Renovation

Renovation

Whether your own hat needs to be renovated or you need to restore a family member’s hat for future generations, you can trust Shorty’s renovation specialists to ensure your hat is cared for properly and is returned to you restored to nearly new condition.

The Process

  • The hat’s crown is opened and the crown and brim are measured and documented on the renovation form.
  • The lining and hatband are removed to prepare the hat for a chemical bath which cleanses the hat and restores its original stiffness.
  • The hat is submerged in a chemical bath just until it is saturated.
  • The renovation specialist takes a soft brush to remove any excess spots.
  • The hat is put in a spin dryer 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.
  • A wood block is then inserted in the crown to give it shape.
  • A wood wedge is then set a ninety degree angle where the crown meets the brim. This is one of the “trademarks” of a high quality custom hat.
  • The crown is smoothed and any spots that did not come out in the chemical bath are sanded. The brim is sanded to remove any remaining spots on the brim and then ironed in order to reset the stiffness in the brim.
  • Finally, the hatband and lining are sewn back into the hat.

Renovation Prices

Not every hattery can perform a full western hat renovation. At Shorty’s Hattery the first thing we do is open the hat’s crown and then the crown and brim are measured and documented on the renovation form. The hat is completely disassembled and the hat band, sweatband, lining and edge binding on the brim, if there is any,  are removed in preparation for the hat to be placed in a chemical bath which cleanses the hat and restores its original stiffness. The renovation specialist will then take a soft brush to remove any excess spots. After the spots are removed and the hat is cleaned, the hat is put in a specially designed spin dryer and it will be hung to dry. A wood block will be inserted in the crown to give it shape. A wood wedge is then set at a ninety-degree angle where the crown meets the brim. This is one of the “trademarks” of a high-quality custom hat. The crown is smoothed and any spots that did not come out in the chemical bath are sanded. The brim is also sanded to remove any remaining spots on the brim and then ironed in order to reset the stiffness in the brim. Finally, the hat is then reassembled and the hatband and lining are sewn back into the hat. This is an intricate process where the hat undergoes a deep cleaning, re-blocking, shaping, and if necessary a new leather sweatband and new liner are added.

*Approx. 3 weeks lead time

At Shorty’s Hattery we offer professional re-blocking of your western hat. When we re-block a hat it is placed on a proper hat block, stiffened, and then steamed to the proper shape. Your hat will be lightly cleaned. If your hat requires a deep cleaning there could be additional charges.

A new sweatband and liner can make a hat feel “new” again. Don’t wear a hat with a grungy, dirty and torn liner or sweatband that looks and feels nasty! Replace the liner and sweatband for a clean and fresh hat. 

A Pencil Roll is where we take the outer edge brim of the hat and we curl or roll it upwards. The amount of the curl or roll that we apply to the hat depends on the customer’s request.

A new sweatband can make a hat feel “new” again. The sweatband is just that – the first point of contact between your head and the hat. So the sweatband catches ll the abuse from hot days when your head may sweat. Don’t worry! You don’t have to wear a hat with a grungy or dirty sweatband that looks and feels nasty! Replace the sweatband and make the inside of your hat feel clean and fresh.

Add Binding to the edge of the brim of your hat for that finishing touch. Binding is made from grosgrain ribbon and comes in a variety of colors. Contact a Shorty’s Hat Specialist at the store to discuss what color might be the best choice for your hat. Samples / swatches of the binding colors can be sent to you to aid in your decision-making process. Some of the hats shown below have buckstitching which is an additional style option that can be ordered at an additional cost.

We can replace a worn or dirty 2 Cord Ribbon Hatband. Pick a contrasting ribbon color to make your hat ready “to go to town”.

A simple shaping of the brim or crown. In some cases, depending on the style of existing hat, the hat may need to be re-blocked. We can also do a spot cleaning, but again, it is dependent on the condition the hat is in will depend on whether we can do a simple spot clean and reshape or have to send for a full renovation.

If you are looking for a little something special and different have a Ribbon/Bow hatband added to your renovated hat. These photos are shown with binding which is not included in the Ribbon /Bow hatband. For an additional charge of $35 we can add binding to your hat.

Brim to large? No problem. At Shorty’s Hattery we can cut down the brim of the hat evenly all the way around. We use a special precision hat making tool and a special technique. The edge of the brim is rounded and finished for a completed look.

Don’t let your hat feel sad with an old sweaty and torn hat liner. Shorty’s will replace your hat liner with a new satin hat liner. Once the liner is placed and tacked inside your hat it will look like new again! 

Want to make your hat a little cooler? Add Eyelets – 3 per side –  to allow air flow to the inside of your hat.

If you are unable to visit us in Oklahoma City to bring us your hat, you may ship it to us at:

Shorty’s Caboy Hat Renovations
1007 S. Agnew Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73108

Please include your name, phone number, email and shipping address. We will contact you when your hat is complete for payment.  A return shipping fee of $40 inside the U.S. will be applied.