de-greasing my tool box

[TheFuzz1779]

Well, after a lot of spraying, scrubbing, scraping and overall frustration I managed to clean a 6"x6" square on the side of the rolling box I just inherited. It is absolutely covered in machine shop grease and grime not to mention all the tar and nicotine from dads shop (he smoked like crazy back there).

So during all of this my wife walked out and made the brilliant comment "why don't you use oven cleaner?"

Any thoughts?

 

[00S4Boy]

Well, after a lot of spraying, scrubbing, scraping and overall frustration I managed to clean a 6"x6" square on the side of the rolling box I just inherited. It is absolutely covered in machine shop grease and grime not to mention all the tar and nicotine from dads shop (he smoked like crazy back there).

So during all of this my wife walked out and made the brilliant comment "why don't you use oven cleaner?"

Any thoughts?

oven cleaner will eat the paint off of it.

oven cleaner is a base, and a potent one at that.

I've actually found that in the world of chemistry the statement like disolves like is quite true. I've put some shine back in the pvc coatings on my pliers, and my hard handles, and my hammer handles just by slathering them in some wheelbearing grease working it in and wiping it clean.

 

[Scout Driver]

I would worry about oven-cleaner streaking or damaging the paint.
Try soaking it with Simple Green (full strength, don't add water). Give it a heavy application. Wait a day or so and spray it again. Repeat this process a couple of times and see if it loosens things up. A soaking with WD-40 might help to.
Otherwise....find a way to attack it with some steam.
Best of luck! Post some pics.

Scott

 

[ears]

Oven cleaner works great, may work a little too well though it can eat the paint right off at times. You might try it in a small area on the back and see how the paint holds up.

 

[TheFuzz1779]

Not too worried about the paint as it is going to get a fresh coat anyway. Its back to work tomorrow after two weeks off so this project will have to wait until Sunday. Not too far off though.....

 

[ujmchris]

If you have access to a steamer, it might work well for you. I picked up a cheap little "Scunci" steamer and I use it to degrease engine cases, along with a can of engine degrease. Pick up a pack of the yellow plastic scrapers and go to work!

 

[vssjim]

I have a friend with a hot water pressure washer that really kicks *** on everything he hits it with.

 

[ears]

Not too worried about the paint as it is going to get a fresh coat anyway. Its back to work tomorrow after two weeks off so this project will have to wait until Sunday. Not too far off though.....

If you are not worried about the paint EZ off it is. Heat it up with a heat gun first and it will come clean in a flash.

 

[RAYJAY]

what are you using on the box to clean it

i would use either ZEP Heavy Duty Citrus Degreaser or there purple power cleaner


Jeff

 

[Kurt4440]

If the box is getting new paint and is covered in grease, tar and nicotine, I would use some methylene chloride.

 

[djjsr]

Wipe down with mineral spirits then clean with Fantastik spray cleaner and finish with an automotive cleaner/wax.

Don't know if it's the best method but it always works for me.

 

[fatfillup]

If the box is getting new paint and is coverer in grease, tar and nicotine, I would use some methylene chloride.

Methylene chloride will work but it is extremely corrosive to you. Burns like hell and will eat a hole in your skin.

I like the degreasers mentioned above and then a hot water pressure washer to clean. You may be suprised at the condition of the paint underneath and have no need to paint. If you are sure you will need to paint, then the oven cleaner may be you best bet.

 

[Packard V8]

Not too worried about the paint as it is going to get a fresh coat anyway.

Your tool box, your money, your decision. Just be aware re-painting a box is a huge undertaking. There are lots of square inches of metal in lots of corners of lots of drawers, not to mention the slides inside the case. It takes more time to do a good paint job on a big tool box than it would on the average car.

thnx, jack vines

 

[fordbroncodave]

i would use brake cleaner. really works good for that kind of work

 

[Scout Driver]

Your tool box, your money, your decision. Just be aware re-painting a box is a huge undertaking. There are lots of square inches of metal in lots of corners of lots of drawers, not to mention the slides inside the case. It takes more time to do a good paint job on a big tool box than it would on the average car.

thnx, jack vines

I wouldn't be in a big hurry to paint it either. See how it looks after de-greasing, then hit it with some type of polish/rubbing compound. I have done this with tractors that have had stained, SEVERELY oxidized paint (to the point that it had a rough texture) deep scratches etc. and our end result has always been great. Don't give up on the paint yet!

Scott

 

[chadster1]

I have used full strength simple green with good results.

 

[mjozefow]

Oven cleaner is my go-to heavy degreaser. It has never hurt any paint I've used it on.

 

[Kurn]

I use xylene quite a bit,especially if I'm repainting.

 

[TheFuzz1779]

Thanks for all the replies. I understand that this will be a huge project and luckily I am in no rush to get it done. I am more concerned with quality than anything else. The only reason I am sure of a repaint is because of several holes that need to be patched where dad devised his own locking mechanism, which was cool and all, but given that it will live in my garage rather than a machine shop I have no need for the extra security.

I think I will try the Zep degreaser. There was about half a gallon in the lower portion of the box and if that doesn't work I can try something stronger.

 

[crewchief888]

i think i'd try simple green or something similar, at the car wash. some self serve car washes around here have hot (warm) water.

heat does wonders with caked on grease
just my $.02

 

[TheFuzz1779]

Update: Hit the box with the de-greaser with no real luck. Hit it with oven cleaner from the dollar store (I had the no fume can) and it cleaned right up. Didn't hurt the paint at all. Unfortunately, the paint isn't salvageable though....complete repaint is soon to come.

 

[Scout Driver]

Thanks for the update Fuzz. Keep us posted on your progress.

Scott