Antique Trunk With Metal Sheeting Cleaning

Allow to dry and then prime with rustoleum aluminum primer.

Antique trunk with metal sheeting cleaning. The hardest part of the entire project is in the preparation of the piece. See picture at left these trunks were primarily covered with metal but also canvas and leather and have the horrendous nickname of waterfall trunk. Trunk restoration is a combination of wood working metal craft and leather work so it helps to have some experience in all three fields. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands.

The metal on an antique trunk is designed to protect the trunks corners. Antique steamer trunk large clean vintage victorian flat top chest w key c1895. Metal brass steel and iron were often used to make the latches corners and edges of a vintage style steamer trunk. 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.

Pay special attention to grooves and indentations so. Jul 24 2016 like most antique lovers you can largely overlook a piece s minor flaws to appreciate its obvious beauty. Remove surface dirt from the trunk with a microfiber cloth. Rust is something you ll want to remove because it undercuts the beauty of a piece.

This is a guide about cleaning and restoring an old trunk. After years of use the antique metal may develop a characteristic patina. Step 4 prop the trunk open and allow it to air dry completely. Gently clean paper lined trunk interiors by spraying the vinegar solution on your cleaning cloth and carefully wiping down the interior.

To some extent imperfections are exactly what make antiques so endearing and desirable. Other non aluminum primers may not adhere well to the aluminum. 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. Restoring a vintage steamer trunk.

It is covered in a material that is torn in places. How to clean rust off of antique metal trunks step 1. Allow to dry for 48 hours. Removing the old material covering.

But rust is another matter. Set the antique trunk on a drop cloth or old blanket in a well ventilated area. Clean metal antique trunks with a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. 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.