Matco Performance Series Box Rusting

[brett39532]

So a while back my box went underwater during hurricane Katrina down here on the coast. It was washed with freshwater and cleaned the best it could have been but that was 2 weeks after the storm. So it is starting to rust now and has over spray all over the box which was their when i purchased it second hand. So my question is what would you guys do just sand and touch up the effected spots and just leave it be or paint the entire box? Looking for suggestions on what you guys would so i was able to polish the chrome up and get the tarnish off by using some mag wheel polish it also removed some of the over spray as well.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The corners are going to be the absolute hardest area to "sand and paint".

Might want to plan on a full repaint if you plan on keeping it for a number of years down the road. It's not getting better by itself. You can slow the rust now or remove and prevent any at all. Gotta pick how much time and resources you want to invest in it.

 

[Wamsutta]

From my experience painting tool boxes, in order to use a finer sandpaper so that you don't leave a lot of scratches is to wet sand. Wet sanding unloads the sandpaper grit so that it will continue to have a bite without resorting to a coarser grit. Start out with 320 and finish up at 400. If the original paint is not adhering well, take it down to bare metal. Do not let the paint dry in between coats; just let it flash off. If using a rattle can, skip the primer and do 3 top coats. The first coat is just a very light tack coat. The succeeding 2 coats are progressively heavier.

Paint on a hot dry day where there's absolutely no wind and recoat as soon as the previous coat flashes off. 5 minutes in between coats on a hot summer day is in the ballpark. A stopwatch is almost essential. Make sure the spray can has been stored at 100F for at least 24 hours before painting. Shake the can religiously. Clean the spray can tip with lacquer thinner or carb cleaner in between coats. All you have to do is stab the sprayer tip with a wet acid brush.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ This. If Matco box has sentimental value to bring it back to original condition, then go to effort to restore it.

Looks like a very nice lifetime box if that rust problem is fixed. Good luck.

 

[Hammer1963]

I would more concerned about what you cannot see. Salt water has wicked into every possible crack, crevice and void in the box. You need to neutralize the salt water with something other than chlorinated water like a baking soda solution and then saturate those areas with a rust converter. That is probably your best bet. Th exposed areas with rust will not be an issue. Sanding and abrading with a variety of tools and accessories will work for the outer surfaces. Follow up with metal prep and an acid etch primer. This is a similar process used on any ferrous surface restoration.

 

[lbhsbz]

I'd call your insurance company and file claim.

 

[d.mcfarland]

It's been a long time since Katrina. Not sure the insurance company is going to pay...