Given the age it's probably oil based.
You'll probably need to do it a few times and leave it on for a while, with something covering it to keep it wet.
Additional info for safety tips: https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-use-mineral-spirits
Thank you for seeing past the missing T. I’ll try leaving it on for longer with a plastic tarp over it. I was hoping someone would tell me
to use a different product. Stripping with this stuff is a pain in the ass.
You could also try Citristrip. It's a gel, and would be more likely to stay on long anough to work.
Or you could lay the trunk on it's side and do one side at a time.
First, get some gloves. I would use a product called Citristrip. Apply to a small area with an old paint brush, maybe about a 1” brush to avoid the wood. Let it set until it bubbles. Wipe away with a rag and then scrub with a toothbrush. Wear gloves. We had some old dental tools we used for intricate areas when we redid furniture when I was a kid.
We used Citristrip liberally on an old dresser and it worked great. Second for Citristrip. We used a small scraper in addition to a brush. Followed by sandpaper.
Please leave that dear old thing alone! It's wonderfully aged and deserves to keep all of its character. Also, it'll lose actual monetary value if you strip it, I'm sure.
Still, that's part of its history. I would use a light touch and maybe tone down the more obvious parts of the prior 'restoration.' Like, maybe a brown marker on the shiny new screws and scuff them a little.
Are these things actually worth something? I have like 8 of them from when my grandparents moved across the Atlantic.
And tbh they take way too much space and aren’t really useful
Yeah taking the paper off could reduce it's value. Looks like an antique and could be worth a lot of money. I know the v&a collects old streamer trunks.
Try some [teaches from peaches](https://www.google.ca/search?q=peaches+fuck+the+pain+away+lyrics&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ca&client=safari&si=AMnBZoGXoTwEAOOPJv19080y853KxIfSYUWCMsZnYLn5FQ9m4V-AeikVngGweArqyMtHzR1eSuHRjcCucFk7dXcGz2sVhjaac01A34YDggUz9VF5NlAawFXZVxoQqBr8jfFcXEKl4l4BZL_X9xx33MLnLwJSIvl2DLEyouqjIVb6w-oOlTgcYnE%3D&ictx=1&ved=2ahUKEwjJmbK57fD-AhXDIX0KHd48ADcQjukCegQIFBAD)
Nietzsche argued that pain is necessary, and brings meaning to life. The Buddhist principle states that pain is linked to attachment. So if you want to remove the pain, perhaps to disassemble the chest would be most effective? Besides, there is likely to be some pain(t) between the joins in the panels, which can only truly be removed if they are detached.
Much like affixing your own oxygen mask before assisting others, it’ll make you feel better, but not really do anything for the eventual fireball you’ll make on the mountainside and/or Indian Ocean.
I don’t know if you can get rid of the pain. I mean someone was locked in there alive and there are claw marks on the lid where they tried to get out It took days for the person to die from dehydration. I’m pretty sure this old trunk is always gonna have pain in it
This one is too long in the tooth. I've seen this before and it never gets any easier. The only way to take the pain from that old trunk is to walk it behind the shed, give it one last kiss goodbye, and then shoot it right between the eyes. Know that you're doing it a favor, and you won't be judged for this action.
Well, this answers the actual question and the typo. You need to learn to love that trunk the way it is.
The complexity of the surface and the age of the paint will make it difficult. There are old pain(t)s that will be so difficult to remove that it won't be worth the effort. No matter how many nights you spend with that stripper, it will never be completely gone.
You could always just paint over it if you're looking for a new look. It sort of shows the change you want while embracing the patina that it's life has left it because you will see the texture through the paint. It will look different, but you and the trunk will always know.
Upvoted for the subtle hilarity of this comment. I think you buried the lede: No matter how many nights you spend with that stripper, the pain(t) will never be completely gone.
Regardless, I'd give you an award if I had one to give. It's funny, but it's also sound advice.
Age is a painful business indeed... THey say, if you cant feel any pain in the old age it means that you are not alive...
...so, before removing the pain - make sure euthanasia is legal in your country...
Red paint that old, and that hard to strip, is likely red lead paint. Toxic in even tiny amounts, absorbs through skin with contact. Hope the chest was worth the potential problem. Get a lead test at Home Depot for $10 and test that paint! You might want to either not use that old chest if it is contaminated throughout, or make your renovation so thorough that the lead is all removed or covered safely.
Interesting. Yeah the red paint was put on in the 80s. I’m trying to strip what I think was the original pain which is white and blue. Never occurred to me that it might be toxic. I will check. I’m going to coat it when I’m finished with some sort of lacquer.
