Classic Craftsman Paint Match

[Bull]

Does anyone happen to know by experience what paints off the shelf come close to matching the old gray and red that Craftsman used to use on its toolboxes from the '60s and '70s? Maybe something through Rustoleum? Preferably not in a spray, but by the quart?

 

[hofferwood]

Rusto Regal Red was a pretty good match on this one Bull

 

[Outlawmws]

The gray hammer tone Craftsman used is closely matched by Rustolium Hammered gray.

 

[BWS]

As above Rustoleum Hammertone Gray is strikingly close.

We tig'd up a hutch to go on one of the MS bxs.I spraybombed it to match the old Gray(don't know vintage's?),top-bttm bxs.Reckon if you took a magnifying glass there might be a slight colour difference?Its almost like the original Grays had a yellowing CC on it?..........we CC'd ours 5 minutes after dry with some spilled spindle oil,haha.

Have seen it in qts at one of the homey stores?

 

[Bull]

Thanks guys, I'll see if the local big boxes carry it. I wonder if that Regal Red is closer to the newer vintage boxes, like the one pictured, than the older ones?

On a related note: have you guys ever thinned and rolled the paint with a dense foam roller, rather than spraying it? Kind of like those guys do who paint their own cars with Rustoleum and a roller?

 

[BigAl62]

Not to hijack, but does anyone know a close match to the black/charcoal gray on Craftsman red and black tool box drawers? I did a search, but found nothing.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks guys, I'll see if the local big boxes carry it. I wonder if that Regal Red is closer to the newer vintage boxes, like the one pictured, than the older ones?

On a related note: have you guys ever thinned and rolled the paint with a dense foam roller, rather than spraying it? Kind of like those guys do who paint their own cars with Rustoleum and a roller?

Sorry Bull, the only way I have ever applied Hammered is rattle can, but you have to go heavy to get good results, so getting the surface to be painted parallel to the ground helps a LOT

 

[TwoInch]

Thanks guys, I'll see if the local big boxes carry it. I wonder if that Regal Red is closer to the newer vintage boxes, like the one pictured, than the older ones?

On a related note: have you guys ever thinned and rolled the paint with a dense foam roller, rather than spraying it? Kind of like those guys do who paint their own cars with Rustoleum and a roller?

im sure if you follow that guys original directions on the original thread, you should get good results. lots of work and sanding, but on a box, that is flat sided and such, probably would be too bad... you can lay the side to be painted facing up, and the paint will self-level better that way. i would give it a try, i have been meaning to give that method a shot. i am sure the end result would be great honestly.

here is the original thread on the rustoleum type roller car painting stuff.. its long as hell, im not sure where the instructions are exactly... but here it is. im sure most if ya already have it bookmarked, as i do...

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=2331682&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

 

[derkafer]

The box on the left is original paint, the box on the right is Rustoleum Hammered Gray & Rustoleum Gloss Cherry. The red is definitely brighter red then the OG, but I like it better to be honest. The original red is too orangey for my tastes. Most of the time, I don't even notice the difference...

 

[GirlnAgarage]

^^ That's a great photo comp right there.

 

[Bull]

Is this project a good excuse to buy a spray gun of some kind, maybe an LVLP unit? I imagine I might be able to save a ton of time if I can spray the cabinet and get a nice finish, vs. rolling and sanding a side or two at a time. What would you do? It's 56" wide x 45" tall x 28" deep, so not just a little hand box or anything.

 

[Outlawmws]

Is this project a good excuse to buy a spray gun of some kind, maybe an LVLP unit? I imagine I might be able to save a ton of time if I can spray the cabinet and get a nice finish, vs. rolling and sanding a side or two at a time. What would you do? It's 56" wide x 45" tall x 28" deep, so not just a little hand box or anything.

