Liner Droop

[Fredthecat]

How do you repair/prevent Liner Droop?

Wore my Akubra Bushman working in the pouring rain (that's what I bought it for). It worked GREAT as expected.

While wet I blocked it, flanged it, reset bash, set it on stretcher (not stretched) open to air from bottom to dry/prevent shrinkage.

Looks like new and it's good to go next storm.

However, the liner now droops away from the crown. It stayed glued in place around sweat band, but no longer stands against the crown.

How do you repair/prevent The Dreaded Liner Droop?

 

[The Good]

Hmm, this happens to my Federation as well. What I do is just tuck it back in, neatly. It still does occur though.

 

[monbla256]

After about 5 years of wearing almost 24/7 my first Bushman, the liner did the same thing. Since it was my only hat at the time, I just took the lining out and it's been linerless for the rest of it's 30+ year life! Just take it out, it's a Bushman

 

[scottyrocks]

Ive used a couple of spots of glue in the top of a hat to keep a saggy liner up.

 

[Mobile Vulgus]

I'm waiting for someone to say "viagra." Oh, wait, I just did it.

 

[Fredthecat]

Thanks.
My first Bushman served me well for 42 years...since 1968...lots of field work in the rain...liner is still fine, never drooped. In fact the entire hat is fine except it just doesn't fit anymore. It earned a peg on the wall. It's a bit tight and refuses to stretch back, so I bought a new one, one size larger. Fits perfect.

Hey, if this one gets me another 42 years sure I'll pull the liner .

Thanks, I'll try a spot of glue. Just thought someone here might have a trick...most hat tips are "DUH, why didn't I try that"?

 

[Bassman]

Try some double sided tape between liner and crown.
My Fed III did this too (would stick to my bald head) until someone here suggested the two sided tape!

 

[scottyrocks]

I mightve been the one suggesting the 2-sided tape. I have since discovered it doesnt work for long. Hence, now the glue. Elmers works well and allows removal if necessary.

 

[Bassman]

Maybe it's the tape (3M permanent)...but mine's been holding for well over a year now.

 

[Dewhurst]

The others have suggested a few things worth trying. You basically remove the liner and try various glues, tapes, etc. between the liner and the felt body. One person removed their liner, dry cleaned it, and starched the heck right out of it. Some people just rip the liner out. Good riddance!

In my experience, most linings that don't become consumed by massive amounts of water will keep on keepin' on just fine. And once they are wrecked I usually either just adapt to the droop or take it out. In an interesting side note, I have never had a lining droop that is actually glued to the dome of the felt body in multiple places from the factory. Cheap method, but not without it's pluses.

 

[The Good]

Thanks.
My first Bushman served me well for 42 years...since 1968...lots of field work in the rain...liner is still fine, never drooped. In fact the entire hat is fine except it just doesn't fit anymore. It earned a peg on the wall. It's a bit tight and refuses to stretch back, so I bought a new one, one size larger. Fits perfect.

Hey, if this one gets me another 42 years sure I'll pull the liner .

Thanks, I'll try a spot of glue. Just thought someone here might have a trick...most hat tips are "DUH, why didn't I try that"?

Wow, 42 years... is there a picture of your Bushman you could show us? I'd love to see it's condition as of now!

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Glue!? Tape!?

OK, guys, here's the trick:

Spray starch right into the crown - a nice coat on the saggy liner. Then, a hot blow dryer aimed into the hat. It pushes the liner into position while drying the starch. Sets up quick and then stays put.

 

[James71]

That's an excellent idea HPGene. I'm off to give that a go.

 

[scottyrocks]

Glue!? Tape!?

OK, guys, here's the trick:

Spray starch right into the crown - a nice coat on the saggy liner. Then, a hot blow dryer aimed into the hat. It pushes the liner into position while drying the starch. Sets up quick and then stays put.

Gene, how put does it stay? Will it peel away cleanly if desired? If so, then I like it better than what Ive done.

 

[OT1899]

A strip of two sided tape works wonders in the crown area. I first saw it being used in a new Dobbs fedora. You can also use it on the sides instead of using glue ....

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Gene, how put does it stay? Will it peel away cleanly if desired? If so, then I like it better than what Ive done.

I did this to a flaccid liner in an old Stetson Eagle and it's been in place for a couple years now.

It does not attach the liner to the felt in any way - - it merely gives the liner some structure/slight stiffness and conforms it up into the hat like original equipment.

 

[scottyrocks]

Sounds like a winner then! Now where's that blow dryer that I never use because I have, like, no hair . . ? =o)

 

[Aureliano]

un-glue it use a couple of dabs of "sobo" glue http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat3779&PRODID=prd9852
and glue the liner back. I've used this glue and it's great as it dries clear. The folks at Bencraft use it too. If you don't want to use glue, PERMANENT double sided tape will do the job or, you can always saw an invisible stitch there.

 

[Undertow]

Glue!? Tape!?

OK, guys, here's the trick:

Spray starch right into the crown - a nice coat on the saggy liner. Then, a hot blow dryer aimed into the hat. It pushes the liner into position while drying the starch. Sets up quick and then stays put.

I would have to agree with Gene here. It's one thing to starch a liner - and a totally different beast to actually apply glue to the felt. Whereas on one hand the worst case scenario is a fouled liner, the other scenario is a fouled hat body.