The Energon Pub

I have a nonTransformers project and wanted to get tips from experts on how to remove old stickers safely and then put them back on.

I am refinishing a steamer trunk 100+ years old. I want to remove the old travel stickers that are on the outside canvas temporarily so I can paint the canvas. Once done, put them back on. What are some suggestions on how to remove the stickers safely and reapply them?

Thanks,

I would imagine spraying them down with soapy warm water would allow them to slide off once they were thoroughly soaked. I believe the same route is taken with the removal of wall paper in some instances. I wouldn't recommend anything stronger than that given that you're trying to preserve them. Have you had the trunk appraised? Do you have pics? I ask because my wife inherited an old steam trunk as well and it too is well over 100 years old. It needs to be professionally restored though I think she would like to sell it. I haven't done research on it yet and am curious if you have suggestions. Thanks and good luck with your project!

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried water and then alcohol and neither helped. In speaking with a trunk specialist, they said the only other way was to cut the canvas around it, lift it off, paint the trunk and then glue it back in place. But I felt the canvas was in too good condition to cut. So I saved the canvas and removed the stickers (in scraped bits and pieces).

Unfortunately a bit of history got erased there. But overall the trunk has been refurbished well. I just got replica stickers today. They look nice, but the original stickers with the fine artwork and gilded lettering beats the replica stickers hands down.

There are a couple trunk sites you can go to. These are in the Northeast but I am sure you can find more in the U.S.

http://www.brettunsvillage.com/
http://www.stevensantiquetrunks.com/store.html

Refurbishing the trunk was a lot of fun and would recommend it if you like working with wood, leather, and metal. The trunk I have is a steamer trunk from 1900's. I got it for $100 with missing handles, and lots of rusty parts. But after fixing it up, I have seen similar styles starting at $600. I will post a link soon with before and after pictures.