Clean with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Replace trim that is damaged beyond control.Remove rust from tin surfaces with a wire wheel, used on an electric drill or sandpaper, and then buff with steel wool. In this how to video we cover the basics of common restoration techniques including; How to remove the lid from your antique trunk By cleaning the inside of old paper or canvas and tender washing, sanding and varnishing, a steamer trunk can look like it's never been used.Scrape old paper from the inside of the steamer trunk with a putty knife and remove excess glue, using a spray bottle with water and vinegar mixture.Use a soft cloth with a water and mild bleach solution to remove any mildew or mold. If the paper is too hard to scrape, try dampening it with a sponge.

Replace the nails.Inspect the outside of the trunk for any damage, especially wood trim. Clean metal antique trunks with a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle.

Scrape old paper from the inside of the steamer trunk with a putty knife and remove excess glue, using a spray bottle with water and vinegar mixture. Removing the paper from the inside of an antique trunk is very easy but messy.

Step 2 Most steamer trunks have tin on the exterior and wood slats. old trunk in poor condition needs work, would like to remove paper covering and replace hardware.The only paper coverings I could find where on the inside of the trunk. If preferred, lightly sand and stain instead of replacing the paper.Cut pieces of wallpaper to fit, leaving about 1/2 inch extra, and reline the ends.

You can stain and finish the wood for a nice look. Simply grab some paper towels and spray alcohol on the residue. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Step 4 Prop the trunk open and allow it to air dry completely.

Most steamer trunks have tin on the exterior and wood slats. Old steamer trunks make great coffee tables or storage for linen and towels. Close the lid and let the vinegar deodorize the trunk for a few days.

If it still smells old and musty, place a small bowl of white vinegar inside it.

The vast majority of trunks were lined in paper and the then glued to the interior of the trunk. Nine times out of ten alcohol will suffice to remove the residue. Finish the canvas by covering it with polyurethane.Use paint close to the original color of the steamer trunk, usually dark brown or black and gold. I said dampen it - don't soak it with the garden hose.

Steamers usually need some cleaning or restoration. Steamer trunks can be relined with cedar or plain paper.Antique steamer trunks are increasingly popular items purchased at auctions or antique shops and used as storage for linens, towels or CDs. Some steamer trunks were covered in canvas, and the canvas was covered with a clear coating for waterproofing. Most of it came off quite easily. During the 19 th and early 20 th century organic glue called wheat paste was used to adhere the paper into the interior of the trunk.. thanks, for the suggestion, I may decide on this solution, still investigating. Do the same with locks and corner pieces.Use a gloss or satin black paint on the tin after sanding, and finish with a clear coat of shellac or polyurethane to help prevent rusting.Reattach canvas, if it is just loose, with plain glue.

With more aggressive residue …

Use a sponge to sponge the paint onto the trunk.Kathy Eastwood is an avid freelance writer and works full time as a photojournalist for a weekly tabloid at West Point, N.Y. She has over seven years experience in writing professionally and in writing Web content.

Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Gently clean paper lined trunk interiors by spraying the vinegar solution on your cleaning cloth and carefully wiping down the interior.

old trunk in poor condition needs work, would like to remove paper covering and replace hardware. Use a putty knife to remove old paper from the inside of a steamer trunk. Use oil soap on wood trim to clean and then use a clear varnish.

If it is glued down solid and not lifting at all you could use chalk paint to paint over it. I was able to tear off all the paper covering because it was lifting. Do the front and back before the bottom and top.Remove damaged nails with pliers or use the tack lifter to pry the head of trunk nails.

Use a putty knife to remove old paper from the inside of a steamer trunk. Why your old antique steamer trunk smells.

It is best to wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands while removing the paper.

Made during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, steamer trunks contained the possessions and toiletries travelers used during long voyages on passenger ships.

Is this the inside or outside that you are referring to?both the inside and the outside are covered in the original paper in poor conditionI also have an old trunk that needed a lot of work. Let the steamer dry in the sun if possible for four or five hours.Replace the old paper with wallpaper in a similar design. If you dampened the liner paper to remove it be sure the wood dries thoroughly before you apply stain or finish. She attended New Paltz College in New Paltz, N.Y. Replace if the canvas is not repairable and use the old canvas as a pattern.