Table of Contents
How do you clean and restore an old trunk?
Vacuum the inside and outside of your antique trunk. Use a brush attachment to gently vacuum along the inner walls and corners of the trunk. Clean metal antique trunks with a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. Prop the trunk open and allow it to air dry completely.
Are old trunks worth anything?
Once you refinish it the value can range from $250 up to a high end of about $750. Little details determine where in that range the price will fall. 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.
Can 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.
How do you 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 do you refinish a wood trunk?
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.
How do you get mold out of an old trunk?
If it still smells old and musty, place a small bowl of white vinegar inside it. Close the lid and let the vinegar deodorize the trunk for a few days. Clean stubborn mold from the inside of an old steamer trunk with diluted bleach. Mix a half cup of bleach in a bucket of warm water.
What are steamer trunks made of?
Typically, the body of a steamer trunk is made from thick wood or metal, and it is often strapped with metal or leather bands to ensure that it is extremely sturdy. A frame of metal or wood may be enclosed inside the steamer trunk so that it can endure heavy impacts and the weight of luggage stacked on top of it.
How do you clean a black trunk?
Clean trunk thoroughly using ammonia and soap dissolved in warm water to remove grease and grime. Use a soft brush where necessary but do not keep the trunk wet longer than necessary. Rinse by wiping with water and vinegar and buff dry. Let dry overnight.
How do I know if my old trunk is valuable?
Measure the size of your antique trunk. If the your trunk is 30 inches (76.2 cm) or under then your trunk will be worth more. The reason is that smaller trunks fit easier in peoples homes than larger trunks.
How do I know if my trunk is antique?
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.
Why is it called a steamer trunk?
Cabin trunks, which are sometimes called “true” steamer trunks, were the equivalent of today’s carry-on luggage. They were low-profiled and small enough to fit under the berths of trains or in the cabin of a steamer, hence their name.
What can I 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 you restore old rusted metal trunks?
Rub the rust in a circular motion with steel wool, remembering that steel and tin, which are harder, may require a wire brush, while brass, which is softer, might be quickly restored with steel wool. Still, a heavy buildup of rust on brass might require the wire brush.
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.
How do you get musty smell out of wood?
Vinegar & Water Solution Just mix water and vinegar together using a 1:1 ratio and thoroughly wipe down your piece of furniture, then allow it to air dry. Or you can also fill a spray bottle with the solution and spray it down, whichever your little heart desires.
How do you sand a trunk?
Sand the wood inside and outside the trunk with medium-grade sandpaper. Remove the sanding debris and then sand the trunk with light-grade sandpaper. Remove the sanding debris thoroughly with a damp cloth.
How do you paint a wooden trunk?
Apply the spray primer to the entire storage trunk, if necessary. Apply the paint to the storage trunk. Apply the first coat of paint to the trunk. Examine the storage trunk. Decide whether you will be varnishing your storage trunk.
