cleaning with naptha

[Bruce Wayne]

i have been giving some thought to cleaning a hat of mine with naptha. would putting it in a spritzer bottle & giving the hat a heavy mist work?
thanx!!!
Charlie

 

[RBH]

I would say it will work better if you soak the hat in it for a few hours.
All of this done outside, away from any flame.

 

[Viper Man]

Any ideas if it is safe to use on straw hats or is there another method?

 

[jpbales]

i second that question

:arated:

Any ideas if it is safe to use on straw hats or is there another method?

 

[duggap]

That probably would not be a good idea to put it on most straw hats. If it does not ruin the straw all together, it will definitely take all the blocking out of it.

 

[jpbales]

good to know

VERY good to know

That probably would not be a good idea to put it on most straw hats. If it does not ruin the straw all together, it will definitely take all the blocking out of it.

 

[Golden Earache]

I would not put it in a spray bottle; it is not a good idea to aerosolize the stuff, it is quite toxic to breathe!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I posted a public service warning a while ago.

[public service mode: on]

Having just bought a 5 litre can of Panel Wipe [for the purposes of this thread: Panel Wipe is naphtha, sold in automotive shops for cleaning panels] from my local panels and paints shop, a warning to all FLoungers using naphtha:

Naphtha (naptha [sic]) is indeed as described above; a highly volatile mixture of hydrocarbons. It is such a great organic solvent as it contains many aromatic hydrocarbons (nothing to do with how they smell, but their molecular structure). The msds for my can also notes a certain, unspecified, amount of benzene . This is not unexpected as it would distill in the same fraction as all the other aromatics. Be aware that this is one of the most carcinogenic substances known, though also one of the greatest of all organic solvents - hence great for removing human-induced muck from hats, or car panels. We cannot buy benzene for the lab because it's so dangerous. This does not pose a problem for me using naphtha - or panel wipe - to clean my hats, as i know how to protect myself. But be very careful with the stuff. And please don't just tip it down your sink when done with it; it's rotten for the environment. Keep very safely out of the reach of children. Do not use anywhere even close to an open flame. Do not use indoors, even in a well-ventilated area.


IF YOU WANT CANCER, USE NAPHTHA WITHOUT ADEQUATE PROTECTION. DO NOT BLAME ANYONE ELSE WHEN YOU GET CANCER.

[public service mode: off]



p.s. Soaking in naphtha seems to work best. Cleaned up a very dirty old Penney's Marathon very nicely.

bk

 

[Belegnole]

Alright question time...

Do you have to remove the liner and or sweat band when you soak your hat in naphtha? I know I have read cleaning threads before but can't remember. Any other suggestions like soak time scrubbin, brushing swishing drying methods would be appreciated. I have dealt with volatile and poisonous substances for years so that isn't an issue, but i haven't cleaned a hat...lol

 

[DoctorJ]

Similar Cleaning Questions

I have yet to try any of this myself... but i'm just thinking...

I can imagine that if the Naptha could be brushed on just enough to only soak into the felt, you could get away with not removing the liner; I'd probably at least invert the liner to be on the safe side.

I think that at this point it might need to be gently scrubbed... say, with a tooth brush or the like, and then probably it would need to be blotted with something to remove the dirty solvent. Otherwise, all the gunk will just be re-deposited after it evaporates.

 

[Belegnole]

I obviously haven't done any so seek advice. But I know that on other materials scrubbing is bad and blotting is good. Considering the loose nature of felt I would think that light brushing in the proper direction might be ok but scrubbing would lead to a scuffed appearance. As to the other materials and reactions to naphtha I seek counsel.

 

[DoctorJ]

Yeah, Scrubbing probably wasn't the best choice of words. I was picturing doing that on a heavy stain, but still, You're right... It seems a rather aggressive thing to do to the felt's surface.

Maybe "scrubbing" with a Q-tip?

 

[Al_Ojeda]

Be careful with naptha = napalm

 

[DoctorJ]

Napalm

Funny you should post that picture. A week or two ago I actually tried setting one of my hats on fire in order to burn off the fuzzies. Rubbing alcohol, not Naptha, but still... People should keep that in mind before taking any of my advice!

 

[CRH]

Funny you should post that picture. A week or two ago I actually tried setting one of my hats on fire in order to burn off the fuzzies. ...

I'll be sure and give my hat a good brushing to remove the fuzzies if we ever meet for lunch...

 

[RBH]

I have soaked a few fedoras and a couple of westerns ,
and I have never removed the liner. So far I have not had any problems leaving them in.

 

[DoctorJ]

So I take it there is no odor after it dries?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I would rinse afterwards to remove the naphtha. I use cold water I have not had any problems with shrinkage.


Naphtha is modified to form one of the ingredients of napalm, yes. Though apparetly napalm is mostly benzene now. Hmmmm, wonder about the history of mysterious cancers in North Vietnam, eh?

bk

 

[bendingoak]

So I take it there is no odor after it dries?

you will need to let it air out for a couple of days.

 

[WineGuy]

Re: Naphtha...

I've been reading through all the threads regarding cleaning hats and liners with naphtha but I have not seen any one answer the question of "is there a difference between naphtha and NW&P naphtha?" My local Lowes and Home Depot only carry VM&P, it is the same stuff?