Why do cowboy hats feel plastic? (Explained)

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Cowboy hats have a wide brim that provides protection from the sun and the elements. These hats have been worn for hundreds of years. 

A cowboy hat can be a great investment, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. However, you may have noticed that some high-quality cowboy hats feel a little like plastic. 

Are Cowboy Hats Made of Plastic?

The majority of cowboy hats are made out of either felt or straw. You can also find hats made out of different materials, like leather. 

Are Cowboy Hats Made of Plastic?

Genuine leather is a natural material, but faux leather is made using a plastic base. The base is then treated with polyurethane or some sort of wax or dye to give it a leather-like texture. 

Most cowboy hats aren’t made out of plastic, but that’s not the case for synthetic leather hats. Some straw or felt hats may also have a plastic base. 

Why Do Cowboy Hats Feel Plastic?

Even when a hat is made out of straw or felt, you might find that it feels like plastic. This is because many hats are coated with a type of resin called shellac. 

Why Do Cowboy Hats Feel Plastic?

Shellac is used to stiffen hats and help them hold their shape. In addition to making hats rigid, shellac can help to prevent water damage. 

Shellac is naturally secreted by lac bugs, which are found in India or Thailand. It’s a natural polymer that is very similar to plastic.

Even if a cowboy hat is made from a natural material, it can feel a lot like plastic because of the shellac coating. Hats will feel more plastic-like if they have a heavy shellac coating. 

Why Do Cowboy Hats Have Shellac Coatings?

The materials used to make cowboy hats are very soft. In fact, most straws are made from delicate plant materials that are very similar to paper. 

Why Do Cowboy Hats Have Shellac Coatings?

If the hats didn’t have a shellac coating, they wouldn’t be able to hold their shape. Floppy cowboy hats have a lighter shellac coating and don’t feel as much like plastic as hats with a heavier coating. 

Can You Add a Shellac Coating to Cowboy Hats?

Can You Add a Shellac Coating to Cowboy Hats?

Shellac can be added to almost any type of cowboy hat, including hats made out of felt. Using a shellac spray is a great way to stiffen hats and protect them from the elements. 

If you apply a shellac spray to a cowboy hat, it’s always best to use a light touch. Apply a thin coat of shellac, let the coat dry, and add a second coat if you’d like the hat to be more rigid. 

Some cowboy hats are made from plastic, but most hats feel like plastic because they have a shellac coating. Shellac is a naturally material that can keep hats in great shape for years!