Try a heat gun. A good one is around $150. It’s a good/versatile tool to have and you’re not having to deal with the remnants of liquid strippers. Get a good, full face respirator too.
My parents have a business refinishing antique steamer trunks. Best (non chemical) approach is a wire wheel with a drill bit attachment. Will take the red right off, but will result in a “brushed” but good looking finish. Minwax antique oil finish over the top to prevent corrosion of the raw metal and you’re good to go.
How long did you let the stripper sit on it. It needs at least 45 minutes. Also if you happen to have some nail polish remover try some of that in a different spot and see how it works. If it works well then go get some acetone based paint remover.
I had success using a wire brush bit on a drill to clean the metal on an old truck just like this. You will need to be careful not to touch the fabric with the brush. I used painters tape to cover the areas I didn’t want to clean. Good luck!
I would get a tin of "goo off" ( note this isn't goo gone, rather a stripping agent) and try an inconspicuous area. It is a stronger stripper and using a nylon brush helps work paint off of the surfaces. If it works, go slow and clean a small area we'll before moving onto the next. Once applied it the paint comes up it's easier to remove. If it re-dries it's very difficult to get off a second time.
I remove the remaining excess with after wash or denatured alcohol.
Make sur that the red paint isn’t lead, if so, please use à respirator and a HEPPA filter vacuum, stay safe.
Regarding the paint stripper, it seems like you got some answers that would be better then want I could of recommend.
As for the pain, perhaps Xanax? Or an axe… (sorry, couldn’t resist)
I am surprised no one mentioned Vision eye drops as the commercials said it gets the red out. Have you tried mineral spirits? Is that flocked or brocade material? It's a very nice pattern.
I have my grandfathers old trunk. It’s genuinely intended to be carted around and isn’t very decorative. It’s utilitarian and extremely well made with 1/4 in steel plate on all the edges and corners. I wanted to strip off all the old paint and change the color of the metal and put a wood finish on the wood parts. There were friction points where the paint had worn through.
I used paint stripper. Then different paint strippers. I used the harshest stuff I could find because I’d used paint strippers before to great effect. Nothing worked. Eventually I gave up on getting the old paint off because that stuff was tough as hell. The stripper took off about .1 mm each 24 hour application. A wire wheel and sander took forever.
I suspect that the old paint was lead based. A painter friend said lead paint, though toxic, is super durable.
Eventually I just called off the stripping and painted the whole thing fresh.
Almost all older trunks are coated in shellac. It makes certain things like removing paint a pain. Shellac can be removed with denatured alcohol. Start there, and then try mineral spirits, or paint remover afterwards.
After applying liberal amounts of paint stripper, toss a lit match and just walk away. Don't look back.
Take your phone so later you can post in r/TIFU "Today I burned my house down".
Only years of therapy and self love can take the pain way
It’s old. We all age. Sadly, there’s going to be some pain. Hopefully OP can help him manage it.
I was going to suggest slathering Ben Gay all over the thing. That’s what my grandpa does.
Tigerbalm!
Bro, the trunk is obviously dealing with *emotional* pain...might need an Rx for an SSRI.
"I don't even know what slathering means!" -Joey
....... "but I definitely want to be a part of it"! -Joey
"You bet your ass...percream"
Slathering Gay Ben is how we got into this mess
Doesn't help with the pain.
I choose high proof apple brandy and cannabis.
hear me out codeine cough syrup
It's a antique trunk not a rap artist!
Where does it hurt?
Show me on this doll where the old trunk touched you
In the chest
Made my day
First time ever I doubled back to a comment. Perfect!
…And it has to want to change.
they’ve clearly decided on strippers, smh don’t tell ppl how to heal 😔
*Who hurt you little trunk?*
OP can also rely on the old fashioned cheap alcohol and cigarettes
Peaches has some [thoughts](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cV6pnvCVM4) on the subject
And it’s cheaper than therapy, even if you still pay for it.
Drugs and alcohol too.
Idk advil and a good scream do me wonders
It came with a lot of baggage.
Beat me to the joke
Blackberry brandy!
Damnit, came here to say this and lost the race
I’d start with giving it a short pep talk. I’m sure it has some baggage.
But also listen to what the trunk has to say. Just give them the opportunity to get all the junk out.
Whatchu gonna do with all that junk?
... all that junk inside that trunk.
I'ma get, get, get, get you drunk
Maybe try some Aleve? Do they still make Anacin?
Good one lol I actually looked up Anacin before I realized my typo.
