Senior : Uniform : Boater Repair
Boaters are manufactured from straw stiffened by gelatine and then painted with a clear estapol. A well-maintained boater should last for about 3 years but if the boater is allowed to get wet due to rain or exposed to excessive heat (eg. in the back of car) the life of the boater will be greatly reduced.
Suggested steps for repairing a damaged rim:
- Soften the straw by ONE of the following methods:
Lightly dampen the rim with water using a fine spray but do not make it too wet. Place in a microwave oven for 30 to 40 seconds (no longer) on high, or
Hold the rim over the spout of a steaming kettle, or
Place a cloth over the rim and use a steam iron.
- Place the boater on a flat surface with heavy weights such as bricks or a number of books on the rim. Allow to dry for a day or so.
- Once dry, remove the weights and apply a lacquer. The best lacquer is Wattle Estapol Speed Clear.
- If the rim is not completely flat, repeat the above steps.
Suggested steps for repairing a damaged crown:
- Soften the straw as above in Step 1, preferably with the microwave method.
- Pack scrunched up paper or material tightly into the crown.
- Allow to dry for a day or so.
- When dry, apply Estapol Speed Clear to the crown and when the lacquer is dry, remove the paper.
Some other varnishes are for indoor purposes and do not withstand outdoor exposure, discolouring the straw.
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