Painting Tool Box White - Which Paint To Use?

[57TWPW]

Hello Everyone,

Been a long time reader and have found immensely useful advice from everyone who posts here. -Thank you!

I am planning to paint my tool boxes white (a bunch of Vidmar cabinets) for that white shop look.

After researching several posts, I still need some help from you all.

Which is the best white enamel to use?
I have looked at these and tried to find differences but perhaps it's all the same paint in different packaging?

-Rust oleum white enamel
-Rust oleum appliance white enamel
-Rust oleum farm and tractor enamel

Any others you recommend/ prefer would be great.
I was planning on brushing or rolling it on or may buy one of those HVLP guns everyone talks about here and try that out.

I am trying to get a perfect finish, or close to that if possible. Would prefer powder coating but that just isn't feasible at this time...i'll post some pics as soon as I can that would show why.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

 

[aka Larry]

Hello Everyone,

Been a long time reader and have found immensely useful advice from everyone who posts here. -Thank you!

I am planning to paint my tool boxes white (a bunch of Vidmar cabinets) for that white shop look.

After researching several posts, I still need some help from you all.

Which is the best white enamel to use?
I have looked at these and tried to find differences but perhaps it's all the same paint in different packaging?

-Rust oleum white enamel
-Rust oleum appliance white enamel
-Rust oleum farm and tractor enamel

Any others you recommend/ prefer would be great.
I was planning on brushing or rolling it on or may buy one of those HVLP guns everyone talks about here and try that out.

I am trying to get a perfect finish, or close to that if possible. Would prefer powder coating but that just isn't feasible at this time...i'll post some pics as soon as I can that would show why.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Not saying it's impossible, but IMO brushing or rolling won't be close to the 'perfect finish' you desire. HVLP is the way to go, but if you've never used one, again I doubt a perfect finish will be achieved on your first project using one.

As for the paint, IME, the rattle can version of Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy is pretty good stuff. I've used it and it goes on smooth, flows out nice, and has a nice gloss. If they make it in other packaging, I'm unaware.

 

[Handyandy23]

I agree that I think brushing or rolling is impossible to give a perfect finish on a smooth metal surface. Using a foam roller will give a smoother finish than the regular fluffy rollers, but it still won't be as smooth as what a normal tool box paint is.

Also assuming these are being painted white from some dark color, you'd need multiple coats to cover it rolling. Each coat adds some roughness to compound to the final product. You could lightly sand with find grit sandpaper in between coats to help smooth the final finish, but that's a lot of work too.

I have no experience actually using them, but spraying with a gun is your only chance of getting a "perfect" finish.

For any painting project the prep is key, too. They'll really need to be cleaned thoroughly with a degreasing cleaner, and fully disassembled to paint all the surfaces. And you'd have to sand/scuff everything before painting for adhesion.

I'm not trying to sound discouraging, but I've gone through quite a few different types of DIY paint projects and from what I've found, they are a lot more work than you initially think (to do it right), and you have to temper expectations because perfection is almost impossible to achieve.

If the main goal is to have a nice white setup, personally I would sell the Vidmar stuff and buy new USG stuff in white. You might be giving up some quality, but you get a perfect brand-new white finish with minimal work. Full lineup of matching white accessories. And they've proven to be decent quality boxes for a home setup.

That's just my two cents, if you're dead set on painting what you have then I would look seriously into an HVLP setup and start practicing on scrap to get used to it.

 

[FJ 432]

I have rolled the first two coats, sanded and sprayed the final two coats.

 

[aka Larry]

Also assuming these are being painted white from some dark color, you'd need multiple coats to cover it rolling

The best way I've found to go from a darker color to a lighter one is to paint the darker color with silver paint first. Silver will color even black in just one coat.

 

[pioneer1]

The best way I've found to go from a darker color to a lighter one is to paint the darker color with silver paint first. Silver will color even black in just one coat.

This is very good to know

 

[JP Chestnut]

No matter how smooth it ends up, I'd be worried about durability.

 

[dffay]

Rustoleum plus a generic Catalyst Hardener reduced with Acetone and or Japan Drier sprayed on with a gun is highly durable. YouTube will have several vids on this as well as the mix ratios.

 

[Handyandy23]

No matter how smooth it ends up, I'd be worried about durability.

Good point in this too.

I know not exactly comparable, but I painted the kitchen cabinets in our old house. Did all the prep work, took the doors and hinges off, sanded down the varnish on the wood cabinets, cleaned with degreaser, etc.

Used a proper 'cabinet' grade paint, rolled with a foam roller, sanded in between coats.

The end product was maybe like an 8/10 compared to new cupboards, looked pretty good standing a couple feet away. But they weren't especially durable. I was constantly touching up little knicks and chips.

In a garage setting it's just not something I'd want to deal with. Especially with white. And touch ups are never very smooth.

