Irish Pat Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I wore my best white hat at a match last weekend and all my 73 empty cartridge cases seemed to land on it. What is a good way to clean the fired gunpowder residue off it? Irish Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodyMaverick Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I sprinkle fine cornmeal on it and gently brush the spots in a circular motion with a toothbrush. Then I brush the entire hat with a hat brush. The guy at the Hat Barn where I buy my hats gave me this tip and it works really well. Talcum powder is supposed to work also but I haven't tried it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Paint it to match the 'skid' marks from the brass....... OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Cornstarch and a soft clean sponge will help, but I don't think anything does it as well as a professional cleaning. My black powder cases leave a real mess. I just have shooting hats and dress hats and don't worry anymore about the tracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 1 hour ago, CodyMaverick said: I sprinkle fine cornmeal on it and gently brush the spots in a circular motion with a toothbrush. Then I brush the entire hat with a hat brush. The guy at the Hat Barn where I buy my hats gave me this tip and it works really well. Talcum powder is supposed to work also but I haven't tried it. +10 You can also use a piece of stale white bread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I too have used cornstarch and a toothbrush for BP marks. Took a while and didn't seem like much was happening, but then...voila! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKFOOT SASS #11947 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I purchased a hat sponge at a hat shop that really works well for getting the skid marks off of a hat. AND, I annealed my brass (.45 LC), don't get much soot on my hat or rifle now. Blackfoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Paint leaves the hat kinda stiffer'n most folk like their hats. Dye works wonders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slow Mo Dern Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 The Fort Western Wear used to sell hat sponges for about a buck apiece. They were really reasonable. I think the skid marks give the hat character! Makes you look like a real shooter! Mo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Cornstarch. Not cornmeal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace_of_Hearts Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 If you have a BOOT BARN in the area, they sell a limited supply of hat cleaning supplies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodyMaverick Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 1 hour ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: Cornstarch. Not cornmeal! LOL! Since you said this, it's entirely possible that the guy at the store said cornstarch and I heard cornmeal. Since I had some cornmeal at home I used and it does work very well. Although I did have some reservations about the abrasiveness of the cornmeal for this purpose. I don't have any cornstarch to compare it to. Since the last time I cleaned it I have bought a brown hat just like it and use it for shooting. Now I suppose I'll just be using the white one for playing dress-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Oh, I can't resist. What self respecting cowboy would care about a few 'skidmarks' on his hat? Try shooting Black Powder sometime and try cleaning those marks off a white hat. Of course, I am a bad guy and always wear a black hat. P.S. I always liked the scene in Monte Walsh (the Tom Selleck version) where Monte dunks his hat in a rain barrel after Chet's wedding. I guess he thought it looked too new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Hombre Sin Nombre Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 My newest hat is silver belly and I actually enjoy the marks those BP rounds leave. When I bought the hat, they offered stains as an additional option. I said no thanks. I'll make my own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Corn starch or baking powder and a good hat sponge are the best ingredients. Mix that with an abundance of patience and a little proper technique and you'll get good results. On the top side of the brim and the crown, be sure to brush only clockwise. Most hatters sand their rough hat bodies in this direction and brushing the same keeps the felt smooth and offers he best results. Brush your powder into the hat and allow it to sit for a while. This allows the cornstarch or whatever to absorb any residual oils or lubes from the stain. Then brush the felt until all of the powder is removed and the felt is free of dust and debris. Repeat as needed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 After you apply the Baking Powder, what temp and how long do you leave it in the oven? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 4 hours ago, Snakebite said: After you apply the Baking Powder, what temp and how long do you leave it in the oven? Don't put it in the oven!! It'll make the brim rise!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Mark Flint #31954 LIFE Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 I've had good luck with Magic Erasers, they seem to pick up lots of dirt out of the hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Whatever you do, don't give up, if you want a pristine hat. We have a friend who left a silver belly (?) hat in his trailer. The trailer leaked on the hat and the hat molded. He took it to a "master hatter" who made it look like new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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