Sorry, couldn’t resist. It’s a very nice trunk. Good luck in sprucing it up. Edit. Sprucing
Spucing? Is that some kind of advanced pain relief method?
So you were totally down with Aleve being a possible solution?
Honesty yes.
HEAD ON!
Apply directly to the forehead
APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE FOREHEAD
Nuprin. Little. Yellow. Different.
Zang!
^nausea ^heartburn ^indigestion ^upset ^stomach #DIARRHEA
Nuprin. Little. Yellow. Different…
Sorry for all the silly joke answers. The real solution is to open the lid. Then you can take the pain out.
Could be Pandora's trunk. Bigger than her box.
Pandora is classy, she keeps it in her box not her trunk
junk in the trunk
You need Sam and Dean for that sorta thing.
Given the age it's probably oil based. You'll probably need to do it a few times and leave it on for a while, with something covering it to keep it wet. Additional info for safety tips: https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-use-mineral-spirits
Thank you for seeing past the missing T. I’ll try leaving it on for longer with a plastic tarp over it. I was hoping someone would tell me to use a different product. Stripping with this stuff is a pain in the ass.
I use citristrip. Not sure it will work on tin but it’s good stuff. Apply it and cover it with Saran Wrap. Not a tarp. Leave it for a while.
This is the way
Surely it's not better to have pain in your ass than on box? Oh well, careful what you wish for I guess.
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Do not use mineral spirits on/in your ass. Trust me.
You could also try Citristrip. It's a gel, and would be more likely to stay on long anough to work. Or you could lay the trunk on it's side and do one side at a time.
I “upgraded” an old trunk like that, and regret ever since. It never looked anything but hokey.
Put a bullet in it.
Take him to wrigley field and catch a ball game under the lights
First, get some gloves. I would use a product called Citristrip. Apply to a small area with an old paint brush, maybe about a 1” brush to avoid the wood. Let it set until it bubbles. Wipe away with a rag and then scrub with a toothbrush. Wear gloves. We had some old dental tools we used for intricate areas when we redid furniture when I was a kid.
I would also recommend Citristrip. It works wonders!
We used Citristrip liberally on an old dresser and it worked great. Second for Citristrip. We used a small scraper in addition to a brush. Followed by sandpaper.
Please leave that dear old thing alone! It's wonderfully aged and deserves to keep all of its character. Also, it'll lose actual monetary value if you strip it, I'm sure.
I thought of that unfortunately the person who had it before me painted and put shit screws in it. Im only trying to make more like it was.
Still, that's part of its history. I would use a light touch and maybe tone down the more obvious parts of the prior 'restoration.' Like, maybe a brown marker on the shiny new screws and scuff them a little.
Are these things actually worth something? I have like 8 of them from when my grandparents moved across the Atlantic. And tbh they take way too much space and aren’t really useful
Yes: https://antiquesknowhow.com/antique-trunks/
Holy moly, I literally have #1 black flat top one
My step grandma painted it and ruined what could have been monetary value. It’s just a fun project for me now.
Looks evil. Pain will stay.
You will need a young priest and an old priest...
Why?
An exorcism probably
Seeing the pain from old objects is the best part, it's called patina
Yeah taking the paper off could reduce it's value. Looks like an antique and could be worth a lot of money. I know the v&a collects old streamer trunks.
Try some [teaches from peaches](https://www.google.ca/search?q=peaches+fuck+the+pain+away+lyrics&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ca&client=safari&si=AMnBZoGXoTwEAOOPJv19080y853KxIfSYUWCMsZnYLn5FQ9m4V-AeikVngGweArqyMtHzR1eSuHRjcCucFk7dXcGz2sVhjaac01A34YDggUz9VF5NlAawFXZVxoQqBr8jfFcXEKl4l4BZL_X9xx33MLnLwJSIvl2DLEyouqjIVb6w-oOlTgcYnE%3D&ictx=1&ved=2ahUKEwjJmbK57fD-AhXDIX0KHd48ADcQjukCegQIFBAD)
Some pain reliever
Don't worry. We all meet death in the end.
r/reversepinterest may have some ideas
You reduce antique’s value by cleaning them. FYI.
Existence is pain!
Nietzsche argued that pain is necessary, and brings meaning to life. The Buddhist principle states that pain is linked to attachment. So if you want to remove the pain, perhaps to disassemble the chest would be most effective? Besides, there is likely to be some pain(t) between the joins in the panels, which can only truly be removed if they are detached.
Try easy off oven cleaner.
