Table of Contents
How do you clean an old trunk?
Clean metal antique trunks with a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. Gently clean paper lined trunk interiors by spraying the vinegar solution on your cleaning cloth and carefully wiping down the interior.
How do I know if my old trunk is valuable?
If you paint anything on the trunk black or gold (metal banding, corners, etc) the trunk’s value will fall in the low end of the range. Having the original key pushes the value up, as do any types of tags or labels indicating who made the trunk.
What can you do with an old trunk?
A vintage trunk can be also turned into a home bar, just renovate or decorate it as you need and then put on some legs of your choice, or put several trunks on each other. Voila! you can use the top or open the chest and place bottles and glasses inside.
How do I get the musty smell out of an old trunk?
If any odor remains, place a small bowl filled with white vinegar in the bottom of the trunk and close the lid. Vinegar is a natural odor absorber and neutralizer that will help rid the trunk of odor. Leave the bowl of vinegar inside the trunk overnight.
How much is an antique trunk worth?
The average American made antique trunk is worth about $100 to $300 depending on the style, size and condition. If fully restored prices can be anywhere from $400 to $1300.
How do you get the musty smell out of a trunk?
If the trunk has been wet, and Missouri humidity counts, you might have to spray the interior with bleach water to kill mildew. Use 3 parts water to 1 part bleach. Leave the trunk open until it’s dry.
How old is my antique trunk?
1) To be considered antique, trunks must be at least 100 years and cannot have been restored. This greatly affects their value and should definitely be taken into consideration when you’re looking to start or expand your collection.
How do you clean old black leather?
Spot clean leather using a soft cloth dampened with water. Rub the damp cloth over the soiled area in a circular motion to remove dirt. Apply a drop of dish soap to the damp cloth for tougher stains.
How much is a Saratoga trunk worth?
If you have provenance of your trunk belonging to a historical figure or have a rare style of trunk such as a Saratoga trunk it is best to leave it as is. Most common trunk values range from 50 to 200 dollars depending on the venue it is being sold in and how much the buyer is willing to pay.
How much is a Louis Vuitton trunk worth?
Highlighted by a number of pieces — like the Christopher backpack, Keepall duffel bag, accessories and two footwear styles — the most newsworthy piece was the Louis Vuitton trunk, which will retail for a whopping $68,500 (all prices in USD) — double a regular in-house trunk.
How do you paint an old trunk?
Clean and sand the trunk until it is free of any dust and has a smooth texture. Dip a paintbrush into the paint until it is barely covered. Wipe it off on a soft cloth to reduce the amount of paint on the bristles. Brush the paint onto the trunk with an light pressure, letting the trunk’s original finish show through.
Are steamer trunks valuable?
These are the two most important factors in determining the value of your antique steamer trunk. Louis Vuitton trunks will sell for between $3000 and $20,000 while an unmarked steamer trunk will only sell for between $75 and $100. Martin Maier and Goyard steamer trunks may sell for between $500 and $3000.
How do you line an old trunk with cedar?
How to Cedar Line a Trunk Start with the bottom. Glue the boards to the bottom of the trunk and let dry. Cut the pieces for the two ends of the trunk. Glue the end pieces into place. Measure and cut the boards to go on the two longer sides. Glue these side pieces and let the glue dry.
What is a camelback trunk?
This trunk was commonly called a camel back, dome top or steamer trunk. The top on this trunk curves both directions. This design was first made in the early 1800’s in Europe. The top was designed to prevent other luggage from being stacked atop them when used in traveling by ship to America.
What are old trunks made of?
Trunks have been used around the world for thousands of years. The small, flat-topped trunk, we see in use today were popular during the Victorian era and were used primarily for storage. They were usually made of pine and covered in decorative material or leather.
How do you refinish an old wooden chest?
How to Refinish a Wood Chest 1 Clean the Chest Up. Place the chest on a work surface at about waist height. 2 Remove the Hardware. Use a screwdriver to remove hinges and latches. 3 Repair Cracks + Splinters. 4 Fill Dents + Scratches. 5 Sand the Chest. 6 Nooks + Crannies. 7 Final Sanding. 8 Wipe On, Wipe Off.
