Posted 8 years ago
Lbell123
(1 item)
I just got this trunk last night and I love it just the way it is! It was an incredible deal I picked up locally from an older man moving out of his house. I am Canadian so I especially love that it has a Canadian (as well as American) stickers.
I want to use it as a coffee table and have three kids. How can I protect it? I'm mostly concerned about spills wrecking the paper labels. I don't care if it gets more scratches, adds patina, right? What is the best medium to coat it with? Could I leave the wood and do mod podge over the stickers (is that a crazy idea?)? Poly or tung oil the whole thing (would that ruin the stickers)?
Any idea of the age too?
I don't like to change the finish on vintage items. I would find a glass shop and have them make a glass top to cover it. Would cost $10-$20.
I called around to glass companies yesterday and I think that's what I'm going to do. I don't really want to change the finish either. Thanks
Lbell123,
Beautiful flat top trunk!! If you want to just give it a good cleaning and sealing, I'd recommend cleaning it with Magic Erasers and sealing the canvas covering with a bee's wax based furniture polish. I do not recommend using polyurethane or tung oil on the canvas covering. I've restored many and have found that doesn't work well on canvas coverings.
Howard's Feed Wax, or any good bee's wax based furniture polish will seal the canvas and keep it looking great. I treat all of mine every couple of months and I think you'll be pleased.
A good coat of mink oil on the handles, regularly, will make the leather handles supple once again and keep them from further deteriorating.
Nice find and good luck on cleaning your beautiful trunk!!
Scott