Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Make a drawing of what you want the final result to look like when you have finished restoring it. Make notes about each part of the trunk concerning the original look and what you envision. Evaluate the condition of each part and note if you feel it needs replacement.
Remove the metal hardware from the exterior of the trunk. You will need to clean and refinish these parts before they you replace them. Nip off the ends of the nails that have been bent over on the inside of the trunk with end nipper pliers. Pry the head of the nail up with a tack lifter. Remove the nails from the outside of the trunk. Discard the nails.
Clean the embossed tin pieces that show rust or excessive wear with a wire wheel mounted to the electric drill. Other cleaning implements may or may not be required, such as sandpaper and wire brushes. Rub the tin with steel wool. Spray a light coat of clear coat to protect the metal pieces from more damage. For non-embossed tin pieces such as corners, remove the rust and then paint with a light coat of clear coat. Paint the pieces with primer and then with satin black paint.
Replace any pieces of tin that have rusted through. Substitute aluminum for the tin if you have trouble finding tin in the appropriate size. After priming and painting the replacement piece it will not be noticeable.
Strip wood surfaces with a furniture stripper and refinisher. Wash the surfaces with oil soap to remove any remaining dirt and sand if necessary. Coat the wood with tung oil to bring out the hidden luster of the wood. Apply an oil-based top coat as the last layer of finish on the wood pieces.
Clean, repair or replace the canvas on the exterior of the trunk. Make repairs using wood glue. If you must replace the canvas, use the old pieces of canvas as a template for the new canvas covering. Repaint the canvas, or if you choose to leave it in the natural color apply a coat of polyurethane over the outside to make it weather resistant.
Clean any leather on the trunk with saddle soap and a clean cloth. Work the leather with neatsfoot oil to restore the color and softness to the leather. Avoid patching any pieces of leather that have rotted or broken. Replacement leather will always be apparent.
Reattach the metal pieces and other items that you removed earlier from the exterior of the trunk. Drive in the new nails with a hammer and use a steel heel on the inside to turn the point of the nail to the side to hold the nail in place.
Install new leather handles directly over the nail holes for the original handles. Bend the leather for the handles into shape with the ends flat against the trunk. Nail the handles onto the trunk through the original nail holes.
Seal the inside of the trunk where gaps or leaks have occurred. Use wood filler for areas where the wood has pulled away or knots have loosened. If you need to replace sections of wood, cut out the area in squares and replace with wood of the same thickness and appearance.
Wash the inside of the trunk completely with a solution of bleach and water to get rid of any odor or musty smell. Leave open for at least a few days to completely dry out. If possible, place in the sun to dry.
Reline the trunk with wallpaper, fabric or cedar lining. If you choose to use paper, use plain paper or paper that you have made to appear old. Always remove old lining before installing new lining. Use an excess of paper when relining the trunk. Make sure that a half inch of paper extends beyond the edge of the wall. This will help the paper seal all the way to the edge. Trim the excess with a razor knife after the lining dries.