how do you clean and restore an old trunk

Here’s the process I used ( short version) :

• Clean trunk thoroughly using ammonia and soap dissolved in warm water to remove grease and grime. ...
• Sand the metal and anything else that requires smoothing but do not sand leather. ...
• Paint metal strips and leather straps (only if they have already been painted otherwise you would use shoe polish in the colour of the leather). ...

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How to manually open trunk?

• Raise the door handle and slide the cylinder in from the same angle it came out. ...
• Once the cylinder is facing the right way and the door handle can slide onto it, insert the key, turn it and gently apply pressure, and the cylinder should fall ...
• With the key left in the lock, tighten the Torx screw. ...

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How to redo old trunks?

Trunks with only moderate damage can often be repaired because replacement parts such as corner trim, latches, rivets and leather handles are available through mail-order companies specializing in trunk restoration. Leather handles, a common problem area on old trunks, are easy to replace.

How to clean or restore old steamer trunks?

• Step One: The first thing you have to do is inspect everything around the steamer trunk. ...
• Step Two: The inside of the trunk should be covered in wallpaper. What you have to do is scrape off all the paper using a putty knife. ...
• Step Six : As for the steel, you can use some sandpaper and then buff them properly with steel wood. ...

How to decorate an old trunk?

You can turn a vintage trunk into a gorgeous bedside table, whatever style of your bedroom is. Renovate it if needed to match your bedroom decor and place next to your bed – you’ll get not only a unique nightstand but also a gorgeous storage piece, which will add chic.

When cleaning a trunk, do you restore it?

How to clean a steamer trunk?

Why do people have steamer trunks?

How to remove mold from a tree trunk?

How to make steel shine?

Can you replace a steamer trunk?

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How do you refurbish an old trunk?

2:468:02DIY: Refinishing An Antique Trunk - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first step was tearing out all of the old canvas. And then after that we sanded down the insideMoreThe first step was tearing out all of the old canvas. And then after that we sanded down the inside of the trunk and applied a polyurethane to seal during this filming I was not wearing gloves.

How do you restore an old leather trunk?

0:061:44How to Restore a Leather Travel Trunk - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe just use sponges. And we we will use a little bit of fine wire wool. We recommend using a veryMoreWe just use sponges. And we we will use a little bit of fine wire wool. We recommend using a very fine wire wool which is a double zero or a triple zero grade.

Are old trunks worth any money?

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.

How do you clean an old wooden chest?

0:154:14How to Clean & Hydrate Old Wood and an Antique Art Box TourYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI also like to use microfiber cloths. Because they don't shed very much. You can use a lint-freeMoreI also like to use microfiber cloths. Because they don't shed very much. You can use a lint-free cloth as well and you want to just rub it into the wood the vinegar cleans the wood.

How do you get the musty smell out of an old trunk?

Here's a method I use to lighten up old trunk odor:Vacuum the interior carefully and then set it outside in direct sunlight for a day.Wad up newspapers and fill the interior with them. ... Next, spread out fresh newspapers. ... Repeat these steps until the smell has lessened.More items...•

How do you get rust off an old trunk?

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 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.

How much is an old steamer trunk worth?

While a luxury antique Lois Vuitton steamer trunk may not go for less than $20 000, there are normal household vintage types you can get on Amazon for less than $100.

Why are they called steamer trunks?

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.

How do you restore old wood furniture without stripping?

0:041:19How to restore furniture without chemical stripping - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that might solve your problem entirely if not there are products designed to do that. If youMoreAnd that might solve your problem entirely if not there are products designed to do that. If you discover you have any chipped or missing veneer you can apply epoxy putty to the damaged. Areas.

How do you clean old weathered wood?

Scrub the wood down using soapy water or a combination of detergent, bleach, and water to clean the wood. Always remember to protect yourself with proper safety equipment from the fumes of the cleaner and any mold spores. If the wood isn't cleaned the first time, don't be afraid to restart the process.

How do you remove ingrained dirt from wood?

