Next week's project: Steamer trunk coffee table.

[politicat]

So here's the plan: I have two steamer trunks, similar to these:
http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/longislandluggage_1879_3264679

They're the cheapies, bought a few years ago at Target or somewhere similar. Currently, they hold our emergency kit because I don't really have any other place to put the damn thing, and you never know when there's going to be an earth quake, a chemical spill, or a flood that requires evacuation.

I'm going to place them back to back in the living room between the sofa and the rocker and the wing chair. This will give me a 33 inch by 36 inch by 18 inch coffee table.

They're different colors, so I was going to paint them both an oxblood color with acrylics and faux leather them.

Then I wanted to add a few of these reproduction luggage labels: http://www.vintagelabels.org/ImageGalleries.htm

I've got high quality images, a high quality inkjet printer and fresh ink.

What I need to know is: a) what type of paper I should be using and b) what type of glue and c) what type of sealer?

I've got elmer's, Tite Bond wood glue, gorilla glue, and polyurethane already.

[NMDemDist2]

1. wouldn't that be decoupage? I think they make special glue for that

so it doesn't bleed through like Elmer's

the decoupage glue goes right over the top of the paper THEN you can seal your paint, yes?


PS do you like grapefruit too?

[politicat]

2. I think it's decoupage....

Effectively anyway.

Yes, I love grapefruit.

[Warpy]

3. For the faux leather on the trunks

I'd use a heavy duty glue meant for putting the stuff up as wallpaper. You can probably find what you need at your home improvement megastore. For the labels, those were generally made on cheap paper (yes, I have old trunks with the real thing), so I'd just print them onto plain paper and use spray adhesive. Then I'd go over them with a couple of coats of water based polyurethane. If you have the type of ink that smears, then use spray polyurethane.

If you're not considering it already, do consider a framed piece of either heavy glass or Lucite for the top. The frame just makes it easy for you to flip it off and stand it against a wall in a hurry if you have to grab that kit and run. When it's in place, it'll protect that faux leather, paint, and labeling job.

[KarenS]

4. ThankYou for the link to this wonderful website!!

just personally I would use 100% cotton paper (stationery quality) to print on (with the print quality at super-fine) and I would use ModPodge as the both the glue & sealer for the paper,,,, then use your final sealer,,,,

However,,,, it would be best for you to make a "test board" ~ finish it & attach some things & seal it,,, and let it sit for some time so see just what happens,,,

Good luck on this !! It sounds like a great project!!