Cleaning rusty snap on slides

[zkling]

What is the best (easiest and cheapest) way to clean semi rusty snap on friction slides? Box looks like PO didn't know what lubricant was. Dry as a bone. Rest of the box is spotless, but the slides have a bit of surface rust on them.

I have read Lookin's KR537 restoration thread a few times for inspiration. I know he used evaporust with good results. I was hoping to find something a little cheaper. Only have 6 slides to do. Was thinking about a light wire wheel in the bench grinder, as I usually use for small fasteners. But wasn't sure if it would have long term effects on the bearing surface channels.

My usual method of de-rusting machine parts is electrolysis, but I have always been a bit hesitant to use it on springs such as the tabs riveted to the slide ends.

Any suggestions or tips? What have you used in the past?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

How about a little steel wool?

 

[NHBandit]

For low budget and no worry about damaging anything I would go with Molasses. 1 jar of Grandmas molasses from the local grocery store disolved in a couple gallons of water should do the trick. Get one of those plastic window box things from the plant section of your local Wally world and soak the slides for a couple days. Lightly rub with 000 steel wool and you're done.

 

[Murphy4570]

The ones I had on a side cabinet I bought were rusty as hell. I ended up just throwing them away and buying new ones off of the Snap-On website. They still sell parts for their older boxes.

 

[mvptrukin]

Some members have used Evapo-Rust--don't know if Lowes still has it on clearance--see Hot Deals thread.

 

[CWP1616L]

The maroon colored Scotch-Brite is a mechanic's best friend.

 

[lilredex]

This is my first choice for rusty stuff. In fact, just finished cleaning up some friction slides on a BEACH box I bought.

If they are rusted through, nothing will save them....just buy new ones as suggested.

 

[saturnman]

if you are in with the dealer, they will often warranty them out. ot yes, you could buy replacements....

 

[plinker]

If it's surface rust, wire wheel and/or scotchbrite pad.

 

[RCL]

I have been cleaning up slides on an older Matco box.
The wire wheel and then 0000 steel wool work well.

 

[zkling]

Thanks everyone. I think I will proceed with steel wool and then go to the wire wheel for what the steel wool can't get. Just didn't want to go full bore with the wire wheel and create small pores in the metal that would wear out the channel over time. I want to keep this box for the next 50 years.

The slides aren't bent or worn, jut light surface rust on the front half of them. I really didn't want to buy new slides, I am just that cheap.
The box is in really good condition, doesn't seem to have been used much, or lubed up much either.

 

[zkling]

I got the slides finished this evening. Most of the bulk rust was knocked off with a wire wheel on a bench grinder. Then I switched to a dremel with wire wheel to get into the nooks and crannies. If I had more than 6 to do I would definitely invest in some evaporust.

I then used paraffin wax to lube the slides like snap on suggested. They still don't slide as well as I would like, so I may have to investigate the lube a bit.

 

[plinker]

Nice deal on the mid box! I like silicone spray for friction slides.

 

[briandrex]

Nice box and a big YOU **** on such a nice score. Those middle boxes have sold on ebay for up to $300!

 

[lilredex]

I then used paraffin wax to lube the slides like snap on suggested. They still don't slide as well as I would like, so I may have to investigate the lube a bit.QUOTE]




I too have used paraffin....but have since found something better that has been around since the fifties, at least.

 

[Gregg33]

For low budget and no worry about damaging anything I would go with Molasses. 1 jar of Grandmas molasses from the local grocery store disolved in a couple gallons of water should do the trick. Get one of those plastic window box things from the plant section of your local Wally world and soak the slides for a couple days. Lightly rub with 000 steel wool and you're done.

Wallpaper trays work good too for soaking large items. Cheap and often made in Canada or U.S.

 

[zkling]

Nice box and a big YOU **** on such a nice score. Those middle boxes have sold on ebay for up to $300!

Thanks braindrex, I know we were talking about those mid boxes awhile back. I kinda put it in my "if I find one super cheap I will buy, but otherwise just keep purchasing top and bottom boxes". It is nice and I do like it, but I honestly wouldn't pay much over $75 for one. When I saw it at the garage sale for $20 I thought I probably wouldn't ever find another one cheaper so I got it. It just doesn't have the usefulness that I was hoping it would. Don't get me wrong they are nice boxes, I just can't understand why they fetch so much money on ebay. I wish the bottom drawer had the heavy duty slides like the KRA59 has.

Sorry for the bad pic. It looks kinda funny between my mint green (hospital repaint for crash cart) bottom box and top 1979 KRA59

One thing that I really don't like is how the top drawer is spring loaded to open. It has a goofy locking mechanism where the top drawer locks all 3. So if you have the top drawer closed, but not locked you can't open the other drawers.

I too have used paraffin....but have since found something better that has been around since the fifties, at least.

I have never heard of that lilredx. I will have to try it. I have read the different schools of thought on lube for friction slides, but still haven't stumbled upon my favorite. I put a generous rubbing of paraffin on the slides, but they just don't slide like I want then to. My craftsman bottom box slides smoother with light oil