6 days agoTo clean ingrained dirt from wood, first determine the type of seal it has. If the wood is varnished use a damp cloth and dish soap. For untreated wood begin with a damp cloth and if the dirt is more stubborn wipe over gently with a mixture of equal parts oil, turpentine and white vinegar. Allow to dry and then buff.

How do you clean old black leather?

Using warm soapy water made with a gentle cleanser like baby shampoo, Dove (unscented), or soap flakes, rub the leather with a soft cloth to produce a lather in any area you want to clean. Wipe away excess lather with a clean cloth.

How do you remove rivets from an old trunk?

Nails or rivets holding these are usually countersunk with the head below the metal catch. Ease a screwdriver under the catch and tap gently around the catch until it is raised and you can pull out the nails with a pliers or cut them off with a nippers. To replace, close the trunk.

How to clean an antique trunk?

Step 1. 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. Vacuum the exterior to remove excess dust, hair, and loose dirt.

How to clean leather trunks?

If the interior of the trunk is lined with paper or has any paper decorations, avoid cleaning those areas with the saddle soap solution. Wipe down the wood areas on the outside and inside and change the soapy solution if it gets dirty.

How to get rid of musty smell in antique trunk?

Prop the trunk open and allow it to air dry completely. Combat musty odors by placing a bowl or box of baking soda in the trunk, once it's dry, and closing the lid. Allow the baking soda to sit inside the antique trunk overnight.

What was used to transport luggage in the 1800s?

Baking soda. An old steamer trunk was used to transport luggage in the 1800s. Antique storage trunks add a decorative touch to any home and can serve as extra storage where needed. If you've found an antique trunk at a garage sale or antique store it may be dirty and not in ready-to-use condition.

Can antique trunks be decorative?

Antique trunks needn't be merely decorative and can be made functional with some careful cleaning. With the use of simple supplies from home and the store, you can add functional history to your decor. Advertisement.

Can you use linseed oil on antique trunks?

Oil extremely dry wooden antique trunks with linseed oil. Dry wood will look dull and is not good for the longevity of the trunk. Use caution when cleaning paper-lined trunks. The paper becomes fragile and brittle over time and should be cleaned or wiped down once per season or less, if possible.

How to get rid of steamer trunk odor?

The first step to rid this large steamer trunk of the stench is to air it out. I left the trunk in my storage unit for a couple of months with the lid open before bringing in to the shop. This helped but certainly did not do the job completely. My next step is to spray the vintage steamer trunk with OdoBan.

How to apply lemon verbena to vintage trunk?

Using your dedicated brush apply the lemon verbena to the entire vintage trunk. Work the furniture salve into the wood as well as gently applying over the labels.

What are the problems with steamer trunk restoration?

There are always a few obstacles. In the case of this steamer chest here are the main issues: spider webs. mildew odor. labels falling off. Let’s address these issues.

Why is a steamer trunk called a steamer trunk?

A steamer trunk actually got its name because it was designed to be used aboard a steamship, also known as a “steamer”. These sturdy wooden travel chests were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s for those traveling long distances aboard these ships. Which is exactly where this particular antique trunk came from.

How to keep old trunks?

Keep your old trunk as it is as much as you can tolerate . I would only dust it. Look for ways to lightly "clean" old wood or whatever material you think it is made from. I believe you can find your answer on Pinterest.com. If you do a lot of cleaning, you will devalue it. You sorta have to learn to like the dirt, I think. lol

What to do with a trunk that has sentimental value?

If it is a trunk with huge sentimental value and you are planning to use and love it, then I would fix it up. If you are thinking of fixing to resell, it would take a lot of research to find the true market value for sales and then figure out if a repair would increase or decrease the value. That is a whole other can of worms.

What to do with old furniture that is not manufactured anymore?

You could try thrift stores. If it is old, it may not be manufactured anymore. You could also try to find someone to make a drawer.

Does essential oil clean leather?

It is gentle & the essential oils help clean canvas & leather without drying it out. I have even used it on my leather purses & boots. I pretty much use it to clean everything, including my floors. If you haven't found what you were looking for to clean up the surfaces of your trunk, this may be what you need.

