Rookie Painter - No idea what I'm doing, but giving it a go

SmellyPetrol

Alright MSE's

I'm a complete rookie at this - so bare with me.

I've recently purchased a very old trunk, circa 1890-1910. The previous owners covered it in some black paint, which comes off just by rubbing the surface (not great i didn't think...)

I've asked around and no one seems to know what this might be; so I started removing it to reapply later, because I thought it was a botched job.

The paint comes off very easily with a damp cloth; and I've discovered it could be 'chalk paint?' (say what?)

If so; do I need to carry on stripping it or will some sort of wax resolve the problem?

If not; how can I identify the paint type?

Cheers guys

wallbash

The paint comes off very easily with a damp cloth;

So you will have to carry on and get rid of all 'paint.'
Then tell us what the trunk is made of , leather/ tin cardboard ??

jc808

chalk paint probably 'distemper'

New paint WILL NOT stick to distemper.

You need to make sure you remove ALL the old distemper

Chunks

Beat me to it. Agree with wallbash. It also depends on what you want to use the trunk for e.g. coffee table. If wood (and it looks good once stripped) you could apply wax and you're done.

wallbash

if it is wood , wax is great, easy to apply, cheap and looks good.

Ps you really cant go wrong with wax ......you can even change the colour , but the original really has to be of the same uniform wood , very likely as its a trunk.

SmellyPetrol

Thanks for the replies all.

I can't identify the wood. The trunk itself is absolutely huge (over a metre wide, a metre high and half a metre deep) but it doesn't weigh much at all - I'm guessing it's probably pine because of this. It's a light wood.

So this paint which is coming off - remove it and wax it over it?

Cheers

EDIT: I'll upload some pics in a couple of hours I think that'll help.

wallbash

pine because of this. It's a light wood.

Good.

remove it

Yes

Have a little look at the wood, may well need a light sand. But its an old trunk, don't over restore, you DON'T want a modern looking wooden trunk