This photo shows slight damage on the front brim of a 2002 Borsalino. It is similar to (but I can't verify) a Rosati model. I'm not sure what this would have been called back then, it was made for Ferster Hatters, similar to how Rosati was for Bencraft. I think this is a worn spot that seems to have lost a layer of felt (if that makes sense). Can this be repaired? Can it be done by a non-professional? Looking for ideas. Thanks.
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Looking for advice on repairing the felt on an '02 Borsalino
- Thread starter jeffgarf
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- #borsalino #repair
jlee562
I'll Lock Up
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Maybe a dumb question, but you have tried just steaming and brushing?
It's possible that this is a worn spot if you handle the brim by that area. But hard to tell exactly what this is from the pic.
If you've already tried steaming and brushing, have you tried a hat sponge? That will actually (gently) remove a bit of the top layer, kinda like buffing a paint job.
It's possible that this is a worn spot if you handle the brim by that area. But hard to tell exactly what this is from the pic.
If you've already tried steaming and brushing, have you tried a hat sponge? That will actually (gently) remove a bit of the top layer, kinda like buffing a paint job.
Thanks, yeah I have tried the steaming and brushing (and steaming and brushing some more). I am thinking it is a worn spot of some kind (there are actually 2, one on either side of center). I am just trying to determine if it's repairable.
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Is there actually missing felt? It is unusual to have two wear spots on the brim in that area. Or is it just discoloration of the felt? Two very different approaches depending on what is the problem. Cannot tell from the pic. What is your best estimation of the issue? Wear or discoloration?
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So, I would not accept this as a commission but if it were my hat and feeling adventuresome I would attempt the following. First attempt would be to 'lure' the felt with fractionated coconut oil. Ball up a cotton cloth, warm the oil (do not overheat), and rub into the area and around the entire brim. The oil will darken the felt and perhaps chase some of the dye into the lighter coloured area. Second would be to attempt to raise the felt on the worn area. I would buy a toothbrush sized brush with stainless steel or brass bristles (autoparts store). Use the brush to very gently raise the nap in the affected area.
Then with a fine grit sand paper, smooth out the felt a bit so it blends back in. The luring is the action with little risk, raising the nap is a bit more risky but if you go slow and are gentle you won't increase the damage and it may help.
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I have used both the above numerous times on my own hats I was restoring to good results. It is risky and I would be hesitant to accept a commission to work on someone else's hat with these issues.
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Give it gentle hit with a fine grit sandpaper see what happens. I would definitely try the luring. It does not look to me like the nap is gone. Could it be a stain of some sort? You could also give it a spritz of denatured alcohol.
