Badge Magic

I know some don't like this easy way out, but I just used the stuff on my uniform and it was the easiest process. I will let everyone know how it performs over the next few months.

Here is what brought me to this. I got a Centennial uniform (canvas). I really like the way it fits and feels. I had two problems. The pocket flap has changed size and my OA flap doesn't fit quite the same. I was unable to find a way to sew it on without the thread being obvious (you can't hide the thread in the border anymore). Second, the position patch was just annoying me. With the Badge magic, both problems were fixed easily.

Badge Magic is all good until you need to remove something...then it leaves a big old ugly stain making the uniform unusable to pass along to someone else! Especially if the badges have been there for a couple of years!!

Concur, badge magic does leave stains, almost makign the uniform unusable if you want to pass it down.

I've used the predecessor, Badge Bond, 1 time, and only because it was a can that was returned b/c the customer was not happy one bit about it. got permission to play with the stuff, and will never use it or anythign like it again.

Years ago I tried using a similiar material called 'stich witchery'. It came in strips and had to be steamed on to 'work'. Problem with patches was the plastic backing prevented it from fully working, so I'd have to remove that if possible. Then washing/drying too often caused the patches to come off, etc. so I'd have to reapply the patches...

And when the patches did come off, it left the material behind. It could be sort of scrapped off, but still was a mess.

Just wasn't worth it.

I sew all my patches on. For OA flaps, I use velcro. This is because of a combination of having several shirts and lodges in my area change their flap every couple of years, with the usually 'rule' they want members to wear the current flap. So its easier to switch to the current one by just sewing velcro on a single flap, and I'm good for all my uniforms.

For all, Goo Gone will get rid of that nasty residue from the badge magic. I personally prefer to use velcro on my uniforms. I bought the khaki colored stuff in a 25ft/1.5 in roll. I have outfitted a Webelos uniform, two for me and one for the wife, with plenty of left over. I can change out everything minutes. Now, if we can get that plastic flag removed from the centennial uniform, I can put on a larger US flag, just like the old one.

Question: what's on the border so as to not allow the thread to be covered over? Every patch I've sewn on my uniform has been done in white thread. No one can tell. What's changed?

Stosh

Dry cleaning removes Badge Magic in my experience. My son had a red vest in Cub Scouts, and we attached all of his badges with Badge Magic. As he outgrew the vest, we wanted to remove all the patches and put them on a larger size. We put the red vest in a mesh bag, and had the dry cleaner run it through. It came back as a bag full of patches and a nice clean red vest. Worked great for that.

The badges will also come off in the dryer if you have the heat too high by accident...

...yeah I know this from experience...had to use GOOF OFF to get it out, then had to find something to neutralize that...

...my white car towel after washing them with bleach worked ok.

I know some hate badge magic, and I certainly agree that there is something to be said for learning sewing.

I have been using badge magic for the past four years on all my uniform stuff. The only place it hasn't held perfectly is on a nylon windbreaker. One patch (of dozens) has slightly slid on that surface. All patches on uniforms are great. The only repair I've had to make is on the large shoulder strip for district -- it bends so much that I have needed to (once) add a little more badge magic to keep the ends down.

I sewed all of the patches on my son's tiger cub uniform, except for his bobcat and tiger cub badges. I used Badge Magic for the rank badges. The only problem I've had so far is that the special "2010" tiger cub badge has a cotton backing that attached to the shirt, but the badge peeled away from the backing. I fixed it by putting a bit of badge magic between the badge and the backing, and it seems to be working fine for now.

Sewing some of the other badges was a bit tricky because the plastic backing on the patches is pretty tough. I suppose it would be easier with a sewing machine, but I was doing it by hand.

I use a small bit of it to hold the badge in place while I sew them on.

Then I take it to get dry-cleaned BEFORE the stuff has a chance to set up.

I felt the same way about the flag. First off, I thought that wearing of the US flag on the uniform was optional. And yes the woven flag looks wrong with all the rest of the patches being stiched.

I removed the woven flag from my Centennial shirt by heating it up with an iron. This soften the glue enough that I could peel it off. I then replaced it with a flag from the scout shop.

Mat

mds3d Posted: Tuesday, 3/9/2010: 1:19:02 PM

Here is what brought me to this. I got a Centennial uniform (canvas). I really like the way it fits and feels. I had two problems. The pocket flap has changed size and my OA flap doesn't fit quite the same. I was unable to find a way to sew it on without the thread being obvious (you can't hide the thread in the border anymore). Second, the position patch was just annoying me. With the Badge magic, both problems were fixed easily.