How Do You Clean a Flat Black Toolbox?!?! Please Help

[Dominipino]

I was wondering how you guys coean your flat black tool box?

I'm looking to buy a KRA2422/2410 in flat black but I am afraid of messing up the finish. This will be my everyday box and an upgrade to a low end box that I own. Basically the last box I will buy and would like to keep it as mint as possible.

Lastly, how does the finish hold up to the guys that have owned it for a while.

Thanks so much in advance guys!!!

Harold

 

[jrobb316]

I believe snapon sells a cleaner.

 

[Dominipino]

Thanks! I want to try and avoid that route if possible as I dont want to keep hunting the dealer down.

 

[goodysgotacuda]

Go for the gloss if you plan on using it. There is nothing cool about maintaining a flat sheen surface. They all ****.

 

[racinfarmer]

How do you clean a flat black box? Buy a gloss black one.

 

[jrobb316]

I saw one on a truck and while it does look cool, he admitted its hard to keep clean. I'm a classic red guy myself (I have a KRL) but my royal blue KRSC is also a great color.

 

[Dominipino]

I was thinking the same thing. But the gloss black box with silver trim bothers me. Gloss black is nice though.

 

[Tiny Jackson]

After you clean it spray it down with some of that rustoleum black bedliner. Then it will ba like my 20+ year old Craftsman Rally toolbox that has held up awesomely.

 

[countryroad82]

As others said flat colors are annoying to keep clean but is doable. The best advice I can give is try not to handle the finish as much as possible. Grease and dirt grinds itself in pretty easy with flat finishes. You said you wasn't a fan of the gloss black with silver trim bugging you. Find a gloss box, pull the trim, and either order black trim or paint it. Win win!!

 

[WhiffySpark]

I was going to order the flat blue color if I did that but he had a silver on the truck. I'll try to ask him one day but he suggested glass cleaner for my box and stainless top now

 

[Derek1387]

Most high end automotive detailing websites have stuff for cleaning and detailing matte finishes. I prefer Adams Polishes, and Chemical Guys makes soem stuff for Matte finishes.

 

[ZRX61]

Why create work for yourself based on the fashion whim of some designer at the factory?

 

[tjmonsen5]

I find that the yellow windex works very well. It's for grease, and dries without leaving a residue.

 

[JJThrasher]

I use Mother's brand cleaner wax. Keeps my flat blacks looking great. Window cleaner is good for quick work.

 

[Dominipino]

As others said flat colors are annoying to keep clean but is doable. The best advice I can give is try not to handle the finish as much as possible. Grease and dirt grinds itself in pretty easy with flat finishes. You said you wasn't a fan of the gloss black with silver trim bugging you. Find a gloss box, pull the trim, and either order black trim or paint it. Win win!!

Im gonna ask if they can swap the handle at the factory. When you look at the catalog it says there are four color options for handles. I hope.

I use Mother's brand cleaner wax. Keeps my flat blacks looking great. Window cleaner is good for quick work.

.

Thans for the response everyone!

Can you post a pic of your box? Hows the finish after having it for a while?

 

[poorboy87]

I wipe mine down once a week with a microfiber towel and I Lucas slick mist it every now and again. I got it used and it was covered in stickers when I got it. One of them was a pain in the **** to get off and I ended up with a shiny spot on one of the drawers.

 

[JJThrasher]

Can you post a pic of your box? Hows the finish after having it for a while?

Last clean up halfway through. I only bother about once every six months. I'd rather make money than clean a box personally.

 

[kctyphoon]

Thie MIGHT help (??). You know that Hyundai Veloster turbo that comes in factory flat paint - ran into someone that had one and he's was saying how it's a PITA to clean. That he has to use special cleaners and such.. So here - maybe it can help u

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/motoram...o-matte-black-paint-comes-long-173756232.html

 

[Dominipino]

Thie MIGHT help (??). You know that Hyundai Veloster turbo that comes in factory flat paint - ran into someone that had one and he's was saying how it's a PITA to clean. That he has to use special cleaners and such.. So here - maybe it can help u

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/motoram...o-matte-black-paint-comes-long-173756232.html

Thanks man! After reading that, I think Im going to get the gloss black. I figure since its an everyday box, it just makes more sense. But I still want the flat.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

I had a flat black cart, I used Chemical Guys Matte cleaner. Made it a lot easier to clean once a couple coats was built up.


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[Dominipino]

I had a flat black cart, I used Chemical Guys Matte cleaner. Made it a lot easier to clean once a couple coats was built up.


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i really want the flat black. Hows the upkeep to you? Do you think its even worth it to have the flat? Does it still look the same as new?

