Dry cleaning a USAAF crusher

[Francisco V.]

Hello,
I think it could be fine for the wool but, do may harm the flexible leather bill?

Any previous experience?

Thank you
Fran

[Michael Fay]

I cant help but be worried that it may be harmful. Give this question a few days on WAF to see what replies by those who know may tell you when they check this thread.

[Shawn Southern]

Why?

Why do want to clean it.....is it simply soiled or is it stained? Personally, I would not consider dry cleaning a crusher. Of all options dry cleaning solvents are the harshest to leather, wool and the liner.

Best Regards,

Shawn

[M.Rimmer]

As Shawn says dry cleaning a crush cap is not a good idea, and could easily ruin the cap completely.

I have several crushers, two of which came to me extremely dusty and soiled. I've had good results with the following approach to cleaning.

Use a vacuum cleaner to carefully remove any dust from the cloth parts of the cap exterior, use a vac which either has variable suction so you can adjust it down, or place a piece of materiel over the end of the tube and secure with an elastic band.

I then use a good quality bristle clothes brush on the top and sides of the cap, taking care to brush with the weave of the wool and not brushing too hard.

If there are small areas of staining or mildew I use a new toothbrush (dry) on these areas to carefully loosen the dirt, then if necessary repeat the vac and clothes brush process.

I believe that by taking it slow and being careful it's possible to vastly improve the appearance of any dirty crush cap, without removing the patina of use. One of mine is a Dobbs example which belonged to a B-24 Navigator in the 8th Air Force who completed over thirty missions over Europe, and his cap was obviously well used. When I bought it it looked pretty awful, squashed almost completely flat and very dusty and mildewed, it now looks presentable after following the steps I have outlined above.

Can you post some pictures of your cap?.

Matt.

[Francisco V.]

Hello Matt, very appreciated your help.

My crusher is a Dobbs too. Dust may be not problem but I think the worst part are some red brick stuff staining here and there as you can see near the eagle's claw. I thought it may be dissolved with the solvent used in the dry cleaning.

One question, do have your crusher the back leather strap? I have seen examples with and withow it.
Mine is present but different to the fore chintrap but looks as it was there from ever

Regards
Fran

[M.Rimmer]

Hi Fran,

That's a nice looking cap!. Yes my Dobbs has the back strap with buckle as well. You will hear some folks claim the back strap signifies AAF or cavalry, when in fact any officer could purchase a cap with or without a back strap, depending on his preference. Does yours have the small metal hook at the rear center to keep the strap in place?.

If the cap was mine I'd carefully clean it as I outlined earlier, but IMO that reddish brown stain in the band will remain, and IMO it doesn't detract from the overall appearance of the cap.

Does yours have the owners card in the lining?.

Matt.

[M.Rimmer]

Fran, if you would like to PM me your email address I can send you some before and after pictures of my Dobbs cap as a comparison.

Regards,

Matt.

[Francisco V.]

Hello Matt,
Mine does not have neither the hook or the pocket for the card; that's bad?

Tried to pm you but I could not. Is as you have disabled that posibility in your profile (?)

regards
Fran

[M.Rimmer]

Hi Fran,

My apologies, I have now changed my message settings, if you'd like to try again.

I have noted several variations with Dobbs caps, and yours looks fine.

Regards,

Matt.

[BenVK]

Dry cleaning this cap would have been a very bad idea, thank goodness you asked here first.

You should try Matt's suggestions and then you could also try this:

Buy a bottle of Woolite Extra Delicates Care Detergent.
http://www.amazon.com/Woolite-Extra-.../dp/B002PBT6VG

Pour a cap full of woolite into a saucepan full of luke warm water.
Take a toothbrush (a soft one) and dip it in the water.
Gently brush the cap fabric, going with the weave, not against it.
Take a clean white cotton T-shirt and dab the fabric so that it soaks up the dirt. (The reason for using a white T-shirt is so you can see the dirt being transferred)
Try to avoid getting the fabric really wet, you don't want the dirt to soak through into the lining.

For the reddish brown stain on the band, remove as much as you can with a dry brush first and then try the methods above. Use cotton buds instead of the T-shirt to soak up the stain, you'll have more control that way.

After you've finished cleaning, let the cap dry naturally, don't use a hair dryer or place on a radiator etc.

[Francisco V.]

Thanks Ben for your input