Trunk Refinished!
It's getting to be "that time of year" again, when the odd jobs need to be addressed because once it snows it will be impossible to do them outside! Anything to do with paint or sanding is really an outside job not only because of the mess but also the smell!
I finished all the sanding on the wood ribs. I started with 200 grit to really reduce the rough spots and then finished with 400 grit to make them all satiny smooth so there won't be any more "catching" of fingers, fabric or fiber! Then I used a good quality Danish Oil to re-hydrate it since it was powder dry. I think what I like best is that because the wood is old it already has a dark patina with lots of character and the wood didn't sand down to a new-looking blonde color. It has that been-there-done-that look to it that really holds it's own next to the tin. Speaking of which, it was quite rusty in places but fortunately it was only surface rust that marred the surface but didn't really go any deeper than that. I washed it, then sanded it before using a rag to apply a matte black Tremclad. What a difference! The tremclad even covered the grey paint that had been spilled on it, much to my relief! (I mean really - who could own a gorgeous trunk like this and keep it in a place where that could happen - and not even wipe it off? Someone who would sell it, I guess! Lucky me!)
My favorite part next to the humped lid is the embossed metal. I ragged it with Tremclad, then used a clean rag to buff the raised parts. I meant they still got the benefit from the oily elements of the tremclad but not the pigment so they stand out as a shiny silver against a bumpy black background. It really was my "feel good" for the weekend! Then I did a really non-traditional thing - I attached sturdy rubber castors to the bottom so now no matter what goes into it I can always move it around without it scratching any of the wood floors! Then I cut aromatic cedar boards to line the bottom and filled it with fiber stash! So although weight is not likely to be an issue, mobility has been well taken care of! Cheers all!
I finished all the sanding on the wood ribs. I started with 200 grit to really reduce the rough spots and then finished with 400 grit to make them all satiny smooth so there won't be any more "catching" of fingers, fabric or fiber! Then I used a good quality Danish Oil to re-hydrate it since it was powder dry. I think what I like best is that because the wood is old it already has a dark patina with lots of character and the wood didn't sand down to a new-looking blonde color. It has that been-there-done-that look to it that really holds it's own next to the tin. Speaking of which, it was quite rusty in places but fortunately it was only surface rust that marred the surface but didn't really go any deeper than that. I washed it, then sanded it before using a rag to apply a matte black Tremclad. What a difference! The tremclad even covered the grey paint that had been spilled on it, much to my relief! (I mean really - who could own a gorgeous trunk like this and keep it in a place where that could happen - and not even wipe it off? Someone who would sell it, I guess! Lucky me!)
My favorite part next to the humped lid is the embossed metal. I ragged it with Tremclad, then used a clean rag to buff the raised parts. I meant they still got the benefit from the oily elements of the tremclad but not the pigment so they stand out as a shiny silver against a bumpy black background. It really was my "feel good" for the weekend! Then I did a really non-traditional thing - I attached sturdy rubber castors to the bottom so now no matter what goes into it I can always move it around without it scratching any of the wood floors! Then I cut aromatic cedar boards to line the bottom and filled it with fiber stash! So although weight is not likely to be an issue, mobility has been well taken care of! Cheers all!
Posted by Gloria Patre at 11/1/2011 11:06 PM 
Categories: Other Projects
Tags: refinishing antique trunk
Categories: Other Projects
Tags: refinishing antique trunk
Your trunk came out just lovely! I have several of my own to attack eventually, so I'm keeping your project notes for when I can finally get to them. =)
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I love it! What an awesome job you did it looks fantastic. The cedar and the addition of fibre-y goodness are like a sweet filling to a yummy cake!
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You did a wonderful job! It looks amazing.
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The trunk is beautiful! If I had the room, I would be hunting down one for myself. I love how you "repurposed" it and the rubber wheels on the bottom is a great idea! I do wish you'd shown the inside with the cedar strips. Filled with precious fiber is the best.
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It looks great Monica.
What a lovely old trunk
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The trunk is beautiful! I am sooo jealous!
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