How to protect old antique trunk?

[buh_buh]

I just bought an old army trunk from an antique store I'm planning on using as a coffee table, and the wood is in pretty bad shape, which adds to its visual appeal, but isn't good for everyday use. What can I coat it with to protect it? I'd rather not paint over it, and the paint that's currently on it is probably 50 years old. Here's pic of trunk for reference. I'd like for it to look the same or similar if possible.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u178/buhx2/b9827882.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u178/buhx2/4378eb37.jpg

[sputnik]

I would just leave it as is.

Maybe just sand of the worst edges so that people don't snag their clothes on it.

[codetrap]

Why not have a nice beveled glass top made for it, one that sticks out over the side by a couple of inches?

[buh_buh]

Well, the wood is all dried out, and I'd rather put some sort of coating on it to prolong the trunk than just leave it as is. I'm worried after my feet up on it a few times I'll put my foot right through the top of it. I wouldn't say its fragile now, but can see it breaking apart further if I let the wood continue to dry out. From what I've read, I can put varnish or polyurethane on it? Anyone know whether either of those will work?

As for the glass, I'm just not a fan of glasstop tables, and I'd prefer to keep the trunk the way it is, especially since I can still open it and put remotes and other junk inside the trunk.

[sputnik]

A couple coats of a satin varethane might do the trick.

I would just go with something that has a lower shine so that it doesn't look to "glossy".

[z24_wheels]

Sand rough edges, light coat of linseed oil.

[barmanjay]

Lemon oil works too

smells nice, but may soak up alot till you start getting a bit of a shine

[buh_buh]

How much protection would linseed or lemon oil provide?
I don't mind putting in a bit of extra work if it'll provide more protection for the wood.

[thrasher22]

Originally posted by codetrap
Why not have a nice beveled glass top made for it, one that sticks out over the side by a couple of inches?

That's what we did, but with plexi-glass. I think it looks good and you don't have to worry about having drunk friends spilling on it. If you go this route I'd recommend cutting the glass the same size or taller than the trunk so you don't bump into it as you walk around.

[Mibz]

Get a new phone you cheap son of a bitch.

[buh_buh]

Originally posted by Mibz
Get a new phone you cheap son of a bitch. .
EzSi7i2ioF0

[project240]

I wouldn't use a polyurethane or varathane on something like that. I'd personally use BLO (boiled linseed oil) or Tung Oil. 3 coats of something like this...

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=20050&cat=1,190,42942

followed by a paste wax to help seal in the oil.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=20091&cat=1,190,42950&ap=1

Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours (allow the oil to soak into the wood overnight before wax) and reapply a light coat of wax every 6 months to 1 year.

This is assuming the wood is currently unfinished... can't tell 100% from the picture.

[barmanjay]

Buy a small tin of circa 1860 lemon oil at Rona and try it on the underside

I use that stuff on my 1870 grand piano

The piano looks amazing every time I oil it now.

[tirebob]

Originally posted by project240
I wouldn't use a polyurethane or varathane on something like that. I'd personally use BLO (boiled linseed oil) or Tung Oil. 3 coats of something like this...

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=20050&cat=1,190,42942

followed by a paste wax to help seal in the oil.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=20091&cat=1,190,42950&ap=1

Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours (allow the oil to soak into the wood overnight before wax) and reapply a light coat of wax every 6 months to 1 year.

This is assuming the wood is currently unfinished... can't tell 100% from the picture.

This! BLO... I use that shit on everything! Oh wait... That's Frank's...

Seriously though, boiled linseed oil finishes wood very nicely, and the paste wax seals everything. That said, if this thing is 50 years old, the wood is not going to get much drier than it already is, especially if it has been sitting in Calgary for a long time. If it is painted I probably wouldn't do anything but some paste wax...

[ExtraSlow]

As has been said above, Oil it only. No urethane.

[buh_buh]

I'll give one of the oils a try. Ill try the paste as well this weekend. Thanks all.

[project240]

Originally posted by tirebob


If it is painted I probably wouldn't do anything but some paste wax...

:thumbsup:

Agreed.

[buh_buh]

If its extremely old paint, still no oils? Just straight paste wax?

[z24_wheels]

I see unpainted portions, oil those. Wax everything.

[Hallowed_point]

Murphy's oil..the janitors at work use it on all the hardwood and I really like the smell, it's very old timey :D

[BensonTT]

Thats pretty ugly!

[big A]

Originally posted by barmanjay
Buy a small tin of circa 1860 lemon oil at Rona and try it on the underside

I use that stuff on my 1870 grand piano

The piano looks amazing every time I oil it now.

WOW post up a pic of that thing, or start a " Need more piano discussion " thread. I will add my upright Grand 1906.:hijack: