Antique Trunk With Metal Sheeting Cleaning

To some extent imperfections are exactly what make antiques so endearing and desirable.

Antique trunk with metal sheeting cleaning.

Remove surface dirt from the trunk with a microfiber cloth. The metal on an antique trunk is designed to protect the trunks corners. Clean metal antique trunks with a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands.

Allow to dry and then prime with rustoleum aluminum primer. Trunk restoration is a combination of wood working metal craft and leather work so it helps to have some experience in all three fields. This is a guide about cleaning and restoring an old trunk. Step 4 prop the trunk open and allow it to air dry completely.

I suggest de glossing the surface of the aluminum with 320 grit sandpaper and then wiping the sheet metal clean with a lint free cloth and mineral spirits. Allow to dry for 48 hours. After years of use the antique metal may develop a characteristic patina. Pay special attention to grooves and indentations so.

A metal patina is a change in color that takes place with exposure to oils. Rust is something you ll want to remove because it undercuts the beauty of a piece. Gently clean paper lined trunk interiors by spraying the vinegar solution on your cleaning cloth and carefully wiping down the interior. Jul 24 2016 like most antique lovers you can largely overlook a piece s minor flaws to appreciate its obvious beauty.

Antique steamer trunk large clean vintage victorian flat top chest w key c1895. All of the edges are metal and there are metal straps and leather handles. Give yourself plenty of room to. It is covered in a material that is torn in places.

The statement i read said it the monitor trunk was named after the civil war iron clad battleship uss monitor because of the resemblance of the tops. But rust is another matter. Other non aluminum primers may not adhere well to the aluminum. See picture at left these trunks were primarily covered with metal but also canvas and leather and have the horrendous nickname of waterfall trunk.

Restoring a vintage steamer trunk. Removing the old material covering. Set the antique trunk on a drop cloth or old blanket in a well ventilated area. Whether it s an heirloom or an antique store find an old trunk can be a wonder addition to your home for both storage and decoration.