Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/23/2008

Question
Hi Eileen! I've obtained an old metal steamer trunk. No antique value, but want to use it for a storage box for my 10 year old daughter's keepsakes. The problem is two-fold. It has a very strong musty odor to it. The inner lining was cloth and was in bad disrepair, so I pulled it all out. What is left is a very thin layer of wood "shingles" almost.. very thin. I am afraid to get the inside wet with anything to get rid of the smell.. any alternatives to washing it out? Also, I would like to finish the inside again with something, but not sure what I should do.. I like the fabric idea, but what would I attach it with? Or should I line it with something else. I don't want to spend too much money on it, as it's not really worth anything.
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Melanie
Nice to hear from you.
These old trunks always have this smell..I know it well LOL.
A sure way to get rid of the smell without wetting the inside is to seal the wood.
You could use a simple method like rubbing on a couple of coats of tung oil with a rag.
The smallest tung oil will run around $7.00 and is enough to do this with some to spare.
Or if you have any extra paint around, a coat brushed on is fine too..and cheaper again if you have it already.
I like your fabric idea too Melanie and its quite simple really.
You take a measurement of the four sides (inside of course), and cut heavy bristol type board the same size.
Then you hot glue fabric to each individual piece of this board
You wrap the fabric around the bristol board and hot glue it an inch or so around the back. Do not use glue on the face of the fabric..just glue around the back edges.
Then you hot glue these fabric covered pieces inside the trunk.
Next measure the bottom and proceed the same..real easy.
And a great project.
Get back to me if this is not clear.
Kind Regards
Eileen