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[The Shoe]

The difficulty in removing a stain from a hat is that it needs somewhere to go. If it is dirt then wetting the spot with water or alcohol will only disburse the spot into a bigger spot. As with clothing the stain must be flushed away and that is why a full naptha bath works.....there is enough liquid volume and strong enough to disolve many stains and then flush them fully out of the hat. If you attempt a spot clean you risk disbursing the spot and literally chasing it around the hat.
The risk of the shoe sponge is it could be too abrasive and remove too much fibre. If you go that route tread softly. I use a 3M white non abrasive pad to polish the felt . It might be best (safer) to live with the stain and consider it patina.

You could try packing tape (wrapped inside-out around your hand). Press it on the stain and lift it up. Depending on the type of stain, the tape may grab at least some of the dirt.

I’ve seen other have good luck using cornstarch or Bick or Scout cleaning if products. A light dabbing with an alcohol dampened cloth might help to dissolve and lift the stain, but a lot depends on what made the stain and how deep it is. I’d go slow and be prepared to abandon your efforts if there are any indications you’re making it worse. The good news is the stains are light and not really noticeable unless you’re looking for them.

Thanks for the advice guys.
It’ll be steam and brush to start with. I’ll try the tape as well. I have used it for stubborn lint before. I’m not confident it will work on these spots, but it’s worth a crack. If I can find a spot where a failure won’t be noticeable, I’ll give alcohol a go, too.
Next time I buy a hat from an overseas shop, I’ll look into getting sponges and other products at the same time.
I’d be interested to hear what everyone considers their hat maintenance essentials.

 

[Blare]

Thanks for the advice guys.
It’ll be steam and brush to start with. I’ll try the tape as well. I have used it for stubborn lint before. I’m not confident it will work on these spots, but it’s worth a crack. If I can find a spot where a failure won’t be noticeable, I’ll give alcohol a go, too.
Next time I buy a hat from an overseas shop, I’ll look into getting sponges and other products at the same time.
I’d be interested to hear what everyone considers their hat maintenance essentials.

One thing I do when trying to reduce a spot with dry brushing. In order to get a bit more aggressive. I will grab some of the brush bristles tightly between my fingers to strengthen them a bit and then work the spot back and forth in all directions to help dislodge as much dirty as possible. Digging in as deep as possible without freying the felt. this can work wet too with same technic or with sponge. But I always try to get as much of a stain out as I can when dry before getting it wet.. as stated above… can kinda spread the mud around.

 

[The Shoe]

One thing I do when trying to reduce a spot with dry brushing. In order to get a bit more aggressive. I will grab some of the brush bristles tightly between my fingers to strengthen them a bit and then work the spot back and forth in all directions to help dislodge as much dirty as possible. Digging in as deep as possible without freying the felt. this can work wet too with same technic or with sponge. But I always try to get as much of a stain out as I can when dry before getting it wet.. as stated above… can kinda spread the mud around.

Good advice. Thanks, Joe.
I have two brushes. One, that Hornskov threw in with one of my hats, is very soft. My first one, which I bought, is a bit stiffer, so I had planned on using that, but I’m sure doing as you suggest will help.

 

[pacolizarraga]

Anybody is familiar with brand "Ramsgate (or) Brenk Brothers"​

 

[John the Swede]

Any pictures of what you have in mind? Unless a vintage hat, a lot of “sharp” creases get there over time. Rain storms and man handling.

There is a technique I learned with old scout hats that may work but let me know what you have in mind and I may be able to give you better direction.
Johnny

Here's one I like but can't get the inside up (if that makes sense). Another is this strange square bash from Noah Beery's Rocky character - love this bash, but man, those sides are FLAT!

 

[John the Swede]

B

Here's one I like but can't get the inside up (if that makes sense). Another is this strange square bash from Noah Beery's Rocky character - love this bash, but man, those sides are FLAT!

Better image. What is that - a Strat?

 

[jeff]

B

Better image. What is that - a Strat?

Even bigger image... I'm guessing an open road?

Edit: you're probably right, John -- brim isn't big enough for an open road?

 

[jeff]

Another photo of Noah Berry:

 

[jeff]

John got me to watching some Rockford Files this afternoon.

Could probably do a whole post on Rocky's hats alone!

 

[jeff]

Found the square bash hat: Season 1, Episode 4:

 

[John the Swede]

Nice! Thanks Jeff. THAT is the bash, right there. Looks like those creases have been there forever.

 

[John the Swede]

BTW - I tried that square bash with a Campdraft but it looked comically large and boxy. Then I tried it on a new Strat but that looked small.

Feeling like Goldilocks...

 

[jeff]

John - I wonder if the hat size itself matters? Looking at Noah, he wears it really high - look how far up from his ear it resides. As such the "square" is actually pretty small.

 

[Who?]

I guess I don’t understand folks who wear a hat like they are wearing a teacup.

Not at all sure what they do on a windy day.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Has anyone cut the stitches on an underwelt brim treatment to give a hat more brim width as a raw edge? I can see how fading, sun bleaching, soiling, etc. would make an overwelt more if a problem, but on an underwelt…? I’m sure it’s been done before.

 

[M Hatman]

I guess I don’t understand folks who wear a hat like they are wearing a teacup.

Not at all sure what they do on a windy day.

Movie/TV magic........Allan Hale Senior was also shown on screen wearing hats that were both too small, and worn in such a way they would not stay on your head walking let alone out in a breeze..........don't want to cover the face even a little from the camera.

Here he is in a hat that actually fits.....note the proper crown proportions.

 

[jeff]

Does anyone know anything about Breyer hats of Chicago?

I bought this deep navy blue hat off the bay a few weeks back, planning on remaking as a pork pie for my brother, with a contrasting ribbon.

It’s rather gaudy In its current configuration with a gold buckle (ugh), so I’m guessing it’s newer, maybe 70s?, rather than older hat but I want to make sure I’m not destroying something of value before I take it apart.

 

[Zombie_61]

Does anyone know anything about Breyer hats of Chicago?

I bought this deep navy blue hat off the bay a few weeks back, planning on remaking as a pork pie for my brother, with a contrasting ribbon.

It’s rather gaudy In its current configuration with a gold buckle (ugh), so I’m guessing it’s newer, maybe 70s?, rather than older hat but I want to make sure I’m not destroying something of value before I take it apart.

Unless someone out there is looking for that exact hat I doubt you'll get any negative feedback. Besides, you bought it, it's yours, do with it what you will.

 

[jeff]

Unless someone out there is looking for that exact hat I doubt you'll get any negative feedback. Besides, you bought it, it's yours, do with it what you will.

True, true. I'm more looking for info for myself: *I* don't want to destroy a rare 1930's hat!

Pretty sure that's not what I have here, but since I've never heard of this particular hatter, I was wondering if anyone else had.

 

[Killick]

Does anyone know about a hat company called Yale Co-Op? They are no longer in business. I can't find anything online. I thought the collective here may know. I will post pictures shortly of the specific hat a friend of mine has from her boyfriends grandfather.