The Cavanagh - Saturday Morning Suprise

[Cane Rod Maker]

Saturday started off to be a good day. The doorbell rang this morning; and I awoke to receive my first vintage Fedora. The 50's circa Cavanagh arrived today safe and sound. The hat is extremely nice and was well kept over the Decades.

I guess it would not hurt to get it dry cleaned before I go and mess around with it. Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Tim

 

[duggap]

From what I have heard, there are no dry cleaners left around that know how or have the equipment to do a hat. If a good brushing will not do, then send it to Optimo Hats of Chicago.

 

[gtdean48]

Brush it very well, wipe out the sweatband with disinfectant & then apply some leather cleaner/conditioner = I use Lexol wipes from the tack store. Get a large zip lock bag big enough to hold the hat, put the hat in the bag & put the whole thing in a freezer for 2-3 days to kill any potential critters = Tip from HPGene.
After that, brush it again, wipe the sweatband, wear it in good health. If it is real dirty, then do a naptha dunk. See threads on that topic. HTH

 

[zetwal]

Welcome to the world of Saturday morning surprises. Caution, before you know it you will be having them Monday through Saturday!

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Thanks for the information....something else....

Good information on cleaning & thanks for the lead; I will look at the other information you put out there for me as well. Thanks !

The only thing I noticed, while I was messing around with doing a bash, it was that my fingers were picking up a darkness from working the felt. Is it dirt/dust in the felt? The hat is Grey, the fingers were getting a dark tint on them.

Thanks again !

 

[gtdean48]

More than likely dust & dirt. Some hats had a powder put on them. Brush it well to get that & dust off.