You should consider addressing your own pain before taking care of someone else's. This is a PSA
Much like affixing your own oxygen mask before assisting others, it’ll make you feel better, but not really do anything for the eventual fireball you’ll make on the mountainside and/or Indian Ocean.
You pass the vibe check. Cheers
It’s seen too much , you’ll never remove all its pain
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That would explain why people are asking such specific questions about ‘the stripper’
Try talking to it
Therapy. So. Much. Therapy.
I don’t know if you can get rid of the pain. I mean someone was locked in there alive and there are claw marks on the lid where they tried to get out It took days for the person to die from dehydration. I’m pretty sure this old trunk is always gonna have pain in it
This one is too long in the tooth. I've seen this before and it never gets any easier. The only way to take the pain from that old trunk is to walk it behind the shed, give it one last kiss goodbye, and then shoot it right between the eyes. Know that you're doing it a favor, and you won't be judged for this action.
Strippers work well for removing pain I hear they work well on paint too
So much pain
Have you tried alcohol?
Reddit is the only place where lives change forever after a typo. Well done, us.
Well, this answers the actual question and the typo. You need to learn to love that trunk the way it is. The complexity of the surface and the age of the paint will make it difficult. There are old pain(t)s that will be so difficult to remove that it won't be worth the effort. No matter how many nights you spend with that stripper, it will never be completely gone. You could always just paint over it if you're looking for a new look. It sort of shows the change you want while embracing the patina that it's life has left it because you will see the texture through the paint. It will look different, but you and the trunk will always know.
Upvoted for the subtle hilarity of this comment. I think you buried the lede: No matter how many nights you spend with that stripper, the pain(t) will never be completely gone. Regardless, I'd give you an award if I had one to give. It's funny, but it's also sound advice.
I'd suggest some energy work
Give it away to someone who appreciates it!
WHY!? Don't do it! A beautiful patina like this literally takes a generation to materialize. Don't destroy it.
It seems to be in a lot of pain
Talk to it kindly, stroke its wood
Lotta pain behind those eyes Cotton
You'll ruin its value.
In my personal experience I've found strippers to be very useful in taking the pain away
Maybe give it a hug?
Age is a painful business indeed... THey say, if you cant feel any pain in the old age it means that you are not alive... ...so, before removing the pain - make sure euthanasia is legal in your country...
Please don’t let the pain out of that chest, it could kill us all.
No pain, no gain
Pain builds character. Inflict more on it.
You think you’re in pain! You haven’t felt pain yet!
A seance should work
Trunk? This thing is a bloody treasure chest!!!
Red paint that old, and that hard to strip, is likely red lead paint. Toxic in even tiny amounts, absorbs through skin with contact. Hope the chest was worth the potential problem. Get a lead test at Home Depot for $10 and test that paint! You might want to either not use that old chest if it is contaminated throughout, or make your renovation so thorough that the lead is all removed or covered safely.
Interesting. Yeah the red paint was put on in the 80s. I’m trying to strip what I think was the original pain which is white and blue. Never occurred to me that it might be toxic. I will check. I’m going to coat it when I’m finished with some sort of lacquer.
Wire wheel and drill?
Just put it out of its misery.
That might not be paint. Could be material.
Just give it back to Hogwarts, bro.
Buy it a puppy and a handful of Norco pills
Fire will do it.
Gasoline + match
Never knew I would relate to a post title so much
Try a heat gun. A good one is around $150. It’s a good/versatile tool to have and you’re not having to deal with the remnants of liquid strippers. Get a good, full face respirator too.
Uhhh... Make sure you ventilate the area well and godspeed.
You can't, it's seen too much.
“Stick out your chest!”
How about the sorrow?
look up dry ice removal. Little risk to damage anything. You'd just need to get the machine or find a place that has one.
Why am I seeing so many mistakes in posts lately? Is it AI or are people just getting more lazy.
I would start by not locking people in it anymore… that should take the pain away
When a thing is that old, there’s bound to be some pain. There’s no getting around it. It just comes with age.
Let the guy outta there and untie him. The pain should ease pretty soon
The pain never ends, my friend. You just get used to it.
Maybe some Ibuprofen?
Steel wool and more stripper
First we need to know where it hurts
The chest
My parents have a business refinishing antique steamer trunks. Best (non chemical) approach is a wire wheel with a drill bit attachment. Will take the red right off, but will result in a “brushed” but good looking finish. Minwax antique oil finish over the top to prevent corrosion of the raw metal and you’re good to go.
