The Trials and Tribulations of Hat Stiffener

[LuvMyMan]

Just a reminder that off-the-shelf shellac comes in 2 hues. There's orange shellac as well as clear shellac (somewhat yellowish). The former would be less likely to change the color of a brown hat whereas the clear version would be better for other colors.

I have used the off the shelf Kahl in a pump spray bottle. It is very clear and normally will be fine to use, HOWEVER before anyone uses any stiffener, sponge and brush your hat like crazy! If not, you will trap anything on the surface of the hat under the spray....not good! Also any time you spray a hat, do not rush anything. Hat stiffener is meant to be applies a small light application until dry and then again, until you get it where you want it. To rush is mess, I know I currently have a super nice fedora that I soaked with the spray....not smart. Now the brim is splotchy and hard as a board! I may have to ship it to a hatter and have Tonyb work his magic on it over to Tumwater Hats.

 

[Moviehats]

I use a mix of 1/3 Shellac, 1/3 Denatured Alcohol, and 1/3 Kahl hat stiffener (helps keep the sprayer from clogging). Make sure to steam it in after applying.

 

[James Davis]

Hello everyone, not trying to hijack this thread. I am new to this site and I am making my first hat (caviler/musketeer). can anyone point me in the direction of a post that outlines the steps of steam forming the hat, putting stiffener on, etc. for instance..... do I form the hat first then the stiffener or the other way around. Basic things of that nature. Best regards James.

 

[Marcelle]

Hi everyone. I've been wearing the same old crappy hat for over thirty years. It's the only one I've ever owned, except ball caps.

About a year ago I started shopping for a new and "good" hat. Happy to say I purchased a fairly nice fedora recently and love it.

Now for the reason for this post. Since the old hat was such a wreck, I decided to see what I could do to fix it and thanks to the information I have obtained from this site and others around the web, I decided to take the leap. God knows it couldn't be any worse.

I'm a woodworker and since I was using shellac on my current project, I decided to whip out the old hat and have a go at it during my slack times. I read a lot about the fact that there are so many different recipes for shellac on hats and never ever found even one, so, I decided to use my current open container. I started out by using my HVLP sprayer. I did not like the results. Even at very low pressure, I observed a fairly heavy build up in certain areas. It looked sort of like rime and was most unpleasant. Since then, I have taken to a hair bristle brush for applying the shellac.

Initially, I used a 1 to 1 ratio of the shellac product below. After awhile, I decided to go on to use it full strength. I liked the results much better. This shellac is a 2lb. cut. Most others that you buy at the big box stores (in the cans) are a 4lb. cut. That difference is not so much an issue as the fact that they have wax in them. You can dilute any of them, but I think the inclusion of wax might be an issue. We have learned over the years that the wax in shellac is what leaves the nasty rings on your coffee table when you leave a wet glass there. This new product is wax free, and since I wear my hat in the woods when it's raining and snowing, I think this could be an issue.

So, after much cleaning, forming (I removed the pinch just for fun) and shellacking, this is where I am now. I know it looks terrible in this photo, and it is pretty bad, but it doesn't look this bad in person. I'm wearing it as a work hat and when I go photographing in the woods and mountains, so beauty is not an issue. However, there are some things that need to be dealt with and I'm not sure where to go from here, so, maybe some of you guys can steer me in the right direction.

The questions are these:
Is there a way to get some uniformity to the finish?
Is there some product to use to finish the hat after shellac to help with scrapes and scratches?

I've cut a new sweatband, ribbon and bow and they are waiting to be installed, but need to get this thing straightened out first.

When using the Shellac did it not leave behind a brown like colour? I'm currently using Colron French Polish which a 100% shellac but it leave behind a browny like colour.

 

[TheDane]

When using the Shellac did it not leave behind a brown like colour? I'm currently using Colron French Polish which a 100% shellac but it leave behind a browny like colour.

Shellac comes in many shades of yellow, orange, red and brown. The lightest variation, "platina", is pretty close to color-less when dry

 

[Marcelle]

Shellac comes in many shades of yellow, orange, red and brown. The lightest variation, "platina", is pretty close to color-less when dry

Thank you Sir. Unfortunately we cant really get the patina shellac. could you recommend anything else? at the moment I'm using a PVA to stiffen the hats but doesn't quite give me the result I'm looking for.

 

[Moviehats]

I use 50% Bull's-eye with 50% alcohol. Never had any problems. I think the trick is to keep it well mixed while spraying.

 

[LevendiPaul]

In the past
Working as a commercial floor sealing specialist this subject has tweaked my interest and thought on how I came about to using a product that I used on a daily basis at work.
Testing first on general felt fabric to get the mix and feel right then tried it on a hat - this is the recipe

For a hat stiffener
I use water based floor sealer ( used in commercial floors )
Strong mix 10 parts of water to 1 part sealer
Weak mix up to 20 parts of water to 1 part sealer
I personally use 4 to 6 very thin coats
It can be brushed on or sprayed on
The product dries in 20 min for re application but full dry is several hours to 24 hours depending on temperature

That’s my secret that I’m willing to share with the Fedora Lounge community

 

[Boucaneer]

Hi, I would like to stiffen the brim on my bowler hat in the traditional way, to make the brim really stiff for added protection from impacts.

