Waterproofing a leather hat

[jojo]

I have had a Rogue leather hat for some years now and it's beginning to look like its lived a bit. I don't mind that but I would like to waterproof it. Well, weather proof it because it's a bit like a sponge when it rains . I use it mainly to keep the sun out of my eyes and the rain off my head and glasses. Wet glasses are a pain.

I would appreciate any advice on the best way/compromise/product, preferably natural, to achieve this. Thanks muchly!

 

[Wayland]

I soaked my Roo skin hat in olive oil. It works for me.

 

[fishfish]

ide just rub in some dubbin.

 

[MikeS]

You can get tins of Rogue wax to feed the leather (about £3). I got mine from

http://www.unbeatentracks.com/

don't know about postage. The other thing that was suggetsed to me by someone on their stand at the Wilderness Gathering was vasaline.

 

[bloodline]

I use leather wipes the type you use on leather sofas etc. These work fine on my Barmah.

 

[leon-1]

Mink oil or mink paste works for me or Gold Quality laederfedt will do the job.

 

[Moff8]

I soaked my Roo skin hat in olive oil. It works for me.

Did it change the colour much?

 

[stevec]

nikwax might be an alternative?

 

[Cap'n Badger]

I use nikwax on me tricorn.....use a hairdryer t' get it soaked in well.....then polish off the brim wi' a rag.

 

[Wayland]

Did it change the colour much?

It darkened it down a bit but that was useful as the brow was starting to get a bit dark anyway.

I've had mine for a couple of decades now and it's a real old friend.

 

[jojo]

I soaked my Roo skin hat in olive oil. It works for me.

And if you find yourself in a survival situation, you have pre-oiled snacks on your head, just have to fry n' eat! Everything should have more than one use

 

[shep]

I use olive oil on my leather too. To add a bit of stiffness you can try a 60/40 mix of olive oil and beeswax. It darkens the leather but nourishes it nicely. There are some guys on-line trying to sell leather cream which is just an olive-oil beeswax mix (around 80/20 I guess) which solidifies to a paste like dubbin, but is obviously food friendly.

Especially useful if you're prone to offering to 'eat-your-hat' in disbelief.

 

[jojo]

I use olive oil on my leather too. To add a bit of stiffness you can try a 60/40 mix of olive oil and beeswax. It darkens the leather but nourishes it nicely. There are some guys on-line trying to sell leather cream which is just an olive-oil beeswax mix (around 80/20 I guess) which solidifies to a paste like dubbin, but is obviously food friendly.

Especially useful if you're prone to offering to 'eat-your-hat' in disbelief.

I don't mind darkening the hat a bit, I like the idea of stiffening the brim a bit as it is floppy, particularly when windy. I assume you need to heat the oil/wax mix to get a good mix? and doesn't the olive oil smell a bit after a while ?

 

[Matt Weir]

The other thing that was suggetsed to me by someone on their stand at the Wilderness Gathering was vasaline.

Wouldn't that be quite combustible Mike?

 

[shep]

I don't mind darkening the hat a bit, I like the idea of stiffening the brim a bit as it is floppy, particularly when windy. I assume you need to heat the oil/wax mix to get a good mix? and doesn't the olive oil smell a bit after a while ?

Yes put them together in a pan (not one of the wife's best ) and warm gently to melt (the oil helps the wax not to burn before it melts). I paint it on with a brush then warm the whole thing in the oven to help it soak in. Finish with a brushing of boot polish. I haven't noticed any funny smells, but I do use the cheapest available olive oil, not your pungent extra virgin stuff!

I can't take credit for the process, it's something Eric Methven posted to do with straight beeswax a while back.

 

[commandocal]

nikwax! ray uses it

 

[jojo]

nikwax! ray uses it

Ah ha... Ray uses it. Well that's it then, can do nuffink else

Thanks everyone, I'll go for the olive oil/ wax treatment. :You_Rock_

 

[Eric_Methven]

I think the olive oil/beeswax treatment is the best option. Alternatively you could opt for Barbour wax. It's already formulated and comes in a tin for reproofing Barbour jackets. You just heat the tin in a pan of water, brush it on then use a hair dryer to melt it into the leather.

Eric