WW2 WAC Hobby Hat Starching

[tankdriver]

Does any know where I can send a WW2 WAC Hobby Hat to be starched correctly?

 

Thanks

[tankdriver]

Nobody here as ever had to clean and starch a Hobby hat?

[Navybean]

When I was in the Navy Seabees and wearing a green cover od7, we would take a coffee can stretch the hat over the can or when available we used a aluminum hat stretcher. Wet the cap and clean it then while wet put hat on the stretcher and then spread on some starch with a paint brush and then cook the hat on the stretcher in the oven at around 150 degrees until dry.

I think you can find a hat stretcher on eBay. This typically lasted me for year or so or until it got wet.

I would assume a hobby hat was basically done the same.

Just a thought.

[tankdriver]

When I was in the Navy Seabees and wearing a green cover od7, we would take a coffee can stretch the hat over the can or when available we used a aluminum hat stretcher. Wet the cap and clean it then while wet put hat on the stretcher and then spread on some starch with a paint brush and then cook the hat on the stretcher in the oven at around 150 degrees until dry.

I think you can find a hat stretcher on eBay. This typically lasted me for year or so or until it got wet.

I would assume a hobby hat was basically done the same.

Just a thought.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

I have the cap WAAC Eagle, and side buttons that I'm going to put on it after I get it cleaned and starched.

 

Thanks.

 

Here's some photos of the hat.....

 

[tankdriver]

Here's a few more photos....

 

It is in really good shape for a hat made in 1942

 

[Airborne-Hunter]

I don't think it needs starching. I'd just put something fairly rigid in there to help hold the shape. After a year or two of that it should be fine. Best ABN