Advice on retaining "patina" rust.....

[grizz]

Right, went to bootfair this morning with some friends who slept over last night.
Got lots of bits n bobs.

Then right at the end, last stall, there was a steel trunk.

Asked the price..... Got it for £10.00

Been looking for a trunk to bolt into the rear of the truck to act as seat at shows, safe box for tools, jack etc and another bit of "personal decoration" to add.

Brought it home and now have to decide what route to go.

Outside is completely rusted on the surface.
Inside has been painted at some point.
It also has "The Times of India" from 4th of July 1945 stuck in the bottom, fairly messed up, but we want to protect or keep it in there.

Advice needed please How do I keep the interior with the paper stuck to it in one piece and what way is the best for the outside?

My thoughts are clear varnish inside and clear lacquer on the outside with some pinstriping later when I can afford to have it done.

Latches are all brass.

[PKCSPT]

The stories it could tell

[Larry C]

This is just my opinion, a little bit of rust does look pretty cool. However, this is just too much of a good thing. Clear Acrylic (Lacquer) will darken the rust and make it look better, but IMO I would remove the latches if the rivets can be drilled easily. I would then polish the brass with rouge till it looks like gold, and spray the latches with clear lacquer. I would then sand blast the the entire outside to remove the rust. Then prime and paint it British Racing Green like the Mini Cooper color. Or maybe even a bright red. Varnish the inside is fine and will preserve it. This chest is too big, and WAY too classy to leave rusty. I would leave all dings and dent as is though. Just picture the polished brass latches on British racing Green

[Shadow Catcher]

Truth Beauty and contact lenses are in the eye of the beholder
If you wish to keep the rusted look http://www.instructables.com/id/Preserv ... eel-Iron-/
"He recommended a product called Penetrol normally used as a paint additive to improve flow and adhesion that also seals and stops rust. It can be used alone as a base coat on bare metal and will fix the rust while preserving the appearance. The finish will be darker than dry rust but similar to rust sprayed with water or oil and can be top coated with a polyurethane for a more durable finish"

[atahoekid]

I cast my vote for trying to preserve the box in its current state of "decay" There is a term for that, which I cannot at this time recall but it is used in describing historical sites. If i were you, I would keep both exterior and interior frozen where they are. I think a good coat of lacquer or epoxy would preserve the interior with that fabulous newspaper liner. I would try Shadow Catchers method or something similar for the exterior. What a great find!!!

[rebapuck]

Wax it?

[grizz]

Wax it?

Weirly, there are waxes out there that protects rust.

The whole Patina and Rat look thing has created a new market.

I have not decided yet as the neespaper needs protecting.

The exterior rust is less of a problem.

[DaveyB]

I'd agree with the clear varnish for the inside. Outside the VW guys swear by something called Ankor Wax. They use it to keep the spliities imported from dry US states from deteriating further.

[grizz]

Now done

Outside sanded, clear lacquer.

Inside I put a sheet of clear perspex down and then packed the tools into plastic boxes inside the trunk.