Steam Wins!

[D.W. Suratt]

For those of you who are still using a spray bottle to shape your hats, take the advice of the many loungers who have advocated steam as the way to shape. I finally broke down and got myself a tea kettle, and the results are amazing. It is so much easier to obtain the results you are wanting using steam, and you see the results in seconds rather than waiting to see if the hat will stay in the shape you put it. I did several of my hats tonight. Two I was on the verge of tossing out they had become so frustrating by not staying in the shape of when I wet them. One is a nice vintage tan Lee that I won off e-bay. The hat just would not take a shape and hold it. I also removed wrinkles from several hats that I could not get out by wetting. Give it try you will not be disappointed. I will post a pic of the Lee as soon as I get a chance.

 

[Wil Tam]

been doing that for years!

make sure you ball up a bath towel and shove it into the cavity before you start steaming out the creases that way you have something to hold on to so that you don't burn yourself ... plus you will end up with a open crown when you are done, I also found that when doing this you reactivate the stiffener in the felt of the vintage lids. :eusa_clap

 

[dr greg]

watch it

Be VERY careful when steaming that it doesn't wrinkle the sweatband, if it does, it's done for and has to be replaced, I've even seen this happen in a hat shop when someone wasn't attentive enough, I prefer warm water myself.

 

[D.W. Suratt]

I applied the steam to the topside of the hat only even when doing the brim. I kept my hand on the inside of the hat. You can feel when the steam is starting to come through. I never felt the sweatband get hot even when doing the brim.

 

[Wil Tam]

ribbon or sweat?

Be VERY careful when steaming that it doesn't wrinkle the sweatband, if it does, it's done for and has to be replaced, I've even seen this happen in a hat shop when someone wasn't attentive enough, I prefer warm water myself.

I stay away from the 'ribbon' because the steam can stretch it .. I also stay away from the inner leather sweat band because the steam will shrink it .. good tip dr greg!

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Now playing: Sam Cooke - When I Fall In Love
via FoxyTunes

 

[KY Gentleman]

I've used steam, water and even an iron before with pretty good results. Now though I prefer a dry bash. Just punch the top in and mangle the crown into a shape you like. Its easier to "re-bash" if you end up not liking what you come up with or change your mind on a style.
I'm glad you found a method you like though!

 

[RobFedoraField]

steam vs water

I have to say, I'm a fan of warm water. I haven't worked with any vintage hats.

the steam worked ok on my Fed4 but when I wet bashed it, I had plently of time to shape it, make sure it was even, it stays pliable much longer.

if you're just "adjusting" the hat, steam is great, but for a full reshaping, I still like warm water.

by the way, does anyone know how many times you can wet / steam / dry bash a hat without doing damage to it?

 

[gtdean48]

I have to say, I'm a fan of warm water. I haven't worked with any vintage hats.

the steam worked ok on my Fed4 but when I wet bashed it, I had plently of time to shape it, make sure it was even, it stays pliable much longer.

if you're just "adjusting" the hat, steam is great, but for a full reshaping, I still like warm water.

by the way, does anyone know how many times you can wet / steam / dry bash a hat without doing damage to it?

Rob, Do you dip the hat in warm water or use a spray bottle filled with warm water? Do you remove the liner or leave it in? I've always used steam or shaped after getting caught in the rain. I have this attachment that goes into a tea kettle, rubber stopper with a brass pipe coming out. It directs steam very well. TIA... gtd

 

[rgraham]

All the professional hatters I've seen use steam. I think that says a lot.

 

[RBH]

All the professional hatters I've seen use steam. I think that says a lot.

True, I have seen Mike Moore steam a few hats and do a wonderful job, but I would call what hatters have as 'forced' steam. Man the way the steam shoots out of Mikes steamer is something. You really have to watch what you do. You could burn yourself or really mess up a hat, it does not take much to do the job. But for me to do a home crease, I have found water from a spray bottle to be best. I just cant get the amount of steam from my kettle that Mike has with his steamer.

