Any ideas on how to restore an old trunk? I
by
Barb
+4
It is at least a 100 years old. Was my grandmothers and her fathers before. It’s in pretty rough shape. But I would like to restore it enough to use it for linens. Any ideas?
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what material is the truck?
Pictures would help!
Clean it well. Use Murphy's oil soap, which is very mild and good for wood and leather and won't hurt other materials. Then you may wish to line the inside, if the liner is in poor shape. You could use contac paper, but you may wish to just thumbtack some loose fabric in key spots. You can use a satiny fabric to make it look fancy. Somewhat like a treasure chest. That will also help keep your linens clean, if the liner is soiled beyond being able to be completely cleaned up.
If the outside is wood, you may wish to refinish it by staining or painting. If so, sand lightly first, and remove all sanding dust. This will allow the finish to adhere better to the trunk.
This site may give you some other ideas:
https://www.brettunsvillage.com/trunks/howto/howto/
I have seen antique trunks that had previously damaged interiors that were beyond repair, revived with upholstered interiors, instead of trying to stain the wood. Perhaps this might be an option for you here?..........
How about a chalk paint makeover?