Remline box

[wmb67]

Hi folks, I just picked up this Remline box and I'm interested in restoring it.
It's in pretty good shape, with keys, all slides/drawers work and no major dents.

It's lived the last few years in a damp barn, so it has a bit of surface rust/corrosion on the handles and pulls and on the box itself.
The chrome plating on the handles has failed, so I'll probably just clean them up and paint them.
The pulls, I'll drill out the rivets, de-rust and polish the pulls and replace the rivets with nuts/bolts.
I know that keeping the original paint is preferable, but I am almost certain that I want to reprint the boxes.
So that's my plan of attack, but I am open to your thoughts and suggestions, especially regarding prepping and painting the boxes.
Photos coming asap...
Thank you

 

[wmb67]

Sorry for the sideways photos- here are a few more pics.

 

[Hiatt1991]

I actually think that patina looks great. I wouldn't suggest painting it because it doesn't really need it. If anything, I'd consider painting the top of the bottom box but that's it.

 

[ryan20021982]

I love the Remline boxes, here's one I just finished restoring

View media item 75205

 

[wmb67]

Ryan, those boxes look great. Do you have a build thread?
What was your prep for paint?

 

[ryan20021982]

Ryan, those boxes look great. Do you have a build thread?
What was your prep for paint?

No I don't have a thread on it
I used some stripper first which didn't remove much but gets anything off that isn't cured to the metal, then alot of sanding but I didn't sand down to bare metal except for the spots that had rust. Then 2 coats of primer with a light sanding by hand after each and then 2 coats of paint.

I used Valspar primer and red paint but they didn't offer a gray I liked so it's Rustoleum, the Valspar lays so much nicer than Rustoleum does.

For the handles I drilled out the rivets from the inside and then used a soft wire brush on them and then 2 different compounds on the buffer.

Here's the primer and red paint I used

View media item 69966

 

[lrhredjb]

Sorry for the sideways photos- here are a few more pics.

Those pulls don't look too bad to me. You might want to try a small wire brush on a Dremel tool for cleanup. It may surprise you.

 

[thehorse13]

I have a Remline stack that is older than yours but is the same configuration. Mine is in about the same condition as your setup as well. I chose to leave mine as is with the exception of polishing all of the handles and giving the paint a good rub with cutting polish. It will amaze you how well the setup looks after doing these light steps.

Knowing personally how much work goes into properly repainting a box, I would consider trying the steps above before diving off the restoration cliff.

 

[wmb67]

No I don't have a thread on it
I used some stripper first which didn't remove much but gets anything off that isn't cured to the metal, then alot of sanding but I didn't sand down to bare metal except for the spots that had rust. Then 2 coats of primer with a light sanding by hand after each and then 2 coats of paint.

I used Valspar primer and red paint but they didn't offer a gray I liked so it's Rustoleum, the Valspar lays so much nicer than Rustoleum does.

For the handles I drilled out the rivets from the inside and then used a soft wire brush on them and then 2 different compounds on the buffer.

Here's the primer and red paint I used

View media item 69966

Thanks Ryan, I appreciate the additional info.
Did you remove the side handles on the top box?
If yes, did you paint them and how did you reattach them?

I'll remove the pulls to polish them and will use bolts and nuts to reattach and was wondering if I can use bolts and nuts to attach side handles.

Thanks thehorse13, I have some compound and finishing polish and pads, so after removing the pulls and handles, I'll give the both boxes a thorough buffing.
But I'm thinking that the boxes are in such good shape other than the paint that I'll probably **** it up and paint them. Though I may not paint the insides of the drawers, just the faces of the drawers and the bodies of the boxes.

I've had all the drawers out cleaning and lubing the slides and can't find any marking dates. Any ideas?

Thanks all, and keep the suggestions coming

 

[thehorse13]

...

Thanks thehorse13, I have some compound and finishing polish and pads, so after removing the pulls and handles, I'll give the both boxes a thorough buffing.
But I'm thinking that the boxes are in such good shape other than the paint that I'll probably **** it up and paint them. Though I may not paint the insides of the drawers, just the faces of the drawers and the bodies of the boxes.

...

This is the trap that everyone falls into. If you only paint the faces, you'll instantly kick yourself in the pants realizing that the box just doesn't look right.

Take my word for it, if you decide to dive off the restoration cliff, do the entire box.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have always liked them boxes

 

[ryan20021982]

Thanks Ryan, I appreciate the additional info.
Did you remove the side handles on the top box?
If yes, did you paint them and how did you reattach them?

I'll remove the pulls to polish them and will use bolts and nuts to reattach and was wondering if I can use bolts and nuts to attach side handles.

Yes I took them off and used bolts and nuts to reattach them, it's a pain to get the nuts on the inside but it can be done.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have only done one full size box. Had it media blasted, cost me 100$. Then just sprayed it with paint gun. Tried to sand by hand but would have taken a week. Plus tough to clean out corners...