Starch Questions inside

[passive101]

I have heard that starch will help hide my firearm and make the shirts just a little stiffer.

It was only .93 cents for a can at walmart. I got regular and a heavy hold can.
So it looks like I spray it on and then iron them?
Should the shirt be wet or dry when I spray it?
How much do I spray on?
Does it last the whole day wearing the shirt?

These are just 9.00 button up shirts from walmart if anyone is wondering and seem pretty nice.

[JASV.17]

Dry. Give the shirt a spray (go easy, just a quick pass) and then iron it out. Do an area at a time.

I'd just do one, try it on and see how you like it.

Yes, it'll mostly last all day.

[WIG19]

Use only the minimum iron heat necessary to achieve the 'pressed' effect you're looking for. Otherwise you'll get some really ugly shiny non-tacticool starch tracks which you've pressed into your shirt.

This is kinda neat - a whole 'nuther generation might learn about starch.
:rofl:

[rvrctyrngr]

I have all my button-up shirts starched. It does help with concealment, IMO.

What is this 'iron' thing/activity you speak of?

[itsnitro]

:popcorn:

[passive101]

I have all my button-up shirts starched. It does help with concealment, IMO.

What is this 'iron' thing/activity you speak of?

You can do it without an iron? How do you do that? I only have spray on stuff.

[JASV.17]

You can do it without an iron? How do you do that? I only have spray on stuff.


Yes, you can do it without and iron. Or even the spray on starch. It's called the Dry Cleaners. However, one trip will cost more than your shirts, so stick with the spray on.

[rvrctyrngr]

Yes, you can do it without and iron. Or even the spray on starch. It's called the Dry Cleaners. However, one trip will cost more than your shirts, so stick with the spray on.

Yup. I'm lucky enough to have a mom n' pop dry cleaners by my house. $1.50/shirt. Having spent 14 years in the military, I'd gladly pay a bunch more than that.

I went through a zillion cans of Niagra Speed Starch and Magic Sizing during those years, but you could shave with the creases in my shirts and pants!!!!

[passive101]

I can't afford a shop and a whole can of the stuff is less then 1.00. Do the cans not do at least a couple shirts?

[BigKid]

Depending on the size of the can it should last you a good deal of time. Make sure to keep the tip clean. I usually save up my ironing to be done at one setting so as to keep the pain of having to do it to a minimum. When I get done ironing I'll take the tip off of the aresol can and run it under some hot water to clean it out. Otherwise the starch dries and it isn't very much fun sprayig at that point.

As for concealing better, I believe they do conceal a little better. The only downside is, a starched shirt shows wear wrinkles a little more prominently. So throughout the day, the wrinkles that form because of how you sit/wear the shirt will stand out a little more, especially around your firearm. I've never had anyone question my random wrinkles, but they make me self conscious.

Oh, and keep an eye on your iron too. The bottom of it could get grimy with old starch. If you don't keep it clean the old starch has a tendancy to deposit itself on the most noticable portion of the shirt.

[passive101]

Starch is not clear?


hmmm maybe I should not have made fun of everyone taking home ec in high school

[BigKid]

Starch is not clear?


hmmm maybe I should not have made fun of everyone taking home ec in high school

If done right, it'll iron on clear. If done incorrectly you'll get a white residue. Trial by fire my friend. Grab a shirt you may not fit into anymore and starch the crap out of it. I like mine very lightly starched (which is one reason why I do it myself, that and $$$, cause dry cleaners tend to over starch) so I rarely have a residue problem. Someone also mentioned to use it dry. I like to spray a light coat of water on my shirt and a light coat of starch. Worst case, if you mess up, toss it in the wash and try again.

[passive101]

Ok so starch can not harm my clothes. Well I like that part of it.

does anyone have pictures of these starch wrinkles that get more apparent? I'm curious if this would make carrying easier or harder.

[BigKid]

As luck would have it, the day I mention it being an issue, its not an issue. I really don't see it as a deal breaker though. A full 12 hour day will usually result in a few wrinkles that perhaps extremely observant people may notice and ask questions, but like I said, nobody has ever asked me. I've been carrying with starched shirts every weekday (and some weekends) for the past year and a half. Try not to let it stress you out too much, its just something I've noticed. I also get wear wrinkles when I carry while in a suit. Nobody has ever asked about those either.

Starch is very temporary. On a fully starched shirt, all the starch will be washed out after a couple of washes. I bet once you give it a shot you'll see its a lot easier than you originally thought.

[BigKid]

Ok so starch can not harm my clothes. Well I like that part of it.

Ironing too hot will though, so you may want to be careful with the temperature of your iron. Like someone above said, use low temp for that crisp look, and you have a less likelihood of burning your clothes.

[gary newport]

Use only the minimum iron heat necessary to achieve the 'pressed' effect you're looking for. Otherwise you'll get some really ugly shiny non-tacticool starch tracks which you've pressed into your shirt.

This is kinda neat - a whole 'nuther generation might learn about starch.
:rofl:

Starch? :dunno:

[passive101]

It didn't do anything to a Rayon button up shirt. Applying more now! :dunno: