CLEANING VINTAGE SHIRTS

[TrickyGuns]

I wasn't sure where to put this, maybe we can start a new section about it. I was wondering if everyone could share their cleaning secrets on hard to get out stains and keeping those vintage shirts looking wonderful!

More specifically, i just bought this prized position off eBay and wanted some advice. I don't think its bleach because it would be red, but it looks like a serious stain. Included is a picture, what do you guys think it might be? The area of lightening. Common vintage stain? Anything i can do to take it out? Weigh in your opinions!

[CRAZYBUBBA]

Bleach need not be red. I think it's bleach, I see examples like this daily.

Here's how to tell: Reverse the garment, look to see if the stain has seeped onto the reverse side. If so, that's a good indicator that it's bleach.

[Frank]

This is good advice.

You can sometimes use a Sharpie to very lightly fill bleach spots on black shirts or a little bit of Rit dye to spot color but it's tricky, guns.

Why bother, though? I think it adds character, shows it's real vintage, looks different, etc etc.

[TrickyGuns]

I guess it doesn't bother me awhole lot, i just purchased it for over $50 and obviously am ok with the stain. It's a very rare shirt especially for the size (an 80s medium). I like stuff that looks all beat up to hell, but i was considering trying to clean it up just to insure it stays wearable for years to come (it will endure more stains i'm sure, i plan to rock this thing everyday!) I've heard of using a sharpie or Rit Dye, but a fresh black hue on a faded black shirt will look horrific and i don't think i want to risk it. Probably my only options for bleach though, i was just wondering if the vintage veterans here had any ancient Chinese secrets.

I found this great guide during a google search i thought i'd share with you guys. Doesn't talk about black shirts, but great advice for other colors and different types of stains.

http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-Clean-Stains-from-Vintage-T-shirts_W0QQugidZ10000000006770785

[jimmyj]

We did a pretty detailed guide a few years back...

http://www.defunkd.com/2009/02/18/ultim ... val-guide/

Although it looks like a fade not a stain.

You can always dye your shirts, it's controversial but this gentleman gently puts the deep black back in his tees.

http://www.defunkd.com/2009/02/01/the-g ... -t-shirts/

[TrickyGuns]

Don't know how i missed the guide on the site, sorry jimmyj. Very helpful stuff. I'm just paranoid, i'll probably leave it be if theres not a simple fix. I'm pretty impressed with the way that guys Slatanic shirt came out. I would have thought the dye would ruin the graphic. Looks like it's as easy as picking up a bottle of Textil Echtfarbe...or Färbesalz...

lol

[nicotine]

it looks fade. personally stain, fade and bleach are fine, as long as they nicely flatter tees as vintage stuffs are.