Can you use a forgotten trunk?

Now your previously forgotten trunk will work fine, regardless of how decrepit the hinges are. If they are still attached, (even by a hair), your trunk will now function properly, provided you have done it right.

What to do if you have rust on your trunk?

So if you're facing rust on the metal or brass sections of an antique trunk, roll up your sleeves and take your time to restore the piece to its original state of splendor. Advertisement.

How to remove rust from brass?

Begin with a super fine steel wool (grade 0000) and keep very fine (grade 00) and medium (grade 1) nearby; use them in this order. 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. Choose the least aggressive removal method first, graduate as needed and take your time.

What tools do I need to remove canvas?

Tools:#N#Utility knife - for removing old canvas cover. (have lots of extra blades since the years worth of dirt in the material act like sandpaper)#N#Metal Scraper - scraping off old paper, tucking edges of old material under seams#N#Drill and Wire Wheel - For removing rust from metal parts#N#Nail puller and hammer - removing old hardware#N#Sharp Chisel - to straighten the points on the old nails and tacks before pulling#N#Pliers - for straightening nails and tacks#N#Sander - optional but it helps#N#Dust Mask and Glasses - Safety first#N#**Saw - if you need to build a new tray otherwise it's not necessary#N#Supplies:#N#60, 150, 220, 300 and grit sandpaper - lots of that to be done#N#7-8oz leather@ 1 1/4" leather belts - For straps, leather patches and leather handles#N#2X Belt Buckles, rivets, Fiebings leather dye - hardware for leatherwork.#N#Wood Stain/Finish - I used Minwax Polyshades which blends both stain and polyurethane but you can do them separately if you want.#N#Masking Tape - to mask of edges for staining#N#Beeswax Polish - to protect the metal from rusting again

What grit to use for tight corners?

For the tight corners, a slotted screwdriver or chisel works just as well. Sanding; There's going to be lots of that. The best way is a graduated sanding where you start with 60 grit, to remove some of the larger burrs, then gradually reduce the grit to 300 until the piece is nice and smooth.

What is a third restoration?

The third is a moderate restoration, where as much of the original hardware is re-used. Whenever possible, parts from the same period (and preferably manufacturer) are installed and failing that, replaced with new hardware.

Do I need to stain the inside of a tree trunk?

There's no need to sta in the inside of the trunk and in fact, the raw wood look made a nice contrast. Once the stain/finish had dried overnight, I then used the beeswax polish and applied three coats on both the outside and inside of the trunk, wiping off the excess between coats.

When cleaning a trunk, do you restore it?

When you are cleaning, you may be restoring the trunk as well. That is why you would want to use everything that will stay similar. Otherwise, the whole trunk will become something new and loose its antique feeling. And there will be no meaning left by collecting them.

How to clean a steamer trunk?

If there is any dust, you need to wipe them off with dry clothes first. Step Two: The inside of the trunk should be covered in wallpaper. What you have to do is scrape off all the paper using a putty knife.

Why do people have steamer trunks?

The steamer trunks used to be so famous in ancient times. People who love to go traveling would have a steamer trunk to keep all the valuable belongings safe. Here we are going to tell you ways on how to clean an old steamer trunk. The steamer trunks are very heavy and thick. They are made in a way to keep things inside safe.

How to remove mold from a tree trunk?

To remove the mold, you can use bleach and water solution. Be careful not to use too much bleach as it could ruin the wood or steel. After using the mixture, you can let the trunk dry in the sun for a few hours. Step Four: There are probably going to be some damaged nails and pliers on them.

How to make steel shine?

To make the steel part shine, you can use a polyurethane coat to prevent it from rusting further. And again, if something is damaged beyond repair, make sure to replace them. Step Seven: You can now add the wallpaper inside the back. Buy a similar pattern. You may find them easily in an antique craft store.

Can you replace a steamer trunk?

If the steamer trunk is way too old and has some wooden parts damaged beyond repair, you can replace them. Though this might be a lot of work, it will save the trunk from further damage. Step Six : As for the steel, you can use some sandpaper and then buff them properly with steel wood.