old snap on tool box

[f150girl]

My dad recently gave me his old snap on tool box (both the roll away and the chest) that needs to be cleaned badly...it is covered in dirt, oil and bird poop. What is the best way to do this?

 

[toxiclows]

simple green and a rag. then i would apply a nice automotive wax when it is all clean to protect and make it shine.

 

[930dreamer]

Post some pics if you can.

 

[spongerich]

It's worth taking the time to remove all of the drawers first. There are a few types of releases, IIRC, most of the Snap-On drawers can be removed by sliding a thin shim between the drawer and the slide, then pulling out the drawer.

As toxiclows said, start with Simple Green, then move up to more aggressive cleaners if need be. If you have access, hooking up a hose to hot water will speed things along... you can disconnect your washing machine if it's near a window and run the hose from there.

 

[fordbroncodave]

we need to see a picture of you beside the toolbox

 

[crewchief888]

i'd load it up and take it to the car wash for a good cleaning.

hot water, soap, and degreaser works wonders

 

[f150girl]

thanks for the ideas... car wash sounds fast but tool box is to heavy... and has old stickers on it I dont want to loose

 

[Packard V8]

car wash sounds fast but tool box is to heavy...

Gotta love a lift gate. When I bought my used F250, I thought the lift gate was the ugliest thing I'd ever seen. Now, if I ever sell the truck, the lift gate stays.

For those lacking a lift gate or a couple of large compliant friends, a bottle of spray degreaser, a bucket of hot water and plenty of work with a scrub brush will eventually do as well. Just takes a bit more time and elbow grease.

BTW, once the drawers are removed for cleaning, the cases aren't too heavy to move.

jack vines

 

[balane]

simple green and a rag. then i would apply a nice automotive wax when it is all clean to protect and make it shine.

I put Simple Green right up there with duct tape as a shop essential. The stuff does miracles that other typical spray cleaners can't approach.

 

[fatfillup]

Depending on how detailed you want to get and how much effort you want to put in it, disassembling the box is best but a ton of work. When I get a used box, we wait for a sunny day, roll it outside and wash it with car wash soap in warm water then pressure wash it off.(without disassembling it) Course my main business is pressure washers so that is easy for me. A garden hose will work also. Then I wash the insides of the drawers too. The take a blow gun, and blow the majority of water out of the drawers and pay careful attention to blowing water out of the slides. The with the drawers partially open, let it dry. In the winter, I'll use the torpedo heater to dry them. I wash the drawer liners with a degreaser on a flat surface and hang them up to dry. If you are concerned about water laying in the bottom of the box, you can remove the bottom drawer and wipe the bottom dry, I normally do.

As long as you get the box and slides dry, you will have no problem.

Good luck!!