Stretching

[SteaminPete]

Good Day Everyone,
When stretching a hat,what is recommended to to apply
on the leather sweatband band to help it expand and
conform to the the new size.
SteaminPete

 

[Rick Blaine]

Good Day Everyone,
When stretching a hat,what is recommended to to apply
on the leather sweatband band to help it expand and
conform to the the new size.
SteaminPete

I USE

AND

 

[Spellflower]

What kind of stores stock Lexol?

 

[Viper Man]

I found a spray bottle at my local auto parts store. It does wonders for the sweat band.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

I've seen it in the supermarkets around here.

 

[toobacat]

I USE

AND

Do you use the Shoe Stretch first, let it dry, then apply Lexol?

 

[tinmanzzz]

Mink Oil

I have had good results with Mink Oil

 

[Rick Blaine]

Do you use the Shoe Stretch first, let it dry, then apply Lexol?

Depending on the condition of the band, if it is in good shape I might just use the shoe stretch until it is the right size & then lexol it after a few days. If it looks slightly more fragile maybe lexol the sweat, let it dry, use the shoe stretch & stretch the hat for several days or a week and then lexol it again a few days after it comes off the hat stretcher.
Do not neglect, by the way, to hit your felt with liberal amounts of steam (moving it constantly) while stretching to "loosen" the felt up & allow it to expand.

 

[SteaminPete]

Excellent,thank you.
Pete

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Thanks indeed

Great info Rick, and good topic Steamin' Pete. Been meaning to ask about this myself. SO, are you just applying the products to the smooth, shiny side of the sweat band (not spraying, right, but wiping on carefully?) or are you turning the band over to get the compounds into the rough, absorbant side of the leather. If the latter, do you use something to keep staining from occuring inside the felt?...
Gene

 

[toobacat]

Where do you buy the Shoe Stretch? I went looking for it today with no luck.

 

[RBH]

I use the Lexol, I got mine off of E-Bay for a great price.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Great info Rick, and good topic Steamin' Pete. Been meaning to ask about this myself. SO, are you just applying the products to the smooth, shiny side of the sweat band (not spraying, right, but wiping on carefully?) or are you turning the band over to get the compounds into the rough, absorbant side of the leather. If the latter, do you use something to keep staining from occuring inside the felt?...
Gene

I apply it to both sides & try to mask off the felt w/ a paper towel during aplication. Both seem to absorb PDQ so I haven't noticed a staining issue.