Pulling trigger on Krl1022

[Jake708]

Hi guys. First post, but I've read 1,000s here. I love this place! The only thing I have found negative is that I stay awake way too late reading the posts.

I need some input on a potential KRL1022 I'm about to buy. It's a few years old and in pretty good shape. It needs a good cleaning and some of the drawer liners have rust spots and grime. It has spent its life in an automotive garage environment and the rhino-lined top has oil or similar spots/stains.

Here's where I can use some advice:
Will the oil spots come off the top? What's the best way to do that?
How about the initial cleaning? Take the drawers out and wipe it all down with some simple green seems like a good approach. Yay/nay?
Anybody ever scrub their drawer liners or put them in a washing machine? New ones from SO are around $200. Yikes!

I'm buying this for my home garage as I have outgrown my Craftsman chest and it needs to be as good looking as it is practical.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[454ragtop]

I bought a used KRL1001, thought for sure the liners were junk, grease and rust stains galore. Just for the hell of it I tried cleaning them with Castrol Super Clean and a scrub brush. I was working on top of an old window glass, but any flat hard surface should do. I was truly amazed, they came out awesome, and are still in the box to this day. A couple I flipped over because of rust stains that wouldn't come out, but at least the dirt and grease was gone.

 

[Jake708]

Glad to hear that, Ragtop. Thanks. The liners are in good condition, no rips etc., just rusty and dirty.

 

[Hammer1963]

I have owned a KRL 1022 for several years. They are great tool cabs. I recommend using a clay bar to clean the outside after a good washing. If you use and cleaner/degreaser, rinse quickly and thoroughly. Follow with the clay bar. If you are unfamiliar with using a clay bar, read the instructions before using. Once you have performed that procedure, apply Lucas Slick Mist to the exterior and watch it come to life.

I will echo Ragtop's suggestion on the drawer liners. I have on occasion, applied furniture polish on the drawer liners that I use to store metal tools.It brightens the liners and adds a bit of protectant to the tools.

Use a similar cleaning procedure on the top surface, sand and prep and apply bed liner for a nice new work surface

 

[chrisnazzy]

I have a KRL1001 (same box but only 1 full width drawer) and I wipe mine down with a spray detailer from time to time. I definitely agree that if the paint is really dirty and dingy a clay bar will work wonders.

The drawer liners are very serviceable and they certainly can be flipped over if any are really bad. I wouldn't pull all the drawers out.....there probably is no need to.

So what color? Pics?

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Jake708]

You guys are making me feel a little better about the liners. Whew!

The box is black with some red trim. Has SS symbol on it. I can't find a picture of one like it. Not sure why.

 

[SuperCat]

Consider getting additional insurance? Maybe home owner's policy does not cover it in case of fire, flood, or theft? Does anyone have experience in these situations? It is not every day that we spend $3-4000 on a toolbox, got to make sure your investment is covered. If you decide to get that box, you gotta post pix of your score!

 

[AngryBeaver]

I've owned a 1022 for about 5 years.

Wait for a 1023. I've got too damn much money adding end cabs and lockers to fit the **** I need.

The "paint". Should be powdercoat

Simple green or Castrol super clean will get rid of the major gunk.

 

[Jake708]

I'll definitely post some pictures. I'm going to take some before I clean it up pictures to compare with the all spiffed up pics.

 

[ssdave]

I bought a used KRL1001 a year ago; I cleaned the greasy/oily/dirty liners with paint thinner and a rag, and they came out great. Did the same where oil or anti-sieze or grease was on the drawers, they cleaned up great.

It's a great box, love the depth of the drawers and the overall size. Big enough to hold a good share of a mechanics tools.

 

[Wamsutta]

Take the drawers out and wipe it all down with some simple green seems like a good approach. Yay/nay?

Nay. Unless you're going to pressure wash it, Simple Green is very corrosive if not rinsed off with water. Save it for pressure washing the car.

Use either WD-40 or a body shop paint prep solvent.

 

[Mr_B]

nice usable box with good storage capacity thanks to depth.
I tend clean with wd40 unless seriously dirt mess, then use water based degreaser and second clean with wd40 .
Would pull the drawers and clean slides up too and check for debris and stray tools and surface rust .
If price and condition is sensible and big enough for your needs can't go far wrong.
If liner flat and not marred or ripped you doing okay and should clean off quite well, rust being hardest stains lift . top possibly hardest get as would like mainly due to fact you look at it so much, rifinishing with truck bed liner is an option and can work well .

 

[Jake708]

How do you remove the top from the box? Is it fastened from the underside?
I like the refinishing idea and would prefer to remove the top to do that.

 

[AngryBeaver]

take the top drawer out and remove the 4 bolts