jlee562
I'll Lock Up
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- San Francisco, CA
Gel? I don't think you want to put hair gel on your hat. Hair spray is used by some as a substitute for stiffener.
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Hair Spray to Stiffen Felt?
- Thread starter Visigoth
- Start date
AbbaDatDeHat
I'll Lock Up
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- 8,645
Hair gel?? Scary!!
I’ve used regular old hairspray (Aquanet) many times and works like a charm. Others have not showed great enthusiasm at the idea but...works like a charm. Imho
Bowen
Ps: works lots better than spray starch.
Bowen
I’ve used regular old hairspray (Aquanet) many times and works like a charm. Others have not showed great enthusiasm at the idea but...works like a charm. Imho
Bowen
Ps: works lots better than spray starch.
Bowen
jlee562
I'll Lock Up
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- San Francisco, CA
I dunno, I just think of you want to stiffen your hat, buy a hat stiffener. It's not like Kahl and Scout stiffener is hard to track down.
I can't imagine there's any big mystery about scotchguard, spray it on. Others have noted in past threads that it changes the feel of the felt slightly.
I can't imagine there's any big mystery about scotchguard, spray it on. Others have noted in past threads that it changes the feel of the felt slightly.
Naphtali
Practically Family
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- Seeley Lake, Montana
I followed recommendations of replies. I returned hair gel and decided that since ScotchGuard® penetrates the fur felt, I would apply it first. Surface only sprays can be applied as needed. I had a subordinate reason also. It was mentioned that ScotchGuard's newer formulation acts as a slight stiffener.
Having sprayed on several light "coats," I detect no color change. Texture of fur felt feels as it did prior to ScotchGuard. There has been a modest but definite stiffening of the shaped fur felt. And, yes, hat's Schmutz and rain resistance is improved. So the total of my desired results has been achieved with the use of ScotchGuard for fabrics (the heavier duty version??) only.
Having sprayed on several light "coats," I detect no color change. Texture of fur felt feels as it did prior to ScotchGuard. There has been a modest but definite stiffening of the shaped fur felt. And, yes, hat's Schmutz and rain resistance is improved. So the total of my desired results has been achieved with the use of ScotchGuard for fabrics (the heavier duty version??) only.
Mustang Mike's Hats
A-List Customer
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- Southern California
I read the title of the thread on my email and immediately thought, "hair gel ... Hmmm ... Just spray your head with the scotch guard, and the hair gel shouldn't get from your hair to the felt. Glad I actually READ the posts!! LOL!!! 
Winston Carter
Practically Family
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I use extra hold hair spray to stiffen and form/style weak hats. Even after they get wet the creases will stay in shape.
thundurchasur
Familiar Face
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- 95
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- South Texas
Shellac is the substance traditionally used to stiffen hats. Here's a video on how to mix it and use it. The flakes are readily available online from many sources.
Shaping and stiffening: Cheap, quick, easy, and perfect. I bought a 1/2 pint ($3) of clear shellac, used 91% alcohol ($1) and a mixture of 4:1. I took 8 oz. of 91% alcohol and 2 oz. of clear shellac mixed in a spray bottle. Brush hat clean, then sprayed several coats until damp on upper and lower side of a 3 yr. old mink color fur felt Stetson Temple ($229) which would no longer hold shape. Sprayed lower side first. After approximately 30 minutes when lower side was no longer tacky, I sprayed the upper side of brim. Drying time was approximately 30-45 minutes. I shaped the brim as it dried and let it set overnight. The stiffness of the brim was absolutely perfect as was the shape with NO discoloration. I could not have been more pleased. NO problems, quick, easy, worked perfect, at a cost of ONLY $4. Cheaper than any other product sold or advised (shellac chips).
Shaping and stiffening: Cheap, quick, easy, and perfect. I bought a 1/2 pint ($3) of clear shellac, used 91% alcohol ($1) and a mixture of 4:1. I took 8 oz. of 91% alcohol and 2 oz. of clear shellac mixed in a spray bottle. Brush hat clean, then sprayed several coats until damp on upper and lower side of a 3 yr. old mink color fur felt Stetson Temple ($229) which would no longer hold shape. Sprayed lower side first. After approximately 30 minutes when lower side was no longer tacky, I sprayed the upper side of brim. Drying time was approximately 30-45 minutes. I shaped the brim as it dried and let it set overnight. The stiffness of the brim was absolutely perfect as was the shape with NO discoloration. I could not have been more pleased. NO problems, quick, easy, worked perfect, at a cost of ONLY $4. Cheaper than any other product sold or advised (shellac chips).
Dean,
I found a cheap, quick, easy, and perfect method. I bought a 1/2 pint ($3) of clear shellac, used 91% alcohol ($1) and a mixture of 4:1. I took 8 oz. of 91% alcohol and 2 oz. of clear shellac mixed in a spray bottle. Brush hat clean, then sprayed several coats until damp on upper and lower side of a 3 yr. old mink color fur felt Stetson Temple ($229) which would no longer hold shape. Sprayed lower side first. After approximately 30 minutes when lower side was no longer tacky, I sprayed the upper side of brim. Drying time was approximately 30-45 minutes. I shaped the brim as it dried and let it set overnight. The stiffness of the brim was absolutely perfect as was the shape with NO discoloration. I could not have been more pleased. NO problems, quick, easy, worked perfect, at a cost of ONLY $4. Cheaper than any other product sold or advised (shellac chips).
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Just FYI: some of the post you are responding to are very old and some are from members who haven’t been active for years.
Thanks for your reply. I know the post where very old BUT when I was looking for information on stiffening my fedora I did come across these post so I thought it would help others who were doing the same. The post being old did not stop me from finding them. Just thought I would share in a success. If it is helpful great. If not, there was no loss to anyone. I, myself, may never post again or need information from this site. I am not a social media type, simply used this site for information needed at this present time. No sweat. Have a blessed day. I hope you know the Lord Jesus. He is the reason for the season. Have a Merry Christmas.
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- 18,930
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- Central California
Merry Christmas to you too! was just making sure you weren’t disappointed that the members you were replying to don’t answer. I hope you stick around and continue to contribute…we need new blood around here and your information was indeed useful.
Thanks and God bless!!
