Advice on Removing a Stubborn & Unsightly Dent,Please.

[HosManHatter]

Picked up this vintage Champ CheckMate in great shape cheap at a thrift store and love how it fits and looks on me.The only real defect in the fedora is this noticable(esp. to me!) indentation on lower right-hand side of its crown.Prolonged storage with something or other pressing/leaning against the hat`s side would be my guess as to the cause.

I`ve never steamed/shaped any hat before but this would be a good candidate to learn on.What can I use(other than a hatter`s block) to ensure that the Champ will dry and contract into the original shape it once had? Sending it out for cleaning/blocking would cost as much(or more) than buying myself another high grade vintage fedora.I have to at least try to eliminate the hat`s blemish(call me a sap for vintage!).The CheckMate`s oval bashed crown,lack of front pinches and 2" snap brim make for an interesting look.My students refer to this fedora as either the: "pimp hat" or the "Freddy Kruger hat".

Here`s some pics showing the evil dent:

http://s650.photobucket.com/albums/uu229/HosMan61/?action=view&current=champD4.jpg

http://s650.photobucket.com/albums/uu229/HosMan61/?action=view&current=champC3.jpg

http://s650.photobucket.com/albums/uu229/HosMan61/?action=view&current=champB2.jpg

http://s650.photobucket.com/albums/uu229/HosMan61/?action=view&current=champA1.jpg

...and on the head:
http://s650.photobucket.com/albums/uu229/HosMan61/?action=view&current=Picture006.jpg&newest=1

Thanks for "listening" to my hat problem!
HMH

 

[FurFeltFedora]

As long as the hat is fur not wool felt, steam will fix it. While a block would be nice, a good blast of steam, then use your fingers to press the dent out and hold until the felt cools should be all you need. If the hat is wool, it's a different story - steam will shrink it.

 

[HosManHatter]

Thanks for the reply FFF.

Should I let it dry unsupported or would it be better to rest it on one of my styrofoam wig heads?

Guess I`ll be borrowing mom`s old tea kettle then.
Wish me luck!

HMH

 

[FurFeltFedora]

It only takes a couple of minutes at most after steaming for the felt to "set". I've had a hat show up with a big dent from shipping. Steam it for maybe 10-15 seconds in the area and work the dent. Hold for maybe a minute until the felt cools. Repeat as necessary.