Craftsman Crown Top Toolbox Restoration

[GalaxyRat]

Hello, everyone, I am in need of some advice on this Craftsman 30" carpenter's box my grandfather-in-law have me. It was in pretty rough shape when I got it, so I took it apart and gave it an EvapoRust and electrolysis bath and have also sanded it. This little project has made me seriously consider getting a sand blaster...

I got it the rust cleaned up on it and have been hung up on a couple of things.

1: To paint, or not to paint... I wanted to paint the outside and keep the inside how it is to show age. What do you guys think? And what is the closest color I can get to the blueish-gray original? Krylon hammered finish gray is too silver to me and I have only been able to find threads about the red and gray drawer boxes which people call for using charcoal gray for the drawers, so that is too dark for this box.

2: The not-so-chrome-anymore chrome latches. Is there anything I can do to bring these back? Or should I leave them as is to show age?

I've added some pics below for reference.

Thanks for any help, I've been putting this off for too long and hate seeing it just lay around.

View attachment 941729

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[GalaxyRat]

Here are some "before" pictures:View attachment 941737View attachment 941739

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[spike99250]

Rustolem hammered light blue or verde green would look appropriate for that box. I would paint the inside.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

+1 on Rustoleum Hammered Light Blue. You can get it from Amazon. I ordered a can a couple weeks ago and sprayed some scrap sheet metal. As close as you're going to get straight out of the can. If you're going to all that work I'd have it media blasted. 25-30 bucks or so investment in a family heirloom. I agree with spike, paint the inside too. Only so much you can do for the hardware. WD40, a brass brush and a lot of elbow grease then clear coat so the rust doesn't come back. If you need a couple of tubular rivets to put the Crown logo back on, shoot me a PM with a mailing address. I had to buy a pack of 100 a while back. Good luck and let us see it when you're done!

 

[GalaxyRat]

Rustolem hammered light blue or verde green would look appropriate for that box. I would paint the inside.

I will pick up a couple of cans and give this a shot. I have been trying so hard to find a close color. Thank you!

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[GalaxyRat]

I'll probably stop by harbor freight for a media blaster then. Thanks for the input!! Sending you a PM now

+1 on Rustoleum Hammered Light Blue. You can get it from Amazon. I ordered a can a couple weeks ago and sprayed some scrap sheet metal. As close as you're going to get straight out of the can. If you're going to all that work I'd have it media blasted. 25-30 bucks or so investment in a family heirloom. I agree with spike, paint the inside too. Only so much you can do for the hardware. WD40, a brass brush and a lot of elbow grease then clear coat so the rust doesn't come back. If you need a couple of tubular rivets to put the Crown logo back on, shoot me a PM with a mailing address. I had to buy a pack of 100 a while back. Good luck and let us see it when you're done!

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[JoCoSawdust]

Let me know which one you get and once used, how you like it. I'd like to have one but can't justify a big set up.

 

[GalaxyRat]

I definitely will!

Let me know which one you get and once used, how you like it. I'd like to have one but can't justify a big set up.

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[Zrxrunner]

Joco, fyi, if you have the outside area, the little pot style blasters work pretty well for this, but makes a heck of a mess. I've used them a few times and do the trick.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Thanks Zrx. That's what I'm leaning towards. I don't need one very often and really don't want to donate floor space in the shop for an enclosed one.

 

[GalaxyRat]

Let me know which one you get and once used, how you like it. I'd like to have one but can't justify a big set up.

Well, I got a media blaster. Just not from Harbor Freight...

I found a 1988 San-Blaster for $5 at a yard sale and it works! They even had some extra nozzles lying around. The people I bought it from used to make metal signs for businesses and would use it to clean up the material before painting it.

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[driftpin]

Where in FL are you?

The can like you got will do it well.You can try the Home Depot sand but I think the kiln-dried sand from a supplier will give you better results, w/less clogging.

I agree w/painting everything. Inside/outside.

Locally, chrome plating is expensive for the latches, they may be cadmium-plated stock, anyway.

 

[GalaxyRat]

Where in FL are you?

The can like you got will do it well.You can try the Home Depot sand but I think the kiln-dried sand from a supplier will give you better results, w/less clogging.

I agree w/painting everything. Inside/outside.

Locally, chrome plating is expensive for the latches, they may be cadmium-plated stock, anyway.

I'm in the Crystal River/Dunnellon area in Citrus Co.

I used a neighbor's blaster and primed it already. Just got to order the paint now.

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[JoCoSawdust]

I'm looking forward to seeing that paint color on an actual box.

 

[GalaxyRat]

Ace Hardware in Homassasa Springs came to the rescue today. I went to 2 Rural Kings, 3 Home Depots, 2 Lowes, 2 Wal-Marts, and 2 other Ace Hardwares.

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[GalaxyRat]

Couldn't wait until tomorrow to put on the first coat. [emoji2369]

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[GalaxyRat]

Just waiting to paint the logo and put it on, everything else is good to go! Thanks for all of the help, everyone. I'll update once it is finished and full of wrenches.

And a special shout out to JoCo for the logo rivets!!!

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[JoCoSawdust]

That hardware really cleaned up good and the color looks great

 

[GalaxyRat]

Alright, the box is done.

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[BajaScout]

Very nice!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks clean! Nice job.
.

 

[fishwatcher]

Looks great. I saw one of these on FB marketplace with a little rust for $20. How did you clean up the hardware?

 

[subroc]

Good job.