Looking for advice on repairing the felt on an '02 Borsalino

[jeffgarf]

This photo shows slight damage on the front brim of a 2002 Borsalino. It is similar to (but I can't verify) a Rosati model. I'm not sure what this would have been called back then, it was made for Ferster Hatters, similar to how Rosati was for Bencraft. I think this is a worn spot that seems to have lost a layer of felt (if that makes sense). Can this be repaired? Can it be done by a non-professional? Looking for ideas. Thanks.

 

[jlee562]

Maybe a dumb question, but you have tried just steaming and brushing?

It's possible that this is a worn spot if you handle the brim by that area. But hard to tell exactly what this is from the pic.

If you've already tried steaming and brushing, have you tried a hat sponge? That will actually (gently) remove a bit of the top layer, kinda like buffing a paint job.

 

[jeffgarf]

Maybe a dumb question, but you have tried just steaming and brushing?

It's possible that this is a worn spot if you handle the brim by that area. But hard to tell exactly what this is from the pic.

If you've already tried steaming and brushing, have you tried a hat sponge? That will actually (gently) remove a bit of the top layer, kinda like buffing a paint job.

Thanks, yeah I have tried the steaming and brushing (and steaming and brushing some more). I am thinking it is a worn spot of some kind (there are actually 2, one on either side of center). I am just trying to determine if it's repairable.

 

[belfastboy]

Thanks, yeah I have tried the steaming and brushing (and steaming and brushing some more). I am thinking it is a worn spot of some kind (there are actually 2, one on either side of center). I am just trying to determine if it's repairable.

Is there actually missing felt? It is unusual to have two wear spots on the brim in that area. Or is it just discoloration of the felt? Two very different approaches depending on what is the problem. Cannot tell from the pic. What is your best estimation of the issue? Wear or discoloration?

 

[jeffgarf]

Really looking like wear. Considering it's originally from a Brooklyn hat store catering to Orthodox Jews, it was probably heavily worn, perhaps even every day. It is a gorgeous wide-brimmed hat. I'll post fuller pics later.