 

[jonjon1]

I have 2 flat black motor cycles and 3 cars with hot rod black hoods, SIMPLE to clean, USE non ammonia windex.. been using it for years, was told to use it by arlen NESS, LOL, so I think its OK, I bought a suede black victory motorcycle (flat/matte.black) and I asked him what to clean it with, and he handed me a bottle of vinegar/windex, thats what they use on the showroom floor and I have been using it ever since, bought the bike in late 2012...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U5MWNJE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[hayhauler71]

Isopropanol alcohol and it is cheep

 

[atomicpunk]

I use window cleaner on my Snap-on KRL 1023, doing research on cleaning it found lots of Harley guys use it on their flat black bikes.

 

[Dominipino]

I use window cleaner on my Snap-on KRL 1023, doing research on cleaning it found lots of Harley guys use it on their flat black bikes.

Hey thanks for the input!

Can you post a pic of your box? How long have you owned it? What Im asking is is it easy to clean? That you dont have to be so gentle? How is the finish after having it for a while?

Like I said, its an everyday box and I dont want to be tippy toeing around the box?

 

[thegroundpounder99]

i really want the flat black. Hows the upkeep to you? Do you think its even worth it to have the flat? Does it still look the same as new?

I had the cart in a diesel shop for years, when I traded it in it looked brand new. Honestly it took 10 mins to clean once a week. (I always clean my boxes on Friday) They look good and yes, to me it's worth it. If I didn't out grow it I'd still have it.


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[scooterGA]

I have a Snap On in flat black. Like some of the other members use windex on mine. Tip from a car detailer and I like how it looks. I never move mine around the shop, it sits in one place so it does not get that dirty. I always had red boxes my whole career but when I saw the flat black on the truck I had to have it. Cranberry trim on mine and I love it.

 

[scooterGA]

Thought I'd post pic for clarification. Fingerprints today, I always clean box on Friday afternoon at end of week.

 

[Dominipino]

Thought I'd post pic for clarification. Fingerprints today, I always clean box on Friday afternoon at end of week.

Daaang! I love the trim. Thats a nice box man! I think Im gonna go for the flat black. Its nice to know windex will do the job. Ill post pics when its here

 

[oldldh]

How to clean a flat black toolbox???

With great difficulty!!!

Another answer...

Often!!!

Well somebody had to be the resident wise ***, didn't they???

 

[Waggoner72]

I personally used wd40 on the last one I had. Gave it a nice sheen, almost like a semi gloss.

 

[scooterGA]

Daaang! I love the trim. Thats a nice box man! I think Im gonna go for the flat black. Its nice to know windex will do the job. Ill post pics when its here

Thanks, Good luck with your purchase. I never had a black before now. Was always a red traditionalist. Traded in my last red KR1000 I had had forever for this one. The top for this one has been ordered but due to the color scheme will have to wait a little for it. Not an off the shelf combo but my Snap On man takes good care of me and I am patiently waiting for the top.

 

[countryroad82]

I personally used wd40 on the last one I had. Gave it a nice sheen, almost like a semi gloss.

If you worked in a body shop and someone saw you spraying WD40 on your box............. Let's just say it would be bad..........

 

[atomicpunk]

Hey thanks for the input!

Can you post a pic of your box? How long have you owned it? What Im asking is is it easy to clean? That you dont have to be so gentle? How is the finish after having it for a while?

Like I said, its an everyday box and I dont want to be tippy toeing around the box?

It's very easy to clean, just get a clean rag and spray the window cleaner on it and wipe. I found that it gets dusty more than anything, not a color you would want in a body shop.
I've owned it for 2 years now, traded 3 tool boxes in for it.
The finish is fine, no scratches but I don't do work on top of my boxes, prefer using work tables.
As for pictures every time I try to post pics on message boards the thread turns into a how to on posting pics.
I plan on getting the black bed liner coated top for it next year.

 

[K-Dog]

I have a flat blue box and it is not bad to keep clean at all.
I will admit 90% of the time I do use Snap-On matte finish cleaner, but I have been known to just grab a can of aerosol window cleaner too. The window cleaner streaks a bit more than the Snap-On stuff. I can just about guarantee the Snap-On stuff is someone else's stuff in another bottle. Perhaps a automotive detail page would provide the same stuff.

 

[Dominipino]

Thanks again to everyone that gave their opinoin. Much appreciated.

After a long wait it finally came. Still in black but...






Just a sidenote, I wanted a black box with black handles. My dealer tried to sell me the gloss black kra2422pc then sell me an extra set of black handles for $400. So I called Snap on and asked if it was possible to get the color combo I liked. They gave me a color code to send to my dealer and I was told therr was no extra charge. Wonderful dealer I have here.

Long story short, you can match the color to the trim that you like if its within the choices ie. extreme green with titanium handles etc at no extra charge. I did not know that.

 

[zakmartin]

I heard this stuff works well:

Flitz Fm 11506 Flat/Matte Finish Cleaner