Cleaning vintage toolboxes?

[NancyinMI]

Hey, y'all. I hope I am in the right place. My husband has recently started collecting vintage and what I would consider antique toolboxes. I think it started after his Grandpa passed away at 97 and left him everything including his collection of (I say with a lot of love) dusty crusty toolboxes. Some of the more recent boxes he has found have stickers on them, not manufacturer stickers but shop stickers or band stickers or that kind of thing. I was wondering if there is anything I could use to remove the stickers and their offending residue without damaging the paint? Also, is there anything I can use on the ones that are rusted or coated in a layer of outer crust that may allow whatever is hiding underneath to show without destroying the box themselves?

Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much.

 

[paulsomlo]

WD-40 may do the job, you might follow up with some isopropyl alcohol, although you should probably test the alcohol on the paint in an inconspicuous spot.

 

[JEFinCLE]

I've had good luck with Goo-Gone. It will soften the stickers and remove the adhesive without damaging paint.

I really like Fluid Film where I want to stop rust and maintain patina. Rusted areas turn sort of gray and the paint brightens up considerably. Spray on, agitate a little on the worst of the rust (I like a toothbrush), and wipe off.

 

[Provincial]

My first line of attack on stickers is heat. I use a hair dryer or (very sparingly) a heat gun. Do not use a lot of heat. Just warm the sticker enough to soften the adhesive. Too much heat will loosen the bond between the glue and the sticker, so you leave the adhesive on the tool box when you peel off the sticker!

I have had good luck heating the surface from the back side. It seems to affect the bond between the sticker and the adhesive less that way. Always be conservative with the heat.

It seems like sticker removal is easier in warm weather.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Agree with the above remedies, but I also keep lighter fluid (Zippo or Ronsonol) as a possible solvent to remove adhesive residue and to soften stickers. Just be sure to read the cautions and follow them...

 

[demiandvm]

I have used a heat gun with excellent results on all types of stickers. As you use the heat on the sticker, always move the gun around and do not hold it still in one place. Then, with a razor scrapper I am constantly testing the sticker to assess how soft it is. Thus, I am able to use the minimum heat necessary on that particular type of glue. I have not burnt any paint yet. Just be judicious in your technique.

 

[Thesian]

I like PB Blaster for this type of cleaning…but again, paint is its own animal. Test in an inconspicuous spot for sure regardless of what chemical you may choose.