Bull, if you are still talking Hammertone, It's very forgiving except for needing to lay it on thick. I did a full size roller Craftsman and its drawers,with rattle cans, and no issues except for two drawer where I had to re shoot them as the first attempt was too light and it came out feeling rough, almost chalky. A heavy coat later, and they are shiny and feel glossy to the touch.

I'd guess the case would take 3-4 cans, of the rattle can paint.

The only time consuming part is getting each side dry before moving on to the next, but you can rig a couple of support boards and hang the case once the back is done, (I always start with the least seen surfaces, in case I manage to muck the not quite dry paint in some way) and move on to the next surface, keeping the current painting surface flat so you can avoid runs.

 

[Bull]

Yes, Hammertone gray is still the plan.

The paint really needs to be applied when the surface is perpendicular to the ground? That complicates things a bit. It would be nice to set the box up on some 6x6s to get it off the ground and shoot it all in one swoop, nice and quick-like.

 

[Outlawmws]

Bull, having the surface horizontal is not an absolute necessity,but as heavy as I've found the hammertone likes to go on, I found it to be a distinct advantage. YMMV

As an example I did my drawers in two "passes"; once with the drawer flat and shot the insides back and sides, and again standing on their backs, to shoot the drawer fronts...

 

[TwoInch]

like outlaw, i try to keep anything i am rattle-canning, and going for a gloss finish perpendicular with the ground. most every type of rattle paint i have used, the thicker it is laid on, the better your finish will be. and like outlaw also said, having it laid flat keeps the runs away when laying thick.

im no pro painter, but i have done some damn good rattle can jobs. i would say there is definitely no need to get a gun and all that jive. just practice on a similar surface, so you can get your sweep, distance and speed right, and you can lay some paint with a rattle can.

 

[Bull]

I did mean to type "horizontal" to the ground above, and not "perpendicular."

This box is large enough that I am leery of using rattle cans. I've always heard that the amount of paint they lay down just isn't thick enough for long-term durability. But I am speaking from abstract knowledge gained from hearsay, not direct experience, mostly.

 

[TwoInch]

whoops, i got myself mixed up with the perpendicular too, you get what i mean im assuming..

when prepped correctly, i have never had rattle can disappoint when it comes to finish or durablilty. i have painted tool boxes, race mowers(flames/triple tones), vehicle parts, and all sorts of miscellaneous stuffs that has weathered the elements for years, and held up pretty well.

just use quality paint, and do proper prep whether just sanding/painting or bare/painting.. you should be able to get a finish that is fine either way.

or try the foam roller, and make it hard as a rock....

 

[kc-steve]

Is this project a good excuse to buy a spray gun of some kind, maybe an LVLP unit? I imagine I might be able to save a ton of time if I can spray the cabinet and get a nice finish, vs. rolling and sanding a side or two at a time. What would you do? It's 56" wide x 45" tall x 28" deep, so not just a little hand box or anything.

I would recommend it, for many reasons.

1. Looks great.
2. Easy on the spray finger.
3. You'll get a more even application all over, no stripes.
4. You can control the flow better.
5. Less time repairing mistakes.

If I think about it a while I bet I can come up with a few more reasons.

Steve

 

[6PTsocket]

The box on the left is original paint, the box on the right is Rustoleum Hammered Gray & Rustoleum Gloss Cherry. The red is definitely brighter red then the OG, but I like it better to be honest. The original red is too orangey for my tastes. Most of the time, I don't even notice the difference...

I am restoring boxes from this same series.Your color matches are good enough for me. Did you prime first, and if so, with what? How durable is this stuff? Will it chip the first time I put a tool down too hard? The original hammer finish was a fine uneven hammer peen with almost no texture. I hear thin coats minimize the texture but can you still see some hammer effect, like the original? Thanks

 

[tedsters]

Not to hijack, but does anyone know a close match to the black/charcoal gray on Craftsman red and black tool box drawers? I did a search, but found nothing.

Rustoleum charcoal gray looks great and as stated above the Rusto Regal Red