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My Metal Covered Flattop Trunk

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toolate2's loves963 of 6254Interior of a Trunk I Posted EarlierSmall Leather Covered Trunk
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    Posted 10 years ago

    jscott0363
    (903 items)

    My wife brought this home to me thinking it was canvas covered. Turned out to be metal covered embossed to look like canvas. I never really understood why they would emboss metal to look like canvas. Why not just cover it in canvas?
    Anyway, I cleaned it, replaced the straps and handles. The original interior and tray are there and in very nice condition (unfortunately it still has that "Old" smell in it). It's not anything special, but just a very nice size trunk for storage. We use it to store our Christmas decorations in.
    Anyone have any suggestions on how to rid the trunk of that smell, short of stripping the nice looking interior out and coating it w/polyurethane? I'd really rather not have to do that.

    Thanks for looking!!
    Scott

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    Comments

    1. Jewels Jewels, 10 years ago
      I have heard cat litter, coffee beans, baking soda; probably doesnt work though :)
    2. jscott0363 jscott0363, 10 years ago
      Thanks Jewels!! I'm willing to try anything. I just don't want to scrap the original interior. Someone told me to try dyer sheets. That only mask the smell for a short period of time. Doesn't work. Thanks for your suggestions. I think I'll try at least one of them (the baking soda perhaps) and let you know how it worked.
    3. Jewels Jewels, 10 years ago
      Oh awesome, that would be great! Funny because I saw a trunk over the summer at a sale and I skipped it because of "that" odor. I did try the coffee beans in a vintage suitcase and now it smells like old and coffee beans :) Someone also said direct hot sunlight and fresh air :)
    4. hmsantiquetrunks.com hmsantiquetrunks.com, 10 years ago
      I have found that most of the smell resides in the paper. The only way to get rid of the smell is to remove the paper. If you really want to keep the paper, you can coat it with a Tung oil like finish product such as Formbys. I use it on newly applied interior trim to "age" or "tone down" the look of the newly printed trim. It will soak in your paper, darken it slightly, and seal the odor in for the most part. It is not like using Poly.
      Jim
      hmsantiquetrunks.com
    5. jscott0363 jscott0363, 10 years ago
      Thanks you Jim!! I will try that method. I'm not concerned about darkening the paper, as no one will really ever see it and I'm not looking for a Better Homes and Gardens award. I just want to use it for storage, if possible. I have some Formbys tung oil in my shop. Thanks much!!
    6. jscott0363 jscott0363, 10 years ago
      Thanks PatSea!! I did not know that onion would absorb odors, but I cannot wait to try that. Thanks again!!!
    7. Drill Drill, 10 years ago
      Marvin Miller had recommended using artists- clear( Spray)Matte finish on lithographs in the past,This was great advise for me. I now use that on any paper I wish to keep, it only darkens the paper slightly when applied, after a day or two it returns to almost original color ,it's non yellowing ,fast drying,crystal clear protective finish.(Rust-oleum Matte Finish for decroative products)The smell of the old paper virtually eliminated.
      If the interior is linen or fabric lined(canvas exteriors as well)
      I will use Oxy-clean carpet cleaner,A fan or wet shop vac to dry the interior or the sun,and wind on nice days. I have also used baby powder on white linen and vacuumed out any excess. I do keep pieces of cedar wood in my trunks,or po pouri long term. Good luck with the many ideas presented on this forum.
    8. jscott0363 jscott0363, 10 years ago
      Thanks Drill! I have a small can of red cedar oil. I had considered wiping a very light coat of that onto the existing lining. I've used that in musty smelling antique chest of drawers and it worked great (if you love the smell of fresh cut red cedar, which I do).
    9. fortapache fortapache, 10 years ago
      I use Arm and Hammer Carpet Fresh on various stinky stuff. Cheap and easy to use.
    10. jscott0363 jscott0363, 10 years ago
      Thanks fortapache!!
    11. jscott0363 jscott0363, 10 years ago
      Thanks for the loves everyone!!
    12. Caperkid, 9 years ago
      Your collection is soooo cool! How many trucks do you have? You sell them too or are they all in the castle?
    13. jscott0363 jscott0363, 9 years ago
      Caperkid, I've collected for several years now. I guess the most I've ever had on hand at any one time was probably 40. I've sold off quite a few of them, but I still have about 12 trunks, 15 or more hat trunks and a half dozen antique top hats and cases. They are all scattered about the "Castle" at this point.
      Thanks for the love, the kind comment and for stopping by. Very much appreciated!!!
    14. Caperkid, 9 years ago
      Your welcome jscott cheers.
    15. jscott0363 jscott0363, 9 years ago
      chrissylovescats,
      Thanks for the love and for stopping by. Merry Christmas!!!
      Scott
    16. RichmondLori RichmondLori, 3 years ago
      hey Scott - try the DAMP-RID system, it takes moisture out of the air/materials. might work on that "old" smell. Lori
    17. jscott0363 jscott0363, 3 years ago
      Jenni,
      Phil
      and
      vcal
      Thank you all very much for the loves and for stopping in!!

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