Does anyone have any recipes using the Blonde Shellac flakes please?

I have 100 grams of Blonde Shellac flakes and would like to know best to mix it with, and at what ratio.
The mixing liquid doesn't have to be traditional, a modern liquid would be acceptable.

I plan to use a brush for application instead of using a spray.

I hope you may be able to assist and advise.

Cheers,

Alex.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hi, I would like to stiffen the brim on my bowler hat in the traditional way, to make the brim really stiff for added protection from impacts.

Does anyone have any recipes using the Blonde Shellac flakes please?

I have 100 grams of Blonde Shellac flakes and would like to know best to mix it with, and at what ratio.
The mixing liquid doesn't have to be traditional, a modern liquid would be acceptable.

I plan to use a brush for application instead of using a spray.

I hope you may be able to assist and advise.

Cheers,

Alex.

Have you already looked here:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/actual-shellac-as-a-hat-stiffener.55628/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Boucaneer]

Yes, the Initial O.P's recipe explained a 2-1 Ratio of Shellac to Alcohol, and other recipes mentioned in the thread explained a 1-9 or 10 Ratio of Shellac to Alcohol.

So decided to ask directly for a tried and proven recipe for confirmation.

Thank you.

 

[Boucaneer]

Re

I've used shellac (Zissner's wax-free sanding sealer to be exact) diluted with alcohol (10 parts alcohol to 1 part shellac) in a pump spray bottle with good results. I dilute the shellac this much to avoid the accidental overstiffening.

I would like to try a Shellac and Alcohol mix on a Wool Felt Bowler Hat with padded protective crown.

I would like to stiffen the brim to a protective lever, so may need to " over stiffen " the brim.

Any suggestions as to a correct ratio for the Blonde Shellac and Alcohol mix please?

Thank you.

 

[moehawk]

I have not used shellac flakes before, only the ready-to-use type. The Zissner's Sanding Sealer has worked well for me, diluted with alcohol 10:1. That ratio is for light stiffening, much easier to reapply if more stiffness is needed than to remove if too much is used.
I would follow the instructions for reconstituting your shellac flakes as though you were going to use it to finish wood, then dilute further from there. For the stiffness you want, try a 3:1 alcohol to mixed shellac ratio. I remember trying that mix once and it made a felt hood stiff as cardboard.
And, if possible, get a beat up old felt hat of a similar type at a thrift store or flea market to test on before applying it to your good hat.
Hope it helps!

 

[Mustang Mike's Hats]

If i was going to make my own (and I'm seriously considering it). I'd go "light" on the mix and slowly add additional shellac. You can always add more, but once it's mixed, your stuck. The mix I liked was the 1 oz. Shellac flake to two liters (1/2 gallon) of alcohol. If its not enough add a bit more shellac, right?

 

[Boucaneer]

Thank you Moehawk, I shall test a 1/10 AND 1/3 Shellac/Alcohol Ratio.

I would like the brim to be as strong and protective as possible.

I have an old ruined felt hat to experiment on, that's a great idea.

I found a video recommending Bio-Ethanol for the Alcohol solution.

Cheers and Thanks again.

 

[Boucaneer]

Thank you Mike, yes I shall experiment with an old ruined hat that I have.

Maybe numerous layers of less concentrated shellac is better anyway.

Here's a video I found where he was using 30 AND 50 grams of shellac into Two Litre of Bio-Ethanol.

Cheers.

 

[Boucaneer]

Today I have mixed up Four pots of 10 grams of DeWaxed Blonde Shellac flakes with 100 grams of Bio-Ethanol and shall wait for it to dissolve before applying onto an old wool Bowler Hat using a cut down painting brush.

I shall post my findings once completed.

Kind regards.

 

[Dm101]

Use (Bulls Eye Clear Shellac) and denatued alcohol, the ratio you were using is ok, always shake well before spraying, I have used this many times, and works good. But use the brand Bulls Eye Clear Shellac.

Major Moore

Awesome, just picked up a can today.
Will be stiffening up the amish tonight!

 

[Dm101]

Thank you so much for posting your experimentation @Doc Glockster.
I am going to do the same thing tonight to my hat.
I truly appreciate you sharing what you did...I am going to use your trials in my experimentation tonight.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Today I have mixed up Four pots of 10 grams of DeWaxed Blonde Shellac flakes with 100 grams of Bio-Ethanol and shall wait for it to dissolve before applying onto an old wool Bowler Hat using a cut down painting brush.

I shall post my findings once completed.

Kind regards.

Darn...pretty long experiment...i just use hairspray for “brim flaccidity”.
B