Clean metal antique trunks with a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle.
Antique trunk with metal sheeting cleaning.
How to clean rust off of antique metal trunks step 1.
Allow to dry for 48 hours.
Other non aluminum primers may not adhere well to the aluminum.
To some extent imperfections are exactly what make antiques so endearing and desirable.
It is covered in a material that is torn in places.
This is a guide about cleaning and restoring an old trunk.
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.
A metal patina is a change in color that takes place with exposure to oils.
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.
All of the edges are metal and there are metal straps and leather handles.
Give yourself plenty of room to.
Gently clean paper lined trunk interiors by spraying the vinegar solution on your cleaning cloth and carefully wiping down the interior.
Trunk restoration is a combination of wood working metal craft and leather work so it helps to have some experience in all three fields.
Step 4 prop the trunk open and allow it to air dry completely.
Antique steamer trunk large clean vintage victorian flat top chest w key c1895.
After years of use the antique metal may develop a characteristic patina.
Restoring a vintage steamer trunk.
Jul 24 2016 like most antique lovers you can largely overlook a piece s minor flaws to appreciate its obvious beauty.
The hardest part of the entire project is in the preparation of the piece.
Removing the old material covering.
Metal brass steel and iron were often used to make the latches corners and edges of a vintage style steamer trunk.
Set the antique trunk on a drop cloth or old blanket in a well ventilated area.
The metal on an antique trunk is designed to protect the trunks corners.
Allow to dry and then prime with rustoleum aluminum primer.
But rust is another matter.
Pay special attention to grooves and indentations so.
See picture at left these trunks were primarily covered with metal but also canvas and leather and have the horrendous nickname of waterfall trunk.
Remove surface dirt from the trunk with a microfiber cloth.