Tool Box Refinishing & Resale

[Spudland_Dave]

In my shopping for a new or previously loved box, I'm finding that if I go with something a little rough looking yet mechanically solid I can save alot of coin. I can refinish it myself (my FIL does really nice body work, so minus a spray booth I'm comfortable doing it no problem), or at what some of these are going for (cheap) I could probably have an auto-body shop do it for me too and still be ahead.

Resale wise, does having a re-finished box matter to anybody? assuming it was beautifully done and everything is perfect (new trim kit, etc) and does color make a difference? or should I plan on repainting with Genuine SnapOn Red?

Those of you who have refnished a box, would you do it again or is it one of those things you'll never wish upon your worst enemy?

2 weeks ago my MAC guy had a really nice tool cart which looked HORRIBLE, and he would have given it to me for a song with a complete set of new slides and trim kit....

 

[goodspeed]

I wouldn't care about a refinish, but I usually buy beaten to **** boxes and paint them, too. Personally, I don't care what color a box originally came in as long as it's not getting painted hot pink or something.

True SO fans would probably want it in one of the classic colors, though, i'm guessing.

 

[oneandgone]

I'm refreshing mine right now. Paint is done, still weighing trim options and considering a top as well. I would do it again, and don't think it can really hurt the value. After all it does look a lot better. SO dealer told me since it looks so nice they would give me $5000-7000 in trade if I was interested. I bought the box new and have probably had it around 12 years. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again in another 12 if needed. I do work at a body shop though, so maybe I have an unfair advantage? Here's a link with a few pics if you're interested...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=184292

 

[jjjrmx5]

Just like a car, a repaint is usually seen as a detraction rather than something that adds value.

The cost of repainting a box(especially a different color) is usually at the desire of the user . If outside and inside don't match it's an orphan to me. A toss box. At the price of good paint, sanding time and access to a correct down-draft booth you will have way more in the box than it's worth.

Factory boxes are either powder coated or single stage painted usually and often it is just easier to do touch up. All I see mainly on repaints is bad masking, cheap paint and a propensity for the paint to wear off or chip due to bad prep.

Thus back to the orphan attitude.

I see it all the time with car wheels and other items. "Spray Bomb" paint or a "buddy" with a gun and leftover paint and you turn $1000 worth of Benz wheels into a $200 set because you wanna "murder out" your car with black wheels.

If not keeping for yourself keep it simple with the clean-up unless you have a customer that wants perfect restores. Only high end swap meets and big shows pull in big bucks on full restores outside of ebay and local high $$$ clients I have found.

 

[Outlawmws]

I don't thing repainting box's for resale is a money making proposition if that is what you are asking.

If the finish is 90"% there and a simple detailing/rubout/waxing will make it presentable, go for it, but I only completely refinish the basket cases, and then only for my own use.

 

[Gregger Rod & Custom]

I love the look of a box that has the well warn look of experience. I deliberately shop for un-restored boxes with this look.

This is not to be confused with damage or abuse. (large dents, heavy rust from outside storage, paint splattering, etc) These boxes need to be repaired / restored.... but I wouldn't pay more for one that is restored than I would for one sporting an 'experienced' look..

 

[sberry]

Here is a thing to consider,, maybe,,, but you are an amateur in a biz where your Matco dealer is a pro, willing to be generous or so it seems and he is a guy likely knows a few body painter types would paint it for beer money but he doesnt do it ????

 

[crewchief888]

I don't thing repainting box's for resale is a money making proposition if that is what you are asking.

If the finish is 90"% there and a simple detailing/rubout/waxing will make it presentable, go for it, but I only completely refinish the basket cases, and then only for my own use.

all i've ever done was a good cleaning, but i dont buy boxes with the intention of selling them.

one roller cab that i salvaged from a scrap dumpster had fallen out of the back of a truck, the frame was tweaked to the point the drawers wouldnt open or close. it got beat back into "shape", and put to work. several years later is did get a "custom" repaint to match the race truck's paint job, and put to use as a pit box.

most of the boxes i've sold, i've regreted selling eventually

 

[Unmarked Bill]

I don't thing repainting box's for resale is a money making proposition if that is what you are asking.

