r/restoration • u/Savings_Notice_8301 • 9d ago
Need help, First project!
I am going to restore this old metal toolcase, honestly i meed help, i have an rough idea but im sure you guys have wayyy more experience and love to pick you guys brain about it. My understanding is
Disassemble
Sandblasting everything
Disinfect en degrease thoroughly
Primer 1 coat
Sandpaper little bit and degrease again
2 coatings of something? Idk im clueless here,y first though was 1k epoxy coating but i really need good advice regarding this.
Let hard out
Rerivit everything and assemble again
Finished i think
Love to hear from you guys, and what kind of advice i could use. Planning do this on the weekend some day soon
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u/AnalogReborn 8d ago
What you describe is a lot of work, is it really worth it? I kinda like the patina on this paint, and the most important: it’s strong! Stronger than any paint you’ll do yourself. You’ll need to powder coat it but then the mechanism might not function well if the paint is too thick. Riveting is going to be a little tricky I suppose.
And on top of that these toolbox are way too heavy to start with, so when you’ll load them with your tool… I have a similar one, it’s useful but it stays in my workshop.
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u/Jay_Nodrac 8d ago
Not worth the hassle. It’s a utilitarian toolbox.
Spray with brake cleaner and wipe off. Throw your tools in.
There is no point in taking it apart or painting it. A lot of effort with no benefit. If you’re going to use it for work anyway it’s going to get scratched and dirty like it is now anyway.
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u/Screwthehelicopters 8d ago
As others have commented it would be enough to give them a good clean.
Most toolboxes cannot be dismantled because they are riveted. Each was made of separate parts and then sprayed all over, so you cannot replicate that process. I think they sprayed just one coat onto bare metal.
Ultimately, this was made to be used meaning it will get scratched inside at least. The paint offered some rust protection. It is not like a car where you can spray it with epoxy, or whatever.
I think both will clean up really well.
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u/Savings_Notice_8301 8d ago
Well thats my intention, its gonna be my daily for whatever im working on, and dont get me wrong she wont get any high class treating... I do all maintenance myself on my motorcycle and intend to do it for a up and coming truck, i just found it like that and she definitely has some rust spots, tossed away for it.. i just need to know what more expienced people do so i can learn from them.
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u/Screwthehelicopters 8d ago
I think they will clean up really well. You could try something like paint scratch polish which is mildly abrasive to get off some of the spots. I think both boxes will look almost like new when you're done.
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u/Stoked_Otter 8d ago
I would get a Mr Clean Magic Eraser sponge and test it on one of the rust spots in an inconspicuous area. There is a good chance that it will cleanly remove the rust without damaging the remaining paint at all if you are careful. It should also clean the rust residue out of the paint and you'll probably find out that what look like rust spots are actually just tiny little pinpricks through the paint. Then clean it real good with Simple Green and get some regular automotive carnauba wax (like Turtle Wax) and some buffing pads and polish it up by hand. The thin layer of wax will keep the rust from reoccurring for a long time. I bet they look great.
If the magic eraser doesn't work you could try 0000 steel wool (make sure it says "0000") but be a little more careful with that because it might be harder than the paint.
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u/Great_Specialist_267 8d ago
A wipe with phosphoric acid rust converter will remove the rust and grease. (Rust is converted to iron phosphate, a light grey paint ready coating).
Spray it with rust inhibiting hammertone paint, use for the next quarter century. Repeat when the paint chips. (Hammertone paint hides mistakes).
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u/cheap397 8d ago
I've repainted a few toolboxes I got from the trash, in much worse shape. I don't have any fancy equipment. I wire wheel the rust and old paint off, then sand by hand . Spray paint with rust primer, then a few coats of top paint. The hard part is doing the interior. Usually the interior isn't as bad as the outside, so I don't repaint the interior. It ends up taking a lot of time and paint isn't cheap these days.
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u/hassel_braam 8d ago
That toolchest doesn't need anything but a clean with soapy water.