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Tool Box Cleaner

MDSPHOTO

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 10, 2011
Messages
2,396
Location
Oz
What do you guys recommend for removing grease and oil from your tool boxes? I'm getting a pretty good build up on the drawer handles that I would like to remove.
 
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stage20

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Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
3,722
Location
pcola FL
i use foaming glass cleaner. when that doesnt work, spray it with simple green dry and wipe with dry micro fiber, then come back with foaming glass cleaner. i use mothers quick detailer as a top coat. helps hold the finish and wipe off he next set of dirt a little easier. i dont have show quality boxes, i just try to take care of them.
 

countryroad82

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Joined
Mar 18, 2011
Messages
3,447
Location
Kentucky
X2 on foaming glass cleaner. Every so often (about once a year) I might take a few damp rags and 'wash' my box before using some spray wax on them. But like stage20, I don't fret too much as I work out of my boxes, even my new krl7022 doesn't get the attention that some of these guys give theirs. Not knocking it, I just don't take the time.
 

Ohio Auto

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Joined
Dec 25, 2010
Messages
1,494
Location
Ohio
I don't think glass cleaner is good on paint...at least not windex.

I never use any type of cleaners on my box...it's a Snap on krl1000 that's close to 30 years old and the paint still looks awesome.

A clean dry terry cloth to wipe down my box then Meguires cleaner wax. All you will ever need.
 

jkwilson

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 5, 2012
Messages
758
Location
SW Indiana
I just use a rag with a little Gojo type hand cleaner on it and then wipe it dry with a clean cloth so it isn't slippery.
 

BDT/NWMN

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Joined
Jan 22, 2012
Messages
3,762
Location
Erskine, Mn
Been using WD40 for years... Supposed to be a Water Displacer with 40 uses....

Works good for this, and supposedly 39 other things.... I buy it in gallon cans,, That toolbox in the vehicle trunk that likes to rust, along with the tools.. Just open the lid and give the whole darn works a blast of WD40...

Sure you guys can dream up the other 38 uses.......

Not saying a nice toolbox shouldn't be waxed.. Pile of money standing there,,, taking pride in your equipment and keeping it in tip top shape and shined will cast a good reflection of you.
 

onewaydave

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 28, 2009
Messages
961
Location
Down the road from Dorothy and Toto
You mean Turtle Wax or Mothers doesn't make a tool box cleaner, degreaser, tar remover, UV shield, wax and cordless tools to apply them?

Dave. Wow, what a missed niche market!
(Please, this is meant tongue in cheek.)
 

AnthonyJ124

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 28, 2010
Messages
674
Location
Southeast
Dollar store citrus furniture polish!

It takes the grease off and has a little shine to it. I've been using it on my bicycles and shop stuff for years. I grab a half dozen cans of the "orange super shine" or whatever gimmicky name it has from dollar tree and it lasts me a year of cleaning my bikes, customer bikes, tools and tool boxes. It's CHEAP, doesn't do any harm, cleans/polishes well, and smells good. You can't lose!
 
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stage20

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Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
3,722
Location
pcola FL
Dollar store citrus furniture polish!

It takes the grease off and has a little shine to it. I've been using it on my bicycles and shop stuff for years. I grab a half dozen cans of the "orange super shine" or whatever gimmicky name it has from dollar tree and it lasts me a year of cleaning my bikes, customer bikes, tools and tool boxes. It's CHEAP, doesn't do any harm, cleans/polishes well, and smells good. You can't lose!
g
I use it on detailing interior. Not greasy like armorall and just leaves a sheen instead of this wet mess.
 
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M

MDSPHOTO

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 10, 2011
Messages
2,396
Location
Oz
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have one of the stainless Kobalt boxes, so not worried about the paint. I have some Zep orange cleaner that I guess I could use as a citrus based product. Thought, that orange smell rubs me the wrong way for some unknown reason.
 

JakeKohl

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Joined
Feb 23, 2012
Messages
1,365
Location
Greenville, SC
Been using WD40 for years... Supposed to be a Water Displacer with 40 uses....

Works good for this, and supposedly 39 other things.... I buy it in gallon cans,, That toolbox in the vehicle trunk that likes to rust, along with the tools.. Just open the lid and give the whole darn works a blast of WD40...

Sure you guys can dream up the other 38 uses.......

Not saying a nice toolbox shouldn't be waxed.. Pile of money standing there,,, taking pride in your equipment and keeping it in tip top shape and shined will cast a good reflection of you.

As I understand it, it was actually the 40th tested formulation that did the trick (trying to prevent rust on parts in transportation for NASA).
 

flynlow8740

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Joined
Oct 22, 2013
Messages
123
Location
Louin, MS
Misty all purpose cleaner. It's available on amazon. Hands down the best "spray it on wipe it off" cleaner I've ever used. Safe for paint and any other surface I can think of.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

78Bird

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Messages
528
Location
Charlotte, NC
I like WD 40 as well, it will get the nasty off, and if you don't want the slight residue it leaves behind any degreaser will take that off.

Also, Simply Awesome from the dollar store is a surprising good general degreaser/cleaner. Super cheap too!
 

mgilde13

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 24, 2010
Messages
274
I like to use 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner. It's safe for paint and it's typically used to remove rust and grease from automotive finishes in body shops.
 

stage20

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
3,722
Location
pcola FL
I like WD 40 as well, it will get the nasty off, and if you don't want the slight residue it leaves behind any degreaser will take that off.

Also, Simply Awesome from the dollar store is a surprising good general degreaser/cleaner. Super cheap too!

awesome is excellent at stubborn stains too.

i would not recommend it for a tool box cleaner. it can be harsh on some finishes.
 
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MDSPHOTO

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 10, 2011
Messages
2,396
Location
Oz
Tried the orange cleaner and it just seemed to smear the grease over the front of the drawers. Went with the WD40 and all the grease came right off. Additionally, there must have been a greasy film on the box when I bought it because the WD gave the thing a nice shine. With some parts shiny and some parts not I cleaned the whole box and looks brand spanking new.
 
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