Help Cleaning Vintage Hats using Naphtha

[wgiceman]

I have recently won three vintage fedoras via ebay and after reading various threads here, I am considering cleaning them using naphtha. From what I have read, it appears that I should submerge the hat into the solution overnight and then take it out and let it air dry naturally. Is that correct?

Will I have to reblock the hat in order to get the desired shape? Or would the original shape remain?

Has anyone else done this recently who is willing to give some step-by-step instructions on how it is done?

Or should I just ship them to some out of town hatter and pay for the service?

Thanks.

 

[buler]

wgiceman, there's lots of discussion on cleaning with naptha in multiple threads. You may want to use google to search the site and try combinations of "naptha","cleaning","restore", etc.

Here is one thread:
Napthathread

B

 

[Mr E Train]

Or should I just ship them to some out of town hatter and pay for the service?

That would be my advice.

If they're not that dirty, you could probably clean them yourself by steaming and brushing. If they're heavily soiled or badly misshapen, have a pro do it.

 

[wgiceman]

wgiceman, there's lots of discussion on cleaning with naptha in multiple threads. You may want to use google to search the site and try combinations of "naptha","cleaning","restore", etc.

Here is one thread:
Napthathread

B

Thanks.
I had tried the google search, but failed to come up with the information I was seeking. The thread you provided is exactly what I was looking for.

I am still a bit apprehensive about doing the cleaning myself. Perhaps I should get a real beater hat to test the process out first. Then I can go to my better hats.

Thanks again.

 

[RBH]

Here ya go....

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=45396

 

[saucerfiend]

Cleaning a Hatl

I've won alot of beautiful vintage fedoras from ebay. Some are NOS, and some slightly used. Can someone tell me or lead me to the proper thread to clean a hat yourself. I have 1 that I'll probably send out to clean. But the basics for cleaning the sweatband, liner and felt.

Brian

 

[Lefty]

Hey Brian,

Please use the Ask a Question thread for quick requests to threads like this. Here's an easy way to search this site, using Google, to find the threads you need.

click

That should get you started.

 

[saucerfiend]

Hey Brian,

Please use the Ask a Question thread for quick requests to threads like this. Here's an easy way to search this site, using Google, to find the threads you need.

click

That should get you started.

Thanks, Lefty! I'll remember the Ask A Question thread.

Brian

 

[zetwal]

By the way, what's a HATL? Is that some sort of ancient Aztec headwear?

 

[saucerfiend]

By the way, what's a HATL? Is that some sort of ancient Aztec headwear?

Wiseguy! Kiddin'

 

[bendingoak]

Cab you post some photos? I have found sometimes you dont need naptha bath for everything.