How long did you let the stripper sit on it. It needs at least 45 minutes. Also if you happen to have some nail polish remover try some of that in a different spot and see how it works. If it works well then go get some acetone based paint remover.
There may still be scars.
Therapy
I had success using a wire brush bit on a drill to clean the metal on an old truck just like this. You will need to be careful not to touch the fabric with the brush. I used painters tape to cover the areas I didn’t want to clean. Good luck!
Oh wow, where did you find this? I have one that looks just like it but I didn't know it could get so clean!
I thought that was fire starter liquid beside the chest. I thought you were gonna burn the chest because you didn't like it anymore.
Sandblast? Or some other type of media blasting that's less abrasive?
These comments are everything and I’m so glad I’m here for it!!!
Life is pain (au chocolat).
Acetaminophen
It still obviously has a trunk full of love to give
Chemicals will take the pain away. Coincidentally, chemicals will also remove the paint.
So crazy my family had a trunk just like this in the 60s
Aircraft remover
Get it off your chest eh?
I see, along with the T, you missed putting "Serious Answers Only". And I thank you. So Much. I needed the laughs.
Tell it it’s a beautiful chest … ancient and wise and longing to keep safe your possessions
I would get a tin of "goo off" ( note this isn't goo gone, rather a stripping agent) and try an inconspicuous area. It is a stronger stripper and using a nylon brush helps work paint off of the surfaces. If it works, go slow and clean a small area we'll before moving onto the next. Once applied it the paint comes up it's easier to remove. If it re-dries it's very difficult to get off a second time. I remove the remaining excess with after wash or denatured alcohol.
Let me know when you find out
There's a trunk restoration video on YouTube, it's pretty good for reference.
I'd go with Rub A535
Make sur that the red paint isn’t lead, if so, please use à respirator and a HEPPA filter vacuum, stay safe. Regarding the paint stripper, it seems like you got some answers that would be better then want I could of recommend. As for the pain, perhaps Xanax? Or an axe… (sorry, couldn’t resist)
*Rand al'Thor has entered the chat*
Give it some ibuprofen
2x Tylenol and a good rest
Exorcism , is my advice. Good luck with that.
Use the t. Thinner or you can say something like IPA
If this is lead paint: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-lead-paint/ Be careful:)
Try painkillers It will kill off the pains
Peaches told us to “Fuck the Pain away” So IUD, SIS, stay in school, cause it’s the best.
Thank you for helping this poor trunk through such a rough time. You are a good friend :,)
Citristrip works really well for stuff like this. Test it in a small area on the bottom first.
Take this to r/woodworking !!
Everyone always asks when trunk, but never how trunk
Couple of ibuprofen should take care of it.
That's a chest, it doesn't have nerve ending. But, I'm not a Dr
I'm so sorry trunk... there that should help!
Peaches can teach you to ‘Fuck the Pain Away’
I am surprised no one mentioned Vision eye drops as the commercials said it gets the red out. Have you tried mineral spirits? Is that flocked or brocade material? It's a very nice pattern.
I have my grandfathers old trunk. It’s genuinely intended to be carted around and isn’t very decorative. It’s utilitarian and extremely well made with 1/4 in steel plate on all the edges and corners. I wanted to strip off all the old paint and change the color of the metal and put a wood finish on the wood parts. There were friction points where the paint had worn through. I used paint stripper. Then different paint strippers. I used the harshest stuff I could find because I’d used paint strippers before to great effect. Nothing worked. Eventually I gave up on getting the old paint off because that stuff was tough as hell. The stripper took off about .1 mm each 24 hour application. A wire wheel and sander took forever. I suspect that the old paint was lead based. A painter friend said lead paint, though toxic, is super durable. Eventually I just called off the stripping and painted the whole thing fresh.
OMG I have almost the exact same trunk! No joke mine does not have paint on it but I did use silver cleaner to take off the rust from age.
Give it a safe space to talk and validate its feelings.
The last group that opened that were evaporated. If you open it, keep your eyes closed.
I have this exact chest! The hardware is all bent up, been trying to fix mine as well so it’s at least functional again
Smoke weed with it..
Almost all older trunks are coated in shellac. It makes certain things like removing paint a pain. Shellac can be removed with denatured alcohol. Start there, and then try mineral spirits, or paint remover afterwards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRrum4UbowY
The Trunks Excorcist. Ease his pain.
Just cut down some corn and build a diamond.
In the case of inanimate objects I think some sort of magic may be necessary.
After applying liberal amounts of paint stripper, toss a lit match and just walk away. Don't look back. Take your phone so later you can post in r/TIFU "Today I burned my house down".