Suggestions to clean stains in brim binding? (photo)

[Torpedo]

Hello,

I have a hat ( a vintage Stetson Whippet, grey with golden brown brim binding), in rehab, which some very recalcitrant stains in the brim binding. They are found all around the brim, specially on, but not restricted to, the underside of the brim. They do look like rust, although I do not know what they are, in fact.

I have tried everything: naphta, diluted soap, diluted vinegar, saliva, and the stains do not seem the least bit affected, not even reduced or dissimulated.

I even thought about dyeing the ribbon on place, in dark grey for instance, but I imagine there is a strong possibility the dye extends to the felt outside the boundaries of the sewn ribbon, and makes the problem worse.

Could anyone offer any new suggestion? It would be great if I could fix this at home, if not, I guess the only answer will be to send it to a professional for cleaning or replacing the ribbon.

Regards!

 

[carter]

Torpedo, FRankly, you're a braver man than I. I'd never have tried so many different ways to clean that binding. It appears that, the only thing you haven't done is to remove the binding altogether.

After trying all the things you already have, I'd send it to a pro for restoration.

 

[randooch]

Should you want to continue along the do-it-yourself path, it seems to me that the brim binding is about the easiest part of the hat to remove and replace. You could take it off, dye it at home with some RIT dye, then sew it back on even without a machine. Kind of depends on whether or not you enjoy dinking with stuff like that. I get a kick out of it . . . Best of luck!

 

[Lefty]

It might seem easy, but, based upon this thread, I wouldn't even consider messing with that binding. Send it to a pro.

Should you want to continue along the do-it-yourself path, it seems to me that the brim binding is about the easiest part of the hat to remove and replace. You could take it off, dye it at home with some RIT dye, then sew it back on even without a machine. Kind of depends on whether or not you enjoy dinking with stuff like that. I get a kick out of it . . . Best of luck!

 

[randooch]

Wow, thanks for the thread reference, Lefty. After reading that, I too would send it to a pro. Sheesh, the labor!

 

[barrowjh]

You may be looking at a complete restoration. I think one hatter told me that you had to completely reblock a hat body back to its simplest round shape, flat, even brim to sew a brim binding back on. If my recollection is correct, that would mean complete dis-assembly of the hat, likely resulting in a decision to replace all the ribbons and the sweatband.

 

[RBH]

I say chalk it up to 'character'.
Lets see it on!!!!