Shorty's Caboy Hattery - Custom Western Cowboy Hats

Phone 800.853.4287 Mon-Sat 8:30am - 5:30pm CST

Renovation and Restoration


Before	After

This is an actual renovation done by Shorty's Custom Hattery.

...but don't take our word for it! Go to "Feedback" to see what a few of our customers have had to say upon receiving their "new old hats".

Before the renovation/restoration begins, the process is explained to the hat owner. Some people want their hat to look exactly as it did when it was brand new. However, since the renovation process completely opens the crown and flattens the brim, it is like starting with a new hat body. Because this is the case, some people decide to "update" their hat with a more current crease and/or shape. The only limitation in this area is the physical characteristics of the hat. For example, if a customer brought in a hat with a four inch crown the hat could not be made into a "Buckaroo" (which takes a six inch crown).

For sentimental reasons, some people want the original lining and hatband put back in their renovated hats. If the customer does not specify this, Shorty's Custom Hattery automatically replaces them with a new liner and hat band.

First the hat's crown is opened and the crown and brim are measured and documented on the renovation form. Once this is done, the lining and hatband are removed to prepare the hat for a chemical bath which cleanses the hat and restores its original stiffness. The first step of the actual renovation process is to submerge the hat in a chemical bath (above left) just until it is saturated. The renovator then takes a soft brush to remove any excess spots (above right). Finally, the hat is put in a spin dryer (above center bottom), made especially for the hat renovation process.


After the chemical bath, the hat is hung to dry for 24 hours. Once dry, the crown is steamed (above left). A wood block is then inserted in the crown (above right) in the same manner as a new hat.


The next step in the renovation process is to take a wood wedge (above left) and set the ninety degree angle where the crown meets the brim. This is one of the "trademarks" of a high quality custom hat. The next step in the renovation is to smooth the crown (above right) and sand any spots that didn't come out in the chemical bath.


The brim is sanded to remove any remaining spots on the brim (above left) and then ironed (above right) in order to reset the stiffness in the brim.

Finally, the hatband and lining are sewn back into the hat (above). The hat is now ready for the shaping process described in the
"Custom Process" page.

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