Re-purpose-ing an old box

[z28snksknr]

So my inlaws came across this old sewing box (not sure what it was supposed to hold) while clearing out their basement and offered it to me:

4 - drawers:

I actually kinda liked the design as-is - it had some cool qualities to it. So, I thought I would clean it up a bit by using some dilute degreaser. BAD IDEA. I guess the paint was oil based because after letting the degreaser sit for 30 sec, I hosed off all the paint

So, now I had a blank canvas to work from and decided to fool around with it and see what I could do. First was a layer of primer and gloss black base:

Then I went to Lowe's to pick a unique color to have some fun with. I found some "color-changing spray paint" that looked somewhat decent. For $20 a can, it had to work, right? So I bought a can and sprayed it (btw, all these pics were taken while it was still wet - the finish was a lot more uniform when done).

I was really pleased with the outcome. Every coat just made the effect more dramatic. I did have to vary my pattern with each coat to even out the paint since the nozzle was more of a fogging pattern than those nice fan shaped nozzles on other paints. Anyway, here it is with the drawers installed:

Fits perfectly on top of my little scrap tool cart:

Now I just need more tools to fill it!!!

 

[Stuart in MN]

The people from Antiques Roadshow will have a heart attack if they see those pictures... An old spool cabinet like that was probably worth a few hundred bucks to a collector.

 

[z28snksknr]

Like I said - I wanted to keep it as-is, just clean it up and the paint just about jumped off the thing. Oh well - it's actually serving a purpose now!!!

 

[mivwel]

Pity, pity

 

[Scout Driver]

BAD IDEA. I guess the paint was oil based because after letting the degreaser sit for 30 sec, I hosed off all the paint

Sad...but you turned things around. It turned out great!

Scott

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Interesting. Hey, at least it's usable!

 

[arkangel06]

Looks pretty good.

 

[mo2872]

That paint is way-cool......turned out nice!!!

 

[z28snksknr]

Just to put you guys at ease about the thing being some depression era treasure, it was made out of aluminum and the trays are plastic. It's not as old as it may have looked.

 

[SCscoutguy]

The people from Antiques Roadshow will have a heart attack if they see those pictures... An old spool cabinet like that was probably worth a few hundred bucks to a collector.

I saw one like that go at auction for over $2k a few months ago. Those things are worth serious coin.

 

[z28snksknr]

I saw one like that go at auction for over $2k a few months ago. Those things are worth serious coin.

See my above post. All the ones going for any kind of money on eBay currently are late-1800's wooden boxes- hand built. This one was faux woodgrain painted on cheap aluminum and the drawers were cheap plastic, as was the box bottom. No way this thing was worth any serious cash.

 

[cowboy73]

That paint is cool. I didn't know you can buy it in rattle cans.