FRIED PORK…aka…Hat stretching disaster.

[Spellflower]

I do remember Shrinky Dinks. As I recall, they were a heckuva lot more fun than what happened to you, though.

I guess it's just a risk I'll have to take. I'd hate to mess up this beautiful hat, but I really want to wear it. Worst case scenario, it has to be replaced.

Again, sorry for your loss.

 

[GWD]

As Promised

THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE FAINT OF HEART, YOU MAY WANT TO TURN OFF YOUR TELEVISION SETS.

It is now hard and brittle. I don't know what you guys should look out for but beware this could happen to you!!:rage:

 

[AlanC]

 

[Tango Yankee]

Oh, my...

I Lexoled a Whippet sweat the other day. Didn't get the results you got but it was too far gone for the treatment to do any good.

I guess that you go ahead and treat it; if something bad happens it needed replacing anyway! lol

I'll sew a new sweat in myself. It's a somewhat stingy-brimmed hat measuring in at 1 13/16" wide with an overwelt edge. Glued-in liner. Not your typical Whippet.

Regards,
Tom

 

[M_Jones]

I had the same thing happen to me with a Herbert Johnson. The sweatband felt all right but after steaming the hat the sweat turned into goo then became brittle. I wonder why this happens on some hats? [huh]

P.S. Graham will work wonders on your hat!

 

[GWD]

P.S. Graham will work wonders on your hat!

I just got back from the UPS store, it's on it's way!

 

[Spellflower]

 

[jimmy the lid]

Yikes! You're right, GWD -- that is indeed horrifying. As a rule, I use Lexol to condition my sweats just so that they will continue to hold up over time. I have found that it does a nice job of making the sweat a bit softer and more supple.

I wonder whether there was some kind of chemical reaction on your sweat due to some previous treatment.

Either way, I'm sure Optimo will do a nice job for you. Let us know what you think of the replacement sweat.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Peacoat]

When I stretch, I never use steam, but might mist the hat before I stretch it. Sometimes no mist, just gently stretch by degrees--a little at a time. Does this do any damage to the hat?

 

[Spellflower]

I dunno, you tell me!

I still haven't gotten around to stretching, but I'm soaking up all the knowledge I can. I'd say that if this method has worked for you, it's probably okay, no?

 

[Spatterdash]

Ive never had any problems with steam melting a sweatband.. Like Andykev said you need to examine them first. I also use Pecards Antique Leather Conditioner, rather than Lexol, and have seen no issues with it. [huh]

How do you use Pecards and not end up with a tacky or a sticky finish?

 

[Stoney]

I rub it in pretty well and wipe all of the excess off after applying it. By the time that it is dry it is no longer tacky.

I was thinking about the problem with Lexol ruining the sweatbands.. It could be that it's not the Lexol itself, bau a chemical reation caused by the Lexol in combination with whatever someone used previously to treat the leather. Any ideas?

 

[J.T.Marcus]

I rub it in pretty well and wipe all of the excess off after applying it. By the time that it is dry it is no longer tacky.

I was thinking about the problem with Lexol ruining the sweatbands.. It could be that it's not the Lexol itself, bau a chemical reation caused by the Lexol in combination with whatever someone used previously to treat the leather. Any ideas?

It's a chemical reaction between Lexol and BRYLCREEM.

 

[ideaguy]

different companies used leather preservatives on the sweatbands-had a sheet processed with the chemicals, then the cutting, embossing, sewing took place; so the problem is in the leather itself (most of the time), and it's hard to tell which reaction you're going to get. The best quality hats didn't get "the treatment", and the sweatbands feel softer, more "leathery" in a vintage leather way-and if you turn the sweat inside out, the leather will seem smoother than in less expensive hats; I had the sweatband on a beautiful Stetson Twenty-Five curl and crackle, with just a bit of steam and stretching; it has a sheer fabric liner backing the leather-and I suspect that might have contributed to the reaction;
Leather has a memory, more than felt; that's why boot trees, shoe inserts, etc. keep the leather fed with lexol or picards, both sides if possible, and you should be able to stretch-with steam-(BUT MOSTLY ON THE OUTSIDE!!)and have fine results; I steam the daylights out of my hats, liner & sweat intact, but attack the outside 3-1 over the inside with a Jiffy Steamer, and use an old aluminum stretcher (electricity long gone), and go at it gradually; can go from 7 1/4 to 7 3/8+ with excellent results.Just test the leather first!!

 

[Spellflower]

Thanks for the encouragement, Ideaguy!

 

[jimmy the lid]

I had the sweatband on a beautiful Stetson Twenty-Five curl and crackle, with just a bit of steam and stretching; it has a sheer fabric liner backing the leather-and I suspect that might have contributed to the reaction;

Actually, you're onto something there, ideaguy. Vintage Stetsons will often have a layer of fabric between the sweatband and the felt -- the function of this layer is to prevent sweat from soaking through the sweatband and into the felt. This layer of fabric has clearly been treated, and is often sticky -- adhering to the leather sweatband. Steaming either the inside or outside of the hat can contribute to the fabric treatment transferring to the leather and causing a certain brittleness as a result. So, best to check on this before proceeding.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[alphy27]

leather

Having worked with leather as a hobbyist for over 20 years and worked with leather upholstery in the furniture industry for over six years I've learned a few helpful thing about leather. Every type of leather has a different chemistry. The job the leather is made for determines the kind of tanning process. There are a myriad of natural and industrial chemicals used. Unfortunately, with absolutely no way of knowing the chemistry of a vintage sweatband's leather its a crap shoot. Adding a leather treatment product and the heat of steam only complicates the issue. You run a big risk now matter what you do. Gentleman, I have nothing but sympathy for your plight. I've ruined some older leather items in the past as well. Luckily not a vintage sweatband, but the fickle finger of fate will find me eventually. If your gonna go swimming expect sharks.