Re: Restoring a 1934 Packard Trunk

Posted by HH56 On 2022/12/13 12:26:33

I have never tried it but one of your countrymen has a YouTube video and says alcohol, specifically hand sanitizer, is a good solvent for hardened paint that does not damage vinyl upholstery. Other places do mention different solvents for different paints so I suppose it would be important to identify what paint was used. Still, the hand sanitizer is available and maybe worth a first try except maybe use a very stiff brush instead of a fingernail.

Can't say what material was used to cover the trunk but Packard used a material they called leatherette for interior trim in some wear areas or when the cost of full leather on a particular surface was not warranted. No idea when full on vinyl material came into wide use so the leatherette may be what is on the trunk. Perhaps the alcohol would be just as effective on it but just in case not, do try in a hidden or already damaged spot first.

Here is a bit detailing the difference between vinyl and leatherette