Toolbox cleaning

[ryanhewitt]

First post so please go easy....I recently picked up a used Mac MB 1300 11 drawer box. The previous owner(s) didn't keep it very clean. The drawer mats are completely soaked through/sticky. Inside the drawers the dust is now infused in the sticky substance.

My question is what should I use to clean it? The drawers are out and I've taken it to the coin op carwash, used the soap setting, and it really didn't do anything.

I just don't want to use something that's going to kill the paint.

If this is posted in the wrong area, please move.

Thank you in advance.

 

[akdiesel]

I would not spray the box or drawers down with water. It could rust out the bearings quicker.
I would simply use some WD40 or brake clean if it is bad and take your time to get it clean. Then spray the bearings with a lubricant spray.

 

[JJThrasher]

Windex and paper towels to clean all the dirt and grime off. Then use an automotive cleaner wax to bring out the old shine.

 

[wornoutoldman]

A quart of "Safety Kleen" solvent and a stiff brush to start. Follow with a rag full of clean solvent and wipedown. By now your box and drawers are looking good and ready for re-lubing/reassembly.

Unless you work in a shop that uses Safety Kleen you may have to head over to your favorite mechanic/shop and ask for some. Bring a case of good beer as a courtesy.

Congrats on the box and welcome to the GJ!

 

[box]

I used goof off (from lowes) on my box when I bought it used, took off all the boogers, over spray and unknown turds...

 

[Warrenator]

Wipe the unknown sticky stuff with a clean paper towel dampened with a variety of solvents and see if you are getting goo on the towel. Start with soapy water, then hot soapy water, then mineral spirits, then acetone. If you see toolbox color you are dissolving the paint, stop.


Probably mineral spirits are gentlest and easiest to get.

 

[ryanhewitt]

Thanks for the rapid replies. Looks like goof off and mineral spirits then. I was also going to try household cleaner (fantastic, 409, etc.) but assuming those won't work? Again thanks for all the info!

 

[Blue XJ]

I've had good luck using the Castrol Super Clean in the purple spray bottle as well.

 

[St-rider]

try a plastic paint scraper after soaking with the solvent. Gently test in a small area first to be sure it doesn't lift the paint.

 

[4BT]

Fantastik! And some paper towels cleaned out mine. Followup with 2 coats of TurtleWax on the exterior

 

[jwhcars]

Try WD40 , it removes a lot of sticky substances.

 

[ZRX61]

Formula 815MX made by Brulin. You'll wonder why you ever used anything else.

Caution with the Castrol Superclean, it strips paint & is HIGHLY corrosive.

 

[bob from indiana]

I used a citrus cleaner from walmart on the box I bought recently. Glass cleaner got the streaks off then Turtle color back wax made it shine. rubbing coumpound on the chrome drawer pulls finished it off.

 

[24X26]

Simple green or engine degreaser

 

[ryanhewitt]

More great advice! I have some fantastik! So I might try it, some drawers are pretty bad though. I thought about engine degreaser as well but heard it would take paint off? Again thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply.

 

[ZRX61]

How about some pics?

 

[NUTTSGT]

If it were mine, I would have tried Simple Green first or Brakleen.

 

[dale500]

If you have an ACE hardware nearby they sell a product called De-Solv-It® Citrus Solution. It is very effective on oily sticky stuff.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Fantastic first, it's what rustproofers use to get their **** off cloth interiors, so you know it's pretty gentle, yet effective. If that doesn't work, Simple Green or mineral spirits.

 

[24X26]

Simple green or engine degreaser will not remove paint.
I have never seen an engine degreaser take the paint off an engine compartment. They wouldn't sell very well if it did.

 

[James Aiello]

dove dishwashing soap, i use it to clean old engines. plus your hands come out nice and clean

 

[kippieland]

A long with simple green I would try spraying some laundry stain cleaner like Shout and let it sit for a couple of minutes and wipe off. Its murder on grease and won't damage anything. Plus it smells nice. I use it to clean my dirt bikes instead of a pressure washer. Great stuff!

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

oh brother ....

 

[zkling]

Simple green will not remove paint.

O yes it will. You can actually use this to your advantage to remove cheaper paints like rustoleum with minimal damage to the underlying factory paint. It will also corrode aluminum parts. Hence some formulations have been banned for use on aircraft by the FAA.

For cleaning greasy tool boxes I go from least to most severe.

Water, hot if possible
Car wash soap and water (the cheap purple stuff)
Dawn dish soap, orange stuff
70% rubbing alcohol
Simple green diluted
Simple green full strength (use caution)
Acetone (definitely use with caution)

 

[24X26]

O yes it will. You can actually use this to your advantage to remove cheaper paints like rustoleum with minimal damage to the underlying factory paint. It will also corrode aluminum parts. Hence some formulations have been banned for use on aircraft by the FAA.

For cleaning greasy tool boxes I go from least to most severe.

Water, hot if possible
Car wash soap and water (the cheap purple stuff)
Dawn dish soap, orange stuff
70% rubbing alcohol
Simple green diluted
Simple green full strength (use caution)
Acetone (definitely use with caution)

Simple green will not remove a factory paint job from a tool box.
If it was repainted with some crappy rustoleum then it should be removed anyway.

