Cleaning and restoring sports memorabilia: Sporting patches

A client sent us a vintage, embroidered sporting patch that features a hydroplane. He had removed the sporting patch from a beat up windbreaker that could not be salvaged.

The patch was in poor condition: the fabric was fragile and exhibited rust, grease stains and yellowing associated with poor storage over the years.

In the lore of hydroplaning, Miss Seattle holds a special place.

Here's a brief history according to "This is Hydroplaning" by Paul Lowney:

"Miss Seattle was built by Jensen Boat Works in Seattle in 1951. Designed by Ted Jones, the mahogany craft is 28 feet long with a 12 foot beam and weighs 4,850 pounds. She is powered by a Rolls Merlin engine. Her first competition was the 1951 Gold Cup Race which she won. She won it again in 1954. In a qualifying run for the 1955 Gold Cup, she turned a complete backward flip and landed right side up, suffering considerable damage. Her retirement was announced at the end of the 1958 season. Her colors are mahogany with red and yellow trim and a checkerboard tail fin and she races out of the Seattle Yacht Club."

The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Seattle, Washington, features a collection of vintage hydroplanes spanning seven decades, including boats that have won 17 Gold Cups.

Over the years, the museum's restoration shop has restored 7 of the most famous Gold Cup winners, including Miss Seattle, to full running condition.

With the exception of a small area at the top left and bottom right, the patch restored beautifully.

The following BEFORE and AFTER photographs reflect the transformation:

For even more BEFORE and AFTER photographs on the transformation of this sporting patch, please view our slide show below:

To view this slide show on a full screen, hit the X button with the arrow tips.