Toolbox cleanup/restoration

[ProTinkerer]

My grandad ran an auto repair shop for 40 plus years and before he passed away he told me that he wanted me to have his tool boxes and tools.

There are so many tools to go through and clean up. I have started going through his boxes and so far this is my first project. This box sit on top of his two other Craftsman boxes. Im planning to do this one first as trial and error before getting to the other two bigger boxes.

After reading many threads and posts on toolbox restorations on here this is where I am. I took the route of giving the entire box a good blasting with a pressure washer. Then I took a scraper and scraped the gunk and goo out of the drawers. I just finished with a good rubdown with some 000 steel wool of the entire box.

This is where I am right now. Looking for suggestions and guidance as to what should be done next.

 

[countryroad82]

Me being me, I would probably try to slow the rust on the inside down and leave it be. All those nicks and scuffs were put there by granddad, you restore them and it's like you're erasing him off their history.

But if your determined to restore, blast it clean, etch and paint it.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Clean it with WD40, and cut drawer liners to fit the drawers and top compartment..

With the plastic bins added to the top; it is not what I would call a Golden Oldie.. Not an antique, but the sentimental value would be from Your Grandpa using them. Use it for what it was bought for; holding tools.

 

[skunkape1]

Rub in a good thick covering of carnauba wax, wipe off, and you should both shine it up and keep rust at bay.

 

[bdbecker]

Yep, I vote for keeping the patina from your Grandpa. Wax or oil it as already suggested, and maybe throw one of these in one of the drawers.

https://www.theruststore.com/40-Gram-Rechargeable-Silica-Gel-Canister-P46C27.aspx

 

[Cyberbear]

If your grandfather gave you his 40 year old 1976 pick-up truck, would you just wash it and continue using it as is, or, would you restore it and take pride in honoring your grandfather's memory by making it like new again??

 

[a52-830]

If your grandfather gave you his 40 year old 1976 pick-up truck, would you just wash it and continue using it as is, or, would you restore it and take pride in honoring your grandfather's memory by making it like new again??

it depends on how he kept it. if he used to wash it weekly and it just got away from him as he got older, i would restore it to the glory he would remember.

if it was something he took care of, but didnt obsess about the paint and such, neither would i. i'd just take as good care of it as i could.

but that is just me.

ultimately, either can be a testament to a grandfather. in the end, you are the only one you need to please.

 

[ProTinkerer]

Thank you all for the thoughts and suggestions. I feel like I want to get the rust out of the top shelf and inside of the cabinet. Will a dremel type tool with a wire wheel work?

I also want to be able to pull the drawer slides out to clean them up. What, if anything, should be used to lubricate them?

I like the thoughts of cleaning the box up and not doing a full restore on this one. The two Craftsman boxes may be a different story.

 

[bdbecker]

I use white lithium grease on my slides, seems to work very well in cold and hot weather.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

I have a box just like that, but with the Craftsman logo. I purchased mine sometime in the 90's, so I don't think that is a terribly old box.

If you like the "patina look", I would wash well with soap and water, dry completely, wipe down with wax/grease remover (such as Acryli-Clean), mask off the plastic bits and spray with clear enamel. I would apply Meguiars Natural Shine to all the plastic bits.

If you prefer the well-cared for look, simply substitute appropriate color paint. The thing about rust is that once it starts, it will continue unless you cut off the moisture/oxygen exposure.

 

[ProTinkerer]

An update on the toolbox cleaning.

I filled my wheelbarrow up with some purple power and water, let it sit for about ten minutes, air dry and wiped it down good.

It is free of all grease and residue even in the hard to reach corners. Slides cleaned up well too. I think Im going to wax it and grease the slides and see how it looks from there.

There are some paint chips and light surface rust insidd the cabinet where the drawers will go. Hopefully it wont spread more.

 

[ProTinkerer]

Waxed the toolbox tonight and cut out some turf that I have been hoarding for something to come along like this. Also took the black bottom corner pieces off, may or may not put them back on.

Would still like to clean up the plastic top to get it looking brighter and grease the slides.