Water, Hot if possible is a good start.
Car wash soap and water. Mostly useless.
Dawn dish soap, orange stuff. good but better to go for stronger citrus cleaners.
70% rubbing alcohol is absolutely useless in this instance.
Simple green diluted is good and increase strength until it works (I'll skip your next idea)
Acetone. Unless it is paint overspray he needs to remove, another useless idea.

There are only two things he might need to remove.

Glue or gummy residue or oil based residue.

 

[ChevyEFI]

If the mats were stuck on there, I'd try a 3M 07498 wheel that rips vinyl stripes off paint without harming the paint. Reading your post again, this may not be the case.

 

[indyokie]

Love WD-40.

 

[4xdog]

I'd not use a purple cleaner without testing it -- it'll attack some paints (although you'd think a toolbox would be pretty tough...)

My first port-of-call would be either mineral spirits, or even simpler, diesel fuel. Pretty good degreasers and easy to use. I'd move to Fantastic-type sprays after the grotty stuff was taken off with a solvent.

 

[Davefr]

If it's as filthy as you say then start with mineral spirits and use a stiff brush.

For the real tough cleaning tasks, I haven't had much luck with cleaners like simple green, purple power or dawn. However it's probably a good idea to start with the safest/mildest cleaner you have and go up from there. The only downside is wasted time.

After it's clean you can use something like Meguires DACP.

 

[Stuart in MN]

However it's probably a good idea to start with the safest/mildest cleaner you have and go up from there. The only downside is wasted time.

Best response so far. Start with soap and water, then work up to harsher cleaners only if necessary.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Simple green will not remove a factory paint job from a tool box.
If it was repainted with some crappy rustoleum then it should be removed anyway.

It'll remove paint out of the inside of a parts washer.

 

[sberry]

Engine degreaser and back to the car wash.

 

[ryanhewitt]

Follow up: I got it clean. It took some time but it was worth it. I used fantastik for the easy stuff. If I rubbed enough, the paper towel would start looking the color of the box. I wasn't necessarily removing the paint down to bare metal, but something was happening.

For the heavy stuff I used the de solv it from Ace. The stuff is awesome. Removed the horrible adhesive that was used to hold the junk mats. This stuff is just awesome, can't say it enough.

I tried the Goof off on a test spot, and immediately the towel turned tool box color.

I didn't go with water/soap and water as I live in a community that would frown on the soap (although fine for cleaning birds) and the water running down the gutter.

Anyway, thanks again for all the advise!

 

[gipraw]

Simple green or engine degreaser will not remove paint.
I have never seen an engine degreaser take the paint off an engine compartment. They wouldn't sell very well if it did.

Simple green will not remove a factory paint job from a tool box.
If it was repainted with some crappy rustoleum then it should be removed anyway.

Yes, simple green can cause damage. It will remove paint from a toolbox, from a vehicle finish, from a valve cover or anything else it is put on if used in the wrong dilution, left to dwell for too long or not properly rinsed off.

It will damage the stitching and fabric on vehicle upholstery. It causes some aluminum finishes to tarnish and also can potentially damage wheel coatings, etc.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Yes, simple green can cause damage. It will remove paint from a toolbox, from a vehicle finish, from a valve cover or anything else it is put on if used in the wrong dilution, left to dwell for too long or not properly rinsed off.

Keep it away from rubbers and plastics, completely, especially wiring. A friend of mine would say, "don't ask me how I know."

 

[CGarage]

Best response so far. Start with soap and water, then work up to harsher cleaners only if necessary.

Best advice here, I agree. I use a mixture of HOT water, Dawn dish soap (very small amount) ~1/4 ounce, and a large amount of isopropanol rubbing alcohol (90 percent) mixed together in a spray bottle.

Dawn is an amazing cleaner and it is inexpensive. They use it to remove oil from affected wildlife as well. In a spray bottle it has a myriad of uses.

 

[nadogail]

My mother would have, if she were still alive, recommended Elbow Grease.

 

[CGarage]

O yes it will. You can actually use this to your advantage to remove cheaper paints like rustoleum with minimal damage to the underlying factory paint. It will also corrode aluminum parts. Hence some formulations have been banned for use on aircraft by the FAA.

For cleaning greasy tool boxes I go from least to most severe.

Water, hot if possible
Car wash soap and water (the cheap purple stuff)
Dawn dish soap, orange stuff
70% rubbing alcohol
Simple green diluted
Simple green full strength (use caution)
Acetone (definitely use with caution)

This is a good post.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

I realize the OP has finished his project. One of the items I did not see mentioned in this thread is automotive paint degreaser such as Acryli-Klean (sp?) It is designed to remove grease, oil and wax buildup and is very gentle. I have never had it start to remove the underlying paint. I usually try this after soap/water and Windex depending on the item I am cleaning. The last time I tried to buy Acryli-Klean, the price was through the roof, so I acquired a generic brand that works just as well. My final step before painting any bare metal is to wipe down with this while wearing latex gloves to prevent body oil from getting on the object I am going to paint.