Is buying and selling toolboxes a money making proposition? After 20 years in the guitar business I often wish I'd been drawn to something smaller like coins or baseball cards.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I don't thing repainting box's for resale is a money making proposition if that is what you are asking.

No its not for the purpose of reselling it...thing is, I can get a screamin deal on a nice 8 year old KRL from one of my BIL's buddies who is the original owner...he even said he'd warranty the 1 slide I need for me...1k out the door. Problem is, the box is a little bit smaller then I wanted...its like 55" ish wide...I had my heart set on a 72" wide Triple Bank. SOOO I dont mind picking up a screamin deal now...repainting it and then at least breaking even or "not loose too much" in the trade up to a big boy box when the time comes. Financially this makes much more sense to me, (Wife quit work to raise our kids...she already told me when she goes back to work we'll use the 1st year income to buy the things we did without for so long). But I dont want to be in a position of having 2500 bucks invested in something thats worth 500.00
Truth be told, if I repaint, its gonna go JD Green...if that wouldnt kill the return, otherwise it will go back SO Red.

Here is a thing to consider,, maybe,,, but you are an amateur in a biz where your Matco dealer is a pro, willing to be generous or so it seems and he is a guy likely knows a few body painter types would paint it for beer money but he doesnt do it ????

Thats IS an option...MAC guy offered to paint any new box I bought JD Green locally...so I know theres guys around who do it. I could even have it powdercoated. I get along real good with a production powder shop...every time I quote anything out I couldnt even buy liquid paint materials for what they charge me. Box is a bit more complicated then the farm equipment I've sent over though..

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I'm refreshing mine right now. Paint is done, still weighing trim options and considering a top as well. I would do it again, and don't think it can really hurt the value. After all it does look a lot better. SO dealer told me since it looks so nice they would give me $5000-7000 in trade if I was interested. I bought the box new and have probably had it around 12 years. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again in another 12 if needed. I do work at a body shop though, so maybe I have an unfair advantage? Here's a link with a few pics if you're interested...

Beautiful Work...yes you are my inspiration on what could be..

 

[FJ 432]

I re did my dad's box and it cost me probably 40 hours labor and I had it powdercoated to the tune of about $500. All this for a 1970"s Kennedy that I might be able to sell for $200. Although I did it to pass along to his namesake.

Refinishing boxes IMHO is a short, frenzied love affair that usually lasts a brief time. I'm glad I did it but I'm not sure if I would have taken that same path again.

 

[oneandgone]

Beautiful Work...yes you are my inspiration on what could be..

Thank you sir, much appreciated. I feel I need to add that a color change will be much more difficult than a simple repaint. It won't look right without changing the color inside and out and doing all those drawers will be a real pita. Plus when it gets scratched or chipped the prior color may show through underneath.

Sounds like your best option may be to strip it and have your guy powdercoat it. If I had been able to go that route for the same money I would have.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Thank you sir, much appreciated. I feel I need to add that a color change will be much more difficult than a simple repaint. It won't look right without changing the color inside and out and doing all those drawers will be a real pita. Plus when it gets scratched or chipped the prior color may show through underneath.

Sounds like your best option may be to strip it and have your guy powdercoat it. If I had been able to go that route for the same money I would have.

I hear ya...IF I would change color, I'd go whole hog...complete dissasembly, paint EVERYTHING inside & out, etc... But I'll tell you what I'm thinkin in terms of color change...because its still a current production box, what happens if I end up keeping this box and I want to buy a Hutch and/or side Cab instead of trading it in...then I'm in the position of having to paint a brand new Hutch & Side Cab.
I'd have to quote it out for the powder...figure I still have to work on the garage itself...so farming it out is VERY appealing to me.

Back in 2010 dealer I went to had this in the showrooom... A) It was too small and B) I swore i'd never buy a non tool truck box ever again. Otherwise, It would have been here long ago.