PeterHenry Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 So, long story short, I have a nice Campbells tweed cap, that I made the mistake of wearing during a days shooting last season after re-waxing my Barbour. The result is that it has wax smudged all over the peake. I took it to be dry cleaned, but they pointed to the label that said no dry cleaning, and refused. I'm hesitant to wash it, as its not use to me shrunk... My only other thought is isopropyl to get the wax off? But would that also remove some of the dye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 (edited) I've tried the iso' a few time and got away with it but not specifically for the wax. Is the underside of the peak the same material as the top? If so try a test on a small spot near the back. Edited March 17, 2023 by wymberley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 My Mrs puts my "garden/work" (I'm retired) tweed cap in the bowl with warm/hot water with washing powder and she says it freshens it up. It might work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 1 hour ago, harrycatcat1 said: My Mrs puts my "garden/work" (I'm retired) tweed cap in the bowl with warm/hot water with washing powder and she says it freshens it up. It might work. There would be a divorce if my Mrs. dared to wash my favourite cap! A countryman’s cap should have ‘patina’. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardigun Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 I have washed my tweed cap, after it blew off into the slurry pit. Bit of a last resort, but I pulled it into shape and put it on wet. It shrink formed quite well, but gave me a cold ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokingdragon Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 You could try putting brown paper packing material on it, then ironing it - the wax will melt and get absorbed into the paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 Try Isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) - Soaked a cotton bud and try a small area that is out of sight. Amazing results with no damage. Warning!! - Highly inflamable!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 1 hour ago, London Best said: There would be a divorce if my Mrs. dared to wash my favourite cap! A countryman’s cap should have ‘patina’. 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍 it doesn't come that clear but she thinks it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 Lighter fuel and tissue paper. Removes most things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 3 hours ago, PeterHenry said: My only other thought is isopropyl to get the wax off? But would that also remove some of the dye? I doubt isopropyl would remove the dye (but go carefully in case). What it might do is damage whatever they use to stiffen the peak. I assume it is some sort of celluloid material as it would have to be water resistant. I have washed caps - and some have been fine, but one wasn't and came out more like a beanie than a cap! Long time - 30 years plus - since I have been in Campbells (I'm assuming you mean Campbells of Beauly?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 If it will take the heat of a tumble dryer, pop the cap into a pillowcase (tie it closed) and tumble dry. The wax will transfer onto the pillowcase. I do this (briefly) after rewaxing my Barbour and it evens the wax out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 hair dryer will melt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 5 hours ago, smokingdragon said: You could try putting brown paper packing material on it, then ironing it - the wax will melt and get absorbed into the paper. This. My tweed caps get wet and I just stretch them back into shape; the more used and abused they get the more I like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 54 minutes ago, billytheghillie said: hair dryer will melt it. theres a thought...what about the hairdryer then quickly scrubb some fullers earth into it and then more dryer then brush out ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratlegs Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 Heard of folks whose brains were dynamite, and not enough to blow ear wax out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 32 minutes ago, Scully said: the more used and abused they get the more I like them. Exactly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 4 hours ago, humperdingle said: If it will take the heat of a tumble dryer, pop the cap into a pillowcase (tie it closed) and tumble dry. The wax will transfer onto the pillowcase. I do this (briefly) after rewaxing my Barbour and it evens the wax out. You missed the most important word “old” pillowcase! I can just see the managements reaction if I did that with one of her best Egyptian cotton cases 😂😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 1 hour ago, Dave at kelton said: You missed the most important word “old” pillowcase! I can just see the managements reaction if I did that with one of her best Egyptian cotton cases 😂😂 Of course 😂 I have an ‘old’ pillowcase just for this very purpose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted March 17, 2023 Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 Try this stuff, BUT, try WD40 first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHenry Posted March 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2023 Thanks for all the replys - I do appreciate a good patina as much as the next, but this was a tad too much in one go. Personally I'd rarther let it build up over time - and there's a fine line between well loved and neglected. Anyway - cotton wool buds, a judicious amount of isopropyl, and some perseverance has dealt with it well enough (for the record) Thanks again, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joejoe Posted March 18, 2023 Report Share Posted March 18, 2023 I’d just put it in the washing machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Townie Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 Glad to hear it's sorted out. Just FYI, I've washed my cap on a gentle wash, no spin and it was fine. Smelt much more fragrant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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