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The Stratoliner Society {VINTAGE}

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,829
Is there a specific brand of marker you can recommend? I didn't think this was "bleached" out but rather that the stuff just clung real hard to the microfibers of the tightly interlocked fibers of the fur felt. But I suppose what you are saying has real merit... I had just not considered that possibility.
This is an interesting discussion. What color felt? Pics?
B
 

LuvMyMan

I’ll Lock Up.
Messages
4,558
Location
Michigan
USUALLY with a mild use of oxiclean it will not do that.......it works differently than chlorine..but it does happen on non colorfast..............It sounds like it is time for a magic marker touch up.........there is no other way to restore that color loss. My wife is quite the wizard on spots like those, she can match the color and feather it out so that even when you know the spot is there it is hard to see.......
Apply the color to a cloth then slowly rub onto the hat gradually adding the color until you get the shade you need.....
M
Borax is what the Oxyclean is actually. Hats can be really a mystery on some stains. A few hats over the years have presented a mystery on what would get them spot free. However, some times just a clean white washcloth and some hand soap on a moist washcloth to clean the felt about the same way you clean skin can work. Being very careful and gentle to help prevent any damages. I am sure some people use a light sanding but for me, no sand paper as I would be too afraid of that, leave it up to those more familiar with how to do it.
 

LuvMyMan

I’ll Lock Up.
Messages
4,558
Location
Michigan
IF indeed it is residue from the oxi-bleach than a good stiff brushing should remove it. Perhaps adding some water to break it down......then steam...........IF it is residue. If not, then the markers...
As far as brand, it is more important they are colorfast/permanent type markers. I believe Crayola provides the best color sets in their permanent lines.....it is what my wife is currently using, she even blends multiple colors to get the right results. Test them on some rags to get that right blend...
M
A few have stated in the past that steam can clean anything out of a hat. I have not had that result myself, as it seems the steam only set the stain into the felt worse! Have had the same negative result one time on a silk sports jacket, a water mark on a white silk jacket, no matter what I did or the dry cleaners did the water mark remained. Color markers seems too risky for me! I have no hats here that are in need of that sort of help...but...if I used a marker on a hat, I am sure it would end up looking like someone played "tic tac toe" on it! LOL!
 

LuvMyMan

I’ll Lock Up.
Messages
4,558
Location
Michigan
Could the vintage hat not be cleaned or reblocked (i agree with it not being replaceable)? Vintage hats are pretty damn resilient, no?
Just my own personal opinion...Texas Hatters and then someone like Art Fawcett would be the only places I would ever trust to do anything with a nice vintage hat in the way of cleaning. We do have several people (check the hat conversion thread) that sure know what to do on fixing brims and such, replacing ribbons, etc.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Borax is what the Oxyclean is actually. Hats can be really a mystery on some stains. A few hats over the years have presented a mystery on what would get them spot free. However, some times just a clean white washcloth and some hand soap on a moist washcloth to clean the felt about the same way you clean skin can work. Being very careful and gentle to help prevent any damages. I am sure some people use a light sanding but for me, no sand paper as I would be too afraid of that, leave it up to those more familiar with how to do it.

I don’t think that Oxyclean is the same thing as Borax. I have both and they have vastly different properties. A quick Google search also seems to confirm that they have very different chemical compositions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Justin B

One Too Many
Messages
1,796
Location
Lubbock, TX
Ok, Strato-lovers....Tell me what you think a year on this one might be. I have a vague idea, but let's see what ye experts says.

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Messages
15,077
Location
Buffalo, NY
It is a Vita-felt, unreeded, believe it's a blue sweat bow as well. Haven't taken pictures of the labels and crest. I'll do that tonight.

Stetson's trademark shows a first use in trade of 1940. The first Stratoliners were unlined, a little later with an embroidered tip patch. The proof of the pudding will be in the marks, manufacturing tag and LOTXXXX stamp, if present.
 

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