need help please

[Stratguy]

Vintage Snap-On toolbox

I bought an old Snap-On Toolbox at a garage sale this weekend...it reminded me of the one my brother had, except older...I know I have some work to do on this, but am up for the challenge. wondering how to get the chrome rust free and if I should attack with steel wool, wire brush, solvents, or.......I don't see a date stamp yet, but thinking its on the bottom where its very corroded .....any advice will be very appreciated !

 

[DGersic]

That plating looks pretty far gone. Replacement may be your least expensive option. Stripping and re-plating would be better, but expensive.

What are you planning for this box?



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[Ralf11]

silver paint?

 

[Lesserstore]

Try using a steel wire brush (hand not on drill or grinder) and see what happens it can't hurt.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

PB Blaster and a wire brush will be your best friend in this situation


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[Stratguy]

DGersic Thanks for the advice. I'd like to find out what year and model it is before proceeding, after looking at the old catalogues, it looks like a KRC-707, 7 drawer tool chest ( 1965) notice above the logo, it seems to have a larger space at the top....If so, I would like to keep as much as original as possible....Thoughts?

 

[Noworries]

Go to a plating shop as what beer the guy drinks toss the handles down and offer a case of his beer to stick those in his next job or.. chrome spray paint

 

[Stratguy]

BlakeTheCarGuy, Thanks for the advice!

 

[Stratguy]

Lesserstore, Thank you!

 

[Stratguy]

Go to a plating shop as what beer the guy drinks toss the handles down and offer a case of his beer to stick those in his next job or.. chrome spray paint

Noworries, haha! that sounds like a plan! Thanks!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I believe the date is stamped on the back side of the box.

 

[Stratguy]

I believe the date is stamped on the back side of the box.

Haven't uncovered it yet....

 

[steaks&anvils]

Try cleaning your chrome with aluminum foil, you have nothing to lose as it is a pretty mild technique.

lots of information if you google it.

This is a good website for instructions:

http://www.slipperyrockgazette.net/index.cfm/pageId/1948

 

[Stratguy]

Try cleaning your chrome with aluminum foil, you have nothing to lose as it is a pretty mild technique.

lots of information if you google it.

This is a good website for instructions:

http://www.slipperyrockgazette.net/index.cfm/pageId/1948

Thankyou!

 

[KnurledNut]

Haven't uncovered it yet....

IIRC, check the bottom corners.

 

[dcummer]

Re: Vintage Snap-On toolbox

I bought an old Snap-On Toolbox at a garage sale this weekend...it reminded me of the one my brother had, except older...I know I have some work to do on this, but am up for the challenge. wondering how to get the chrome rust free and if I should attack with steel wool, wire brush, solvents, or.......I don't see a date stamp yet, but thinking its on the bottom where its very corroded .....any advice will be very appreciated !

If you can remove the chrome pieces then this advice might help: I had a similar situation with a Gerstner box I inherited from my brother. It had been in a damp location for many years and the nickel plated corner pieces, rear hinge assemblies, and two large side handles were in tough shape, with three dimensional rust in many places. Gerstner sells replacement hardware, but the hardware is so prominent that replacing it didn't feel right. I took advice from here and bought my first quart of evaporust. The results were way better than I'd dared hope for. The flaking nickel was obviously removed, but the sound plating wasn't damaged, and with the rust gone the visuals are better than fine.

Evaporust is now my first choice for most things with plating. Electrolysis is probably my favorite rust remover but plating (and paint) don't stand a chance with it.

Good luck