Panama Question (off season but on topic)

[Lorne]

Hello all,

I bougth a Panama Hat from Panama Bob. I love the hat, but I find that it is very soft and has not held its shape. I reblocked it last night using precision tools (the pot from my rice steamer), and its as good as new.

My question is, is there anything I can apply to the hat as a stiffener to help it hold its shape, and maybe stand up to water a bit better? I don't want to apply anything that might yellow the hat.


Lorne

 

[SHARPETOYS]

I use this and it works just fine....

http://www.mens-hats.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Product/asp/hierarchy/0F/product-id/492252.html

 

[Lorne]

Panama hat

Aw Come On!

That stuff is $9.95 a bottle, it cost as much as the hat!

I'm looking for a cheap, battle field expediant kind of thing like hair spray, spray starch, gorilla snot....


Lorne

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Cheap .99 cent hairspray will work...

 

[RBH]

While checking out old threads on panamas, I ran across this thread. I have used this on several old straw hats of mine in the past.
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/3065/satiner4.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>
It lasted longer than hairspray. All I did was spray a real light coat on the brim or crown and let dry, it seemed to work for me.
BUT I have never tried it on a panama before, It should work if you only apply a light or several light coats. I dont think I would coat the whole hat just maybe the spots that was giving trouble i.e. the brim.
Maybe someone with an old panama will give it a try.

 

[cookie]

Panama Droop

Thanks for the tips guys!

 

[Stoney]

I would think that you would want the fiber in panama to breathe. Sealing the hat would prevent that.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I would think that you would want the fiber in panama to breathe. Sealing the hat would prevent that.

Wouldn't it only be sealing it on one side though?
I must say, though, you make a good point. I have seen some vintage Panamas that are as brittle as onion skins.

 

[Davidson]

As long as you don't spray the underside of the brim and crown, it wouldn't be sealed. I bet the fiber could breathe fine. It might be slower to dry, but then it would also be slower to get wet, too