 

[aka Larry]

Rustoleum plus a generic Catalyst Hardener reduced with Acetone and or Japan Drier sprayed on with a gun is highly durable. YouTube will have several vids on this as well as the mix ratios.

Agreed.

I painted this trailer I built with Rustoleum Farm & Implement paint. I used acetone for the reducer, and enamel harder catalyst, and it's held up very well.

 

[1320stang]

If you're willing to sand and polish, you could brush it on no problem.

 

[Treeman]

I've repainted a small refrigerator with the Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy. It is a much different product than their other enamels. It lays out very well with no orange peel. It is a very robust and durable product.

Their alkyd enamel with the addition of a hardener "might" be o.k. also. Be aware that catalyst hardener is VERY dangerous health wise (respiratory).

Finally, their Hard Hat/Professional rattle can enamels seem to dry much faster and achieve better hardness quicker compared to their plain alkyd enamels.

Buy a can of the appliance epoxy and do a trial. I think you will be pleased. If you are going to go to the trouble of using a spray gun, you should just use good automotive paint, reducers, hardeners, etc..

 

[aka Larry]

Be aware that catalyst hardener is VERY dangerous health wise (respiratory).

You are exactly right, and I should have mentioned that earlier that a respirator should always be worn.

Finally, their Hard Hat/Professional rattle can enamels seem to dry much faster and achieve better hardness quicker compared to their plain alkyd enamels.

That has been my experience as well. Their professional line has a better spray nozzle and dries at least 3X faster.

 

[57TWPW]

Wow, thank you all for your suggestions.
I am willing to practice with the gun to get things right. I am stuck on Vidmars, it has taken me a ton of work to get the set up I was finally happy with so sticking with Vidmars.
I will also try using the appliance epoxy spray with one drawer..maybe it's acceptable for the time being.


I may just use as is and get a powder coat quote instead. I also thought of doing a wrap on the faces as an alternative...so many options.. I'll take some pics and send to give all an idea of what i'm dealing with. Thanks again to everyone's suggestions. I love this place!

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I paint my Lista / Vidmars with Rust-Oleum oil base bright white gloss...

I roll it.... Small orange peel... Not noticeable unless you look for it. Definitely not a smooth let's say a brand new toolbox from snap-on... But it sure is easy to keep clean and wipe down. Pretty tough paint... Not as tough as power coat but unless you're banging tools into your toolbox it should be fine.

 

[57TWPW]

Hello Everyone,

Been a long time reader and have found immensely useful advice from everyone who posts here. -Thank you!

I am planning to paint my tool boxes white (a bunch of Vidmar cabinets) for that white shop look.

After researching several posts, I still need some help from you all.

Which is the best white enamel to use?
I have looked at these and tried to find differences but perhaps it's all the same paint in different packaging?

-Rust oleum white enamel
-Rust oleum appliance white enamel
-Rust oleum farm and tractor enamel

Any others you recommend/ prefer would be great.
I was planning on brushing or rolling it on or may buy one of those HVLP guns everyone talks about here and try that out.

I am trying to get a perfect finish, or close to that if possible. Would prefer powder coating but that just isn't feasible at this time...i'll post some pics as soon as I can that would show why.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Here are the vidmars I plan on painting white.

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[57TWPW]

I paint my Lista / Vidmars with Rust-Oleum oil base bright white gloss...

I roll it.... Small orange peel... Not noticeable unless you look for it. Definitely not a smooth let's say a brand new toolbox from snap-on... But it sure is easy to keep clean and wipe down. Pretty tough paint... Not as tough as power coat but unless you're banging tools into your toolbox it should be fine.

Is it just the regular oil based gloss?

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[JP Chestnut]

That’s going to look slick when they’re all one color. Have you thought about doing all the hardware and handles black?

 

[HMCFab9]

If you can spray, I'd use an automotive single stage urethane for the best durability

 

[57TWPW]

That’s going to look slick when they’re all one color. Have you thought about doing all the hardware and handles black?

I definitely have and have done it to other vidmara in the past that Inhad painted grey. It looks great black.

In this case though i'm going to make custom handles in steel or chrome as I really don't like vidmar handles.

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[57TWPW]

If you can spray, I'd use an automotive single stage urethane for the best durability

Got it, i'll look into that.
I do have several spray guns I havent used yet...since I still need to learn.

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[May Pop]

For durability Id use car paint. A single stage like Kirker from Autobody tool mart. Dries fast and durable.

 

[like2wheel]

If you can spray, I'd use an automotive single stage urethane for the best durability

This.
Those cabinets definitely deserve a catalyzed product.

 

[57TWPW]

This.
Those cabinets definitely deserve a catalyzed product.

I think you're right. I'll see how to spray these correctly.

Thanks all!

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