Questions about refinishing mid 80’s craftsman boxes!

[supadave888]

I picked up several mid 80’s craftsman cabinets and chests. They aren’t in the worst shape but they are not in the best shape either. The cabinet has some rust scale on the sides and I plan to refinish each cabinet and chest one at a time.

I’m preparing to refinish the cabinet first by wire wheeling and sanding everything first then cleaning it and degreasing. After that I’m going to spray filler primer and sand the coats in between coats until I get a good smooth finish. Next I’m planning to spray several light coats of sunrise red enamel.

My dad is persistent on rolling the paint on with a roller. Not sure why but I’m just wondering which method is preferred by guys that have done it before with good results?

Any tips are greatly appreciated!

 

[Hiatt1991]

Rolling on paint will not be nearly as smooth as spray paint. If you want to take this project on, make sure you get the surface as dent free as possible before painting.

 

[ARFLY]

Spray it. Don't roll it. I redid an early 90's chest, top, middle, bottom. Be prepared, it is a lot of work.

 

[supadave888]

Thanks fellas! I figured spraying would be the route to take. All the boxes are straight with little to no dents or deflections but I’ll be sure to work then dents out before priming. My only concern is the rust on the side and back of the lower cabinet. Tomorrow I’m going to start wire wheeling the rust so I’ll know what I’m working with however I don’t think it’s pitted But I’ll know more tomorrow.

I’m prepared for a lot of work as this will take some time and that’s ok. I like projects. I have a total of 6 boxes to freshen up.

One more question, the drawer slides what’s the best wax or lubrication after they are cleaned up?

 

[jkherd]

Keep us updated on the progress, looking forward to seeing the boxes refinished.

 

[thehorse13]

I use PB Blaster dry lube in the light blue can when redoing drawer slides.

6 boxes you say? You're going to be busy until the spring if you complete all the steps you've listed above.

Spray the boxes without a doubt. If you take a roller to the boxes after doing all that work, you'll be starting over again to fix the horrible finish that a roller will produce.

 

[supadave888]

I use PB Blaster dry lube in the light blue can lol when redoing drawer slides.

6 boxes you say? You're going to be busy until the spring if you complete all the steps you've listed above.

Spray the boxes without a doubt. If you take a roller to the boxes after doing all that work, you'll be starting over again to fix the horrible finish that a roller will produce.

I thought about trying the dry lube but as it wouldn’t make a mess. I couldn’t remember if I read someone used some sort of wax. I picked up one cabinet, two mid boxes and two top boxes all at once for less than 100 bucks. The plan is to complete the cabinet first so that I can put it in use then work on the others after. I’ll document the process! I’m sure I’ll have more questions along the way..

 

[ryan20021982]

I have posted this a few times but, I love this spray paint, it lays better than Rust-Oleum and looks great.

View media item 69966
Here is a toolbox I did with it

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View media item 75206

 

[supadave888]

I have posted this a few times but, I love this spray paint, it lays better than Rust-Oleum and looks great.

View media item 69966
Here is a toolbox I did with it

View media item 69965
View media item 75206

I just picked up a couple cans of rustoleum but that does look slick. did you sand in between coats or is this just several thin coats that layed down that well? I might return the cans I bought and find this Valspar spray. what color did you spray if you don't mind me asking?

 

[tombell572]

Supadave--all of the above is correct--it will be a big project and using roller will produce a finish like houseplant.

If your process is listed in the order of events, I would degrease first before any wheeling or sanding. You need a dry surface for that to be effective.

Tom B.

 

[ryan20021982]

I just picked up a couple cans of rustoleum but that does look slick. did you sand in between coats or is this just several thin coats that layed down that well? I might return the cans I bought and find this Valspar spray. what color did you spray if you don't mind me asking?

That's just multiple thin coats, no sanding. And they don't have many shades of red, pretty sure that was just called red.

 

[supadave888]

Ryan 20021982, where did you find that specific Valspar paint and what color did you use?

Tombell572, ive degreased the exterior of the cabinet and wire wheeled about half of the outside and it looks good. ill need to sand it smooth before primer. The inside will need to be degreased before I start on it because the drawer slides have a tube of grease on each one lol.

 

[supadave888]

That's just multiple thin coats, no sanding. And they don't have many shades of red, pretty sure that was just called red.

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. I have read some opinions on the rustoleum that were not on the good side. I have a while before Im ready to spray color so ill try to find a local store that sells the Vlaspar. Where did you find it for sale?

 

[thehorse13]

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. I have read some opinions on the rustoleum that were not on the good side. I have a while before Im ready to spray color so ill try to find a local store that sells the Vlaspar. Where did you find it for sale?

They sell the Valspar stuff everywhere, including Walmart. The rub is that it is 4x more expensive than Rustoleum. They run about 14 bucks a can.

 

[ryan20021982]

They sell the Valspar stuff everywhere, including Walmart. The rub is that it is 4x more expensive than Rustoleum. They run about 14 bucks a can.

Not sure your looking at the same stuff, this is where I get it, on sale for under $5 a can.

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/g--1611-valspar-aerosol-anti-rust-oil-based-enamel.html

 

[thehorse13]

Not sure your looking at the same stuff, this is where I get it, on sale for under $5 a can.

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/g--1611-valspar-aerosol-anti-rust-oil-based-enamel.html

Yep. Same exact stuff. For reasons I cannot explain, they mark it to the moon here. They even have the stuff marked up to 14 bucks a can on the Walmart website.

 

[supadave888]

thsnks guys I’m going to be returning the rustoleum and ordering cans from farm and fleet.com... I still have a while before I’m ready to spray so I have time lol.