Help restoring an S-K tool box

[Frankenpez]

Hello

Long time lurker, I really enjoy all the discussions on this site. Have a bit of a problem and wondering what some opinions might be.

I inherited my grandfather's S-K tool box and tools many years ago. They have been gathering dust in the garage as the sets are somewhat incomplete and I have a full complete set of Craftsman I use often. However, I recently pulled out the S-K tool box and was a bit ashamed that the box is even more rusty as well as some of the tools have bits of rust areas on them. A shame, I know.

To that end, I've decided to refurbish the tool box. It has a sort of wrinkle-finish to it, and I want to go with as close of paint as possible. I'm looking for opinions on what paints any of you have used to match an S-K green color. Hopefully someone has repainted an S-K box.

Any thoughts are welcome and appreciated.

Thanks

 

[nine4gmc]

in for info, I have one I would like to bring back as well. also, anyone know where to get the hardware(latches) for SK and Kennedy machinist boxes?

 

[kc-steve]

I've got an old Craftsman machinist box (Waterloo) with that brown wrinkle finish as well. I don't really like it because it collects dust and is difficult to clean but I can certainly understand the need to restore a box to its original finish much better.

I did a quick search on Amazon and found many brands still sell a wrinkle finish but matching the color is going to be a problem. Maybe it would be easier to contact the manufacturers or go to their websites and check their complete stock. The companies I found still making it are Krylon, Rustoleum, VTH and Plasticoat.

Good luck,
Steve

 

[Rickster55]

While not a perfect match, I really like Rustoleum Hammered Green. I've done a small box with it and loved the look.

 

[chopper1]

The Rustoleum hammered green is a pretty close match to the newer 'SK Tools' boxes, but the older SK diamond tagged boxes have the wrinkled dark olive drab finish. The color reminds me of when we mixed black and OD to paint our jeeps and tanks to darken the color. That color will be hard to match.

 

[Frankenpez]

Thanks for the ideas. I believe this toolbox is from the 40's or 50's, it has the diamond shaped logo. My grandad was a farmer and this was his main kit for the farm. I think what I'll do is clean it up and try that hammered green paint, probably not a perfect match but at least it stops the further decay of the box. Who knows, in another ten years they may just make "S-K Green"!

I'll get a few before and after pictures for those contemplating such a project.

Again, thanks!

 

[boro_boy70]

Rustoleum makes a wrinkled finish paint. Maybe paint with a wrinked finsh paint first, then us a green topcoat over it?

I got an accidental wrinkled finish on a vise I just did by not waiting long enough for the primer to dry before painting the top coat. It came out just like the old SK boxes, although not quite as textured. I left it like that, because it looked good. I don't know if you could duplicate it, as it was just a lucky accident. Try expiramenting with some old rattle cans, you never know.

 

[chopper1]

Rustoleum makes a wrinkled finish paint. Maybe paint with a wrinked finsh paint first, then us a green topcoat over it?

That's what I was thinking. But, the finish coats would have to be put on very lightly to maintain the wrinkled finish.

 

[mfgorilla]

Rustoleum has two greens in the hammered finish: "Verde Green" looks like a pretty good match for the newer SK boxes, but the "Deep Green" might be a better match for the older boxes.

 

[Rickster55]

By all means - we ALL love to see pics!! Will be waiting!