travel to Mexico City for a week or so you can get Ignacio Reyes to do a full refurb on your hats. His prices have been going up with demand but he the last time I was there he was still very reasonable for a full cleaning, refurb, resize, re-whatever.

Sure, it’s far-fetched, but maybe you travel there on business or you’ve always wanted to visit? If you take five hats you’ll save enough to cover part of the airfare.

https://www.timeoutmexico.mx/ciudad-de-mexico/shopping/sombrereria-escandon

Daniel

PS Here are some before pics posted by Allen off eBay and the after on a heavily stained 40s 7XCB. Ignacio cleaned it and flipped it inside out and rotated it front to back. After pics about three posts below this link.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/stetson-vita-felt.2822/page-20#post-2562246

I LOVE that idea, and so does my girlfriend. She just checked flights, and it's only $300-$400 for a round trip from NYC to MC. If it weren't for the little matter of the deadly virus we'd be booking now.

 

[Spellflower]

It’s hard to find a shop that is willing to do this kind of work. And, like @belfastboy said the wait times are going way up when you do find a shop. If you don’t mind waits approaching a year you can see if David at VS will accept the work:

https://vscustomhats.com/services/

Az Tex is another possibility:

https://www.aztexhats.com/shopcontent.asp?type=hatrenovations

Good luck.

I don't mind waiting, if the results are worth it! I know VS from the Art days, but I wasn't clear on where things stand now. I'm guessing this price list is no longer accurate:
https://vscustomhats.com/services/

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I don't mind waiting, if the results are worth it! I know VS from the Art days, but I wasn't clear on where things stand now. I'm guessing this price list is no longer accurate:
https://vscustomhats.com/services/

It’s accurate (as far as I know). David Gibson was doing most all of the repair work for Art when Art haD VS. David also has/had his own custom shop and is now running VS too. David wouldn’t even make a rough estimate for repair work when I recently asked.

 

[Just Daniel]

Yes, better to wait.

I have flown with more than ten hats in carry-on, luggage, and on my head. Ignacio will resize up or down, replace ribbons, re-attach sweatbands, clean hats in an industrial solvent, flip them inside out, reverse them, and leave them appearing as close to as new as possible.

Moth bites and leather repair are mostly limited to minor cosmetic repairs.

Just in case....

All the best,
Daniel

I LOVE that idea, and so does my girlfriend. She just checked flights, and it's only $300-$400 for a round trip from NYC to MC. If it weren't for the little matter of the deadly virus we'd be booking now.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Never had any experience with JJ and can’t remember folks here talking about them for repairs and refurbs. I’ve used the fellow in the link I sent several times and have always been happy with his work. The two way shipping does raise what are otherwise very reasonable prices.

I went to Van at JJ Hat Repair on a few occasions for a ribbon change, cleaning, and a brim modification to an old parabuntal. The repairs were... OK. The ribbon was stitched on rather sloppily, and I asked him to tack parts of it down before I took it back. I asked for a rolled brim and got a sharply folded one. Not ideal. And not exactly cheap. Still, I'd go back for small things because they're friendly and the only remaining full service hatter in NYC.

 

[dkstott]

I've had some minor repairs (ribbon replacement, reflanging) done by Van at JJ Hat's. He's done nice work. Typical turn around time is 2-3 weeks after receipt.

It certainly isn't cheap, but there's nobody anywhere in the northeast who does repairs.

Delmonico stopped doing anything more than steaming & brushing several ago.

 

[belfastboy]

I can't shake the thought that if I had some cash to burn I would open a hat shop....custom hats and repairs. I would only open 2-3 days a week, have a great coffee machine, comfortable seats and it would be a place for folks to drop in, maybe look at hats but mostly a place to hang out and talk about all things hats. Kind of a faux business but really just a hat lovers clubhouse.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I can't shake the thought that if I had some cash to burn I would open a hat shop....custom hats and repairs. I would only open 2-3 days a week, have a great coffee machine, comfortable seats and it would be a place for folks to drop in, maybe look at hats but mostly a place to hang out and talk about all things hats. Kind of a faux business but really just a hat lovers clubhouse.

I don’t make it to BC that often, but I’d love to drop in. Sounds like a place where a day could be well spent.

 

[belfastboy]

I don’t make it to BC that often, but I’d love to drop in. Sounds like a place where a day could be well spent.

Time well wasted!

 

[1961MJS]

I can't shake the thought that if I had some cash to burn I would open a hat shop....custom hats and repairs. I would only open 2-3 days a week, have a great coffee machine, comfortable seats and it would be a place for folks to drop in, maybe look at hats but mostly a place to hang out and talk about all things hats. Kind of a faux business but really just a hat lovers clubhouse.

Hi

You're describing Buckaroo Hatters in Covington Tennessee. I live in Norman Oklahoma and took a friend of mine from work to Covington to get a new hat. Dan refers to Mike Moore's place as "The Adult Men's Day Care where you Buy Hats"

No coffee machine though and now Dan's girlfriend wants to go to.

Later