Book Huggerz: A Treasured Chest

I had been eying this chest up in the back corner of the garage, thinking, "I would love take that down, dust it off, and make it my Hope Chest!"

So the other day, I decided to do just that.

Dad helped me pull it down off the shelf, and as I was standing under it I looked up and noticed that there was a bottom panel missing. "Dad, did you know..." but I didn't get to finish my sentence because a handful of rat dropping fell in my face (though thankfully not in my mouth!).

For a quick history of the company- ROOS MFG Chicago Co Est 1871- and the chests they make, click here.

Needless to say, getting the chest fixed up took a lot more than some dusting! Here are the before pictures, what I did to fix it up, and the after pictures:

Things Needed:

Hammer or Flathead Screwdriver
Vacuum with brush tip
Baking Soda
Sandpaper- 60, 100, and 150 grit... 220 if you can get it.
Sanding Machine
Rags
Polyurethane

Steps Taken:

Took the nails out of the cloth so I could remove the cloth... ew... and vacuumed the inside and outside with the brush-tip (helps to not leave scratches).
Set an open Baking Soda box inside the Chest, closed it, and let it set for a day to help rid whatever smell of animals and dust there might be left.
Inside: sanded with the 100 grit sandpaper, wiped out the dust with a dry cloth and vacuum.
DON'T APPLY COAT!!! If you apply varnish, wax, or
anything on the inside, it will cover up the natural cedar smell and bugs will then be more attracted to it!!!
DON'T EVER USE STEEL WOOL!!! On the inside or the outside. The inside doesn't need it, and on the outside it will react chemically with the Polyurethane.
Outside: sanded down the outside with 60, 100, then 150 grit paper, wiped the dust COMPLETELY OFF with a dry rag and then a damp rag. Let dry before applying the Polyurethane with a clean rag. Let sit for 2 hrs.
Sanded lightly with 150, preferably use a 220grit if you have it, applied Polyurethane again and let it sit 24 hrs.
Show it off, you're done :D