Tool Box Clean up and Paint

[JeremyBurke]

I need a little help, I am cleaning up and semi restoring a tool box I just picked up. I was hoping to match the paint of this box to fix the issues. Does anyone know anything about paint codes for New Britain boxes. It is Labeled NAPA and looks Orange but seems more red on the unexposed areas. Thanks for the help.

 

[JeremyBurke]

Sorry forgot the pictures.


My dream is to one day be as funny as I think I am.

 

[zkling]

Lots of older boxes like that don't show their true factory colors. It more than likely was standard tool box red, but has since faded to that orange you see. Many of the makers from that time period had a problem with fading paint. It is really hard to match faded paint even with a chip sample and all that. Closes bet will be like you did and pull it from an unexposed area. Even then it is still probably faded compared to what it looked like in the factory.

If you want an entire repaint, on the cheap Rustoleum sunrise red is a pretty good match.

 

[Bigplum]

Is the top lid ribbed? ,
I've seen a similar box on eBay ,but with no name and different handles but the same circle of steel on the front panel

 

[JeremyBurke]

Is the top lid ribbed?

No it is flat.

 

[JeremyBurke]

Lots of older boxes like that don't show their true factory colors....If you want an entire repaint, on the cheap Rustoleum sunrise red is a pretty good match.

Thanks for the tip. I am still debating a complete repaint (helps with rust and shines it up). or just the drawer bottoms where its bad (liner will hide any variation from the old). I really like the older faded paint look a lot and it is a tool box to use. After all as you can see from my avatar I have enough rusty things to fix.

 

[JeremyBurke]

I haven't quite finished cleaning up the last one and I just got another. This is going to become my Welding cart. Drawers will hold all my clamps and miscellaneous items and the jacket and helmet in the bottom. I will hang a perch off the side (like a side box) for the argon tank and put the welder on top. Don't know if it was a good deal but it is exactly the one I wanted and I love it.
I tried to get a picture of the stamped date code but I couldn't get it. If someone can point me in the right direction to find it I would love to know.