 

[Dewhurst]

I just cant get the amount of steam from my kettle that Mike has with his steamer.

I use steam, but I have always had a problem getting the proper amount of steam as well. [huh]

On one occasion, I had a pot of coffee brewing. I looked over at it to see how far it had progressed and steam was just pouring out of it in a concentrated "jet". Oh crud!, I thought, and ran and grabbed a hat that needed the brim to be re-shaped.

Worked like a charm, but I have never been able to replicate that one-off with the coffee brewer.

 

[RobFedoraField]

Rob, Do you dip the hat in warm water or use a spray bottle filled with warm water? Do you remove the liner or leave it in? I've always used steam or shaped after getting caught in the rain. I have this attachment that goes into a tea kettle, rubber stopper with a brass pipe coming out. It directs steam very well. TIA... gtd

I use luke warm water from the sink sprayer at a low pressure, I leave the liner in, but never wet it enought for the liner to get wet.

I think I see a common theme in the replies. I as well only use a tea kettle for steam. maybe that's my problem. never a lot of pressure, or steam, but a lot of heat.

I've seen steam units for ~150 or so for hatters, but I can't justify the price of a new akubra just to reshape the ones that I already have.

 

[Wil Tam]

longer tighter spout

I use steam, but I have always had a problem getting the proper amount of steam as well. [huh]

On one occasion, I had a pot of coffee brewing. I looked over at it to see how far it had progressed and steam was just pouring out of it in a concentrated "jet". Oh crud!, I thought, and ran and grabbed a hat that needed the brim to be re-shaped.

Worked like a charm, but I have never been able to replicate that one-off with the coffee brewer.

I have something very close to this one .. and the steam is concentrated

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Now playing: Foo Fighters - Walking After You
via FoxyTunes

 

[RBH]

Mike Moore and the steamer at Buckaroo Hatters...
this photo does not really show the force the steam is coming out at.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9941/026nw5.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a>

 

[jec]

I use steam too

I have something very close to this one .. and the steam is concentrated

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Now playing: Foo Fighters - Walking After You
via FoxyTunes

A cone of aluminum foil placed on the tip of a kettle with a wider spout will help concentrate the steam.

I have found that steam works well - and best of all, I can try on my hat immediately after shaping it and it's not soaking wet.

 

[GWD]

Jiffy Steamer

I bought one of these last year and use it for hats and clothes. It's super convenient and it saves time on ironing.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Rowenta Steamer

Here's what I use. The hose allows me to quickly apply steam exactly where I want it on the lid. Works like a charm.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[kaosharper1]

I've always used cold water, and never had any problems rebashing an Akubra. I've been afraid to use hot water because of shrinkage. Also, I only wet the top of the crown and I get it really wet so the felt can be easily molded.

I've never taken out creases though, so I could see that steam would be better.

 

[gtdean48]

found the package...

From my earlier reply...
"I have this attachment that goes into a tea kettle, rubber stopper with a brass pipe coming out."
This is a STEAMER ATTACHMENT from Kahl & Sons. It is part of a kit called "The Original FELT HAT RECONDITIONER". It & a "DUAL PURPOSE HAT CLEANING BRUSH" came together. I've seen Kahl Stiffener spray on Hat Care pages of some of the vendors.
This is by Col L.D. Kahl from Corvallis, Oregon, Item No. KSH 101
A really neat attachment to a standard teakettle, really concentrates the steam. I tried to google it but no luck... gtd

 

[bolthead]

I bought one of these last year and use it for hats and clothes. It's super convenient and it saves time on ironing.

I've been watching these for quite some time now, also the one that jimmy uses as well.....I'm just hoping that I see one for a cheaper closing cost than the units that are being sold now. I know they're worth it probably, I just can't afford to pay that much for a steamer when my kettle does a sufficient job for me. [huh]