Springtime is just around the corner, meaning more sunny days ahead but also some spring showers. While you should never purposefully wear a straw hat in the rain, you can add extra protection to help prevent any water damage to your hat. Like clothes and shoes, Panama hats and similar straw hats can undergo water repellent treatments that will allow them to resist water damage should you get caught in a storm.
Before you begin you’ll need the follow things:
- Paul Lashton Spray compatible with straw fibers
- Microfiber cloth
- Horsehair brush
Prepare the hat
It is important for the hat to be as clean as possible before you begin. Water repellent adds an invisible film over the surface in which dirt or stains can get permanently trapped.
Position the hat
Pick an area that is well ventilated and find a way to prop the hat up so you can apply the water repellent without touching the hat. Be aware of your surroundings; excess water repellent can leak or drip onto nearby surfaces.
Prepare the water repellent
Not all water repellents are the same. Before buying your water repellent, you need to consider two things: coloring and adhesiveness. The repellent mixture must be clear and dry clear so that it does not discolor the straw. Likewise, you should choose a repellent specifically designed for organic fibers. They will last longer and cure better than other repellents. Let’s not forget the sprayer bottle. If you can get your hands on an atomizer sprayer bottle, those will provide the best application.
Apply the treatment
Stand 6-10 inches away from the hat and either hold it securely from within the crown or let it rest on a rack.
Quickly spray the repellent across the top of the hat in very light coats. The goal is to apply several very light coats rather than heavy, fewer coats. Allow the hat to dry for 5 minutes per coat.
Once the top (exterior) of the hat has been treated, allow the hat to sit for 1 hour before applying the water repellent to the interior. This step is optional but will provide greater water resistance.
Allow the hat to dry for a whole 24 hours to fully cure. Make sure the hat sits in it’s desired shape.
That’s it! Now your hat is protected in light rain showers. Now if you hat is already soaked, you might want to check out this article, what do to if your hat gets wet.
Also if you need all the gear we used for this article, we make a nifty water repellent KIT with all the essentials to treat several hats.
I would like to know the best way to shape the brim of my straw hat
GREAT INFO.
THANKS FOR THAT.
NOW I DO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE.
My interest is more in whether water proofing the interior would help prevent discolouration of the hat from sweating in the hot weather.
We haven’t tested this specifically but we would think not. The reasoning behind it is the repellent makes the hat water repellent but not resistant or waterproof. Since the sweat sits on your head until you take off your hat this is akin to letting you hat soak. While light rain will immediately bead off the hat. It could help but we would not say it’s a solution. Rather we do offer custom linning services if you are interested.
https://ultrafino.com/products/hat-care-services