Questions about restoring my tool chest.

1Garageman · Aug 17, 2011

I just bought the base of my tool for $20!! I already have a top that will fit it. I want to give this a fresh coat of red paint to make it look better and match the top piece that I have. I started sanding and using a wire brush attachment for a drill on it. I have a few questions.
1. How much of the old paint do I have to take off of it before I can paint it?
2. What kind of paint do I need to use on it? I'd like to use my air compressor's painter to paint it instead of stuff from a spray can.
3. The silver strip that lines the outside draw is missing on the first one. Can you buy these things?

Thanks a lot guys :beer:

!

1st Pic is the one before I started on it.
2nd is the silver strip that I need for it.
3rd is the sanding/wire brushing I have done so far.

Granite Guy · Aug 17, 2011

no idea about the silver strip replacement.....but maybe find something that looks similar, and just replace both so they'll match.

imo only remove the paint that is rusted or heavily scratched......just a light sanding and thorough rub down with some xylol and spray away. To stay cheap, buy enamel door paint at Lowes or HD....a quart ($10) should do it fine

Granite Guy · Aug 17, 2011

oh, and thin the paint down with xylol before you spray....it will be a much better mist....just be sure to not coat it on too thick on your first few passes or it'll run. I usually will mix 2:1 paint to xylol

1Garageman · Aug 18, 2011

I am going to have to get some xylol. I have never heard of it before. I am a virgin when it comes to restoring these things, but i'd love to get into it!
Thanks for your help Granite Guy! :beer:

csp · Aug 18, 2011

You'll need to feather in any scratched/rusted areas unless you take the entire thing to bare metal if you want a consistent, smooth finish.

A wire wheel isn't the best tool for the job either. A dual orbital sander would be much better, finish wise.

1Garageman · Aug 22, 2011

I wired brushed and sanded it some more. I don't see any big scratched on it. I hammered in the edges that were sticking out and a couple of uneven edges. I think I am ready to start painting it.

rickairmedic · Aug 22, 2011

Garageman if you have a tractor supply nearby I would recomend using tractor and implement paint from them . You should be able to get a quart of Massey ferguson red and a pint of Naptha and a small can of enamel hardener from them for less than $30.00 . There will be mixing directions " suggestions " on the cans . I would also suggest shooting a coat of primer on the box before painting it to cover the bare metal first . This you could do with rattle cans real quick no more than 2 cans to do the whole box let it dry then lightly sand with 320-400 grit paper wipe down and then shoot the red on it .

Rick

1Garageman · Aug 22, 2011

rickairmedic said:
Garageman if you have a tractor supply nearby I would recomend using tractor and implement paint from them . You should be able to get a quart of Massey ferguson red and a pint of Naptha and a small can of enamel hardener from them for less than $30.00 . There will be mixing directions " suggestions " on the cans . I would also suggest shooting a coat of primer on the box before painting it to cover the bare metal first . This you could do with rattle cans real quick no more than 2 cans to do the whole box let it dry then lightly sand with 320-400 grit paper wipe down and then shoot the red on it .

Rick

I have a tractor supply company about 1.5
miles away from the house :bounce:

and I just got a $10 coupon if I spend $25.
So I might just do that. I had no idea that they sell paint and stuff like that.
Thanks for the info :thumbup:

1Garageman · Aug 22, 2011

I did some research on "Enamel Hardener Paint" because I have never used it or heard of it. It sounds a little bit to dangerous for me to use. On some websites guys are saying if you inhale it that it sticks inside your longs and thickens them and stuff. I only have/use a regular air mask over my mouth and nose. And I already have asthma! LOL.
I might do everything but that.

TeamTruett · Aug 22, 2011

Ive been down this road. Found an early 70's craftsman 10 draw cabinet at a garage sale for 30 bucks. I prepped like you did and primed with rustolem "professional" gray and top coated with Rustolem "Hammered" finish. I got a little carried away sweating the details and filled and sanded small dents. I painted the body one color and the drawer faces another. The hammered texture of the paint hides imperfections. Those metal strips will brighten up nicely with compound followed by polish.

rickairmedic · Aug 22, 2011

1Garageman said:
I did some research on "Enamel Hardener Paint" because I have never used it or heard of it. It sounds a little bit to dangerous for me to use. On some websites guys are saying if you inhale it that it sticks inside your longs and thickens them and stuff. I only have/use a regular air mask over my mouth and nose. And I already have asthma! LOL.
I might do everything but that.

Garageman I use a regular cheap mask when painting and have never had a problem . This is a painters mask mind you not one of those cloth dust masks . They are cheap at Harbor Freight and do the job if your not sure about the hardener then just get 4" foam rollers and roll it on it will still look great when done.

Oh yeah if you cant find a matching drawer pull just look at your local autoparts store for the stickon chrome trim

.

Rick

1Garageman · Aug 22, 2011

rickairmedic said:
Garageman I use a regular cheap mask when painting and have never had a problem . This is a painters mask mind you not one of those cloth dust masks . They are cheap at Harbor Freight and do the job if your not sure about the hardener then just get 4" foam rollers and roll it on it will still look great when done.

Oh yeah if you cant find a matching drawer pull just look at your local autoparts store for the stickon chrome trim .

Rick

Thanks for the tips on that Rick! :thumbup:

TeamTruett · Aug 22, 2011

Your post motivated me to put together my tool chest resto pic album, so thanks

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=1333

illmatyk · Aug 23, 2011

Very nice! I just bought a box that is similar to that. Keep up the good work! :thumbup:

1Garageman · Aug 23, 2011

TeamTruett said:
Your post motivated me to put together my tool chest resto pic album, so thanks

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=1333

Those two were made for each other! :thumbup:

That is once hell of a deal for $60 :bowdown:

1Garageman · Aug 23, 2011

illmatyk said:
Very nice! I just bought a box that is similar to that. Keep up the good work!

Thanks!

Here is the tool box I have restored that I am going to bolt put on top of it. I can't wait :bounce:

I restored it earlier. I got it at a estate sale for $30! So together this will be $50 for the storage units. I'll add the rest up later. :thumbup:

BigAl62 · Aug 23, 2011

1Garageman said:
I just bought the base of my tool for $20!! I already have a top that will fit it. I want to give this a fresh coat of red paint to make it look better and match the top piece that I have. I started sanding and using a wire brush attachment for a drill on it. I have a few questions.
1. How much of the old paint do I have to take off of it before I can paint it?
2. What kind of paint do I need to use on it? I'd like to use my air compressor's painter to paint it instead of stuff from a spray can.
3. The silver strip that lines the outside draw is missing on the first one. Can you buy these things?

Thanks a lot guys!

1st Pic is the one before I started on it.
2nd is the silver strip that I need for it.
3rd is the sanding/wire brushing I have done so far.

Your box looks like a Craftsman homeowners model, try Sears Parts Direct for the missing trim.

1Garageman · Sep 14, 2011

OK, I finally got a FREE weekend where I could put 3 coats of paint on it and join the two tool boxes together. Check it out! I flat out love it :bowdown:

I am going to use this tool box mainly for my air tools and drill bits and stuff. It has so much room I can put everything in there and organize it nicely.
Thanks for your help everyone. :thumbup:

bazzateer · Sep 14, 2011

Nice job!

1Garageman · Sep 14, 2011

Thanks! I am loving it.

Questions about restoring my tool chest.

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