Do you have an old trunk somewhere up in your attic, gathering dust because years ago some imbecile flipped the lid up hard and bent the hinges outwards? All you need to repair it is some braided high-test fishing line (the heavier stuff) and a staple gun.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have just purchased this lovely old trunk. I really don't know that much about it, but want to get it cleaned up. Can anybody help me please? I do want to do the inside too, but it's the outside I'm more concerned about. I think it's wicker underneath, not sure
I collect these, Jane, and love them for not only room accents but also functionality (one for Christmas decorations, one for gift wrap and bags, one for board games ... you get my drift). They've come from various places and sources, one from an uncle who thought it pretty cool to add a coat of paint.
If you do anything to it, you will destroy it's value as an antique. Just use a soft cloth and elbow grease...no cleaning products.
Hi, sorry I think you have the wrong idea of what I meant 'restoring'. I want to keep the originality there as much as possible. I just want to know the best products to give it a little life again as it's pretty filthy.
Keep your old trunk as it is as much as you can tolerate. I would only dust it. Look for ways to lightly "clean" old wood or whatever material you think it is made from. I believe you can find your answer on Pinterest.com. If you do a lot of cleaning, you will devalue it. You sorta have to learn to like the dirt, I think. lol
Hi. I may be late to the party, but I thought I'd add my two cents(4 years late). There is a spray cleaner by Indigo Wild called Zum Clean Counter Cleaner. It is an all natural cleaner made with essential oils. I have used this cleaner to remove the dirt & grime from oil & acrylic paintings with great success.
Some purist collectors want an item as found, untouched. If you do not EVER plan on selling it, you might try a damp T-shirt rag and a small amount of Murphy's oil soap used sparingly on the cloth. Do NOT scrub. Experiment on the bottom where it won't show. Rinse gently with the damp T-shirt. This will NOT make it look brand new, it will still be an antique.
I have a trunk with bubble corner hardware on every corner. Every bubble is dented, but solidly still attached. Should I just clean them up or replace with new hardware.
It's a canvas trunk that's in pretty good shape, but has a broken lock and handles.I would compare prices of damaged trunks versus trunks in better condition, and the cost to get it in good condition. That will make the decision whether or not to repair clearer.
If it is a trunk with huge sentimental value and you are planning to use and love it, then I would fix it up. If you are thinking of fixing to resell, it would take a lot of research to find the true market value for sales and then figure out if a repair would increase or decrease the value. That is a whole other can of worms.
Post back with more info!!
I would replace the lock and handles.As for the corners just clean them up.It will give it a little character.
I found a old wardrobe trunk and would like to restore it. Unfortunately it is missing the drawers. Does any one know the best places to find replacement drawers?
You could try thrift stores. If it is old, it may not be manufactured anymore. You could also try to find someone to make a drawer.
How do I repair an old trunk? I want to try to save the canvas in between the slots.
By stew from NY
How can you clean a steamer trunk?
By Janice from Carlisle, IN
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I bought an old chest but don't know anything about it. I would like to restore it. It's quite damaged. Does anybody know what kind of chest it is, or where I should start?
I have an old trunk that was used by my grandparents when they came to the States from Newfoundland. The dimensions are approx. 32 in. wide x 20 in. deep x 22 in. high.
I am looking for tips/ideas on restoring the interior of a 100+ year old trunk that I got from my grandmother. It is the kind that ladies used to use to travel with, and my great-grandmother's sister used it to go to college.
