Toolbox Paint

[Zaylor]

Hello Garage Journal. This forum has so much brilliance, I love looking at people's ideas to create something out of nothing.

I'm new here. I'm a college student. I've been rapidly becoming obsessed with DIY ideology. I thought I'd introduce myself by showing a recent project, tell me what you think.

Keep in mind that this was my first time doing a project of this type. I had plenty of beginner problems, such as wet-sanding through to previous layers. I also didn't know that acetone wasn't an acceptable degreaser between coats

1. Bought a beat up Craftsman toolbox from a thrift store for $15. This is the first tool box I have bought

2. Took out all the drawers and rails, tried to tighten things that were loose and loosen things that were tight. I put lps 2 on the slides. Anyone know a better slide lube?

3. Did my best to take the bends out of the sheet metal.

4. Started thinking of different ways to paint it. Got this idea that this tool box HAD to be red white blue. There was really no other option from this point forward but to DO IT.

5. Sanded (bought my first power tool for this step) There was some pretty deep rust.

6. Primed. I drilled out the rivets for parts that would fall within the swath of my rattlecan. ( I now know that since I went to bare metal, I should've used self-etching primer.)

7. Made a star pattern and painted it on the top.

I just cut the stencil out of paper and used some stencil adhesive I found at the craft store. The paper was okay, but the adhesive sucked and my edges didn't stay put. This lead to horrible lines on my design... What is the right thing to use? I wanted to use some type of adhesive film, but was unable to acquire any. What is the right thing to use, Garagejournal?

8. more coming soon

 

[Pro-Painter]

"Sticky mickey's masking film" is what it is called. It is basically a 12", 18" or 24" wide masking tape with a smooth, paper like surface. You apply the paper, draw the design you want and cut it out with a xacto (sp?) knife.

 

[ZRX61]

Yup, Sticky Mickys is the stuff
Bottom of this page:
http://www.tcpglobal.com/autoaircolor/autoairstencil.aspx

(& the stuff directly above it)

 

[RHD 4 LIFE]

I use sticky vinyl shelf paper!

 

[Zaylor]

"Sticky mickey's masking film" is what it is called.

Excellent. Does it have nonadhesive backing? Or else I am confused as to how you would cut out a design before applying it to the work.

I use sticky vinyl shelf paper!

The shelf paper seems like it would work too and be durable, except how well does it make corners?

 

[Pro-Painter]

Yes it has a sticky backing. You cut it out after it is applied, not before. You lay it on, draw the design and then cut it out and remove the cut outs.

 

[1steve]

Frisket masking film.

 

[larryq]

Love what you're doing Zaylor. The tips given here should help keep those edges sharp. Be sure to post back when you're done with the project.

 

[machine_punk]

You could do this the other way around...paint the box white, buy some commercially-available star decals (or go to your local sign store and have them print a few out on vinyl, along with your name and any other information you want permanently-painted on the box)...put your stickers and letters on the now-white box. Paint over that with blue. Peel the stickers off. Now, you have white stars and letters on a blue field.

M_P

 

[USMCdodge]

I learned A LOT on the first box I did. you will be proud of it no matter what. my cabinet was the first thing i did. not the best by a long shot but its my fav thing in the garage for sure.

 

[Zaylor]

Yes it has a sticky backing. You cut it out after it is applied, not before. You lay it on, draw the design and then cut it out and remove the cut outs.

So am I missing something, or would you be xacto-ing into the work piece?

 

[Zaylor]

You could do this the other way around...paint the box white, buy some commercially-available star decals (or go to your local sign store and have them print a few out on vinyl, along with your name and any other information you want permanently-painted on the box)...put your stickers and letters on the now-white box. Paint over that with blue. Peel the stickers off. Now, you have white stars and letters on a blue field.

M_P

I think that is the best way to do this.

 

[Zaylor]

Here she is. Can't beat the Stars and Stripes.

I'm happy with how the stripes came out just using masking tape.

What do y'all think?



I am not quite sure what to do with the front. Originally I planned to just leave it, because...I like something about the old, beat up look and the UV'd Craftsman logo. However, now it looks out of sync with the rest. And...I don't like how it's corroded.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I will throw on some clear coat soon.

 

[crewchief888]

You could do this the other way around...paint the box white, buy some commercially-available star decals (or go to your local sign store and have them print a few out on vinyl, along with your name and any other information you want permanently-painted on the box)...put your stickers and letters on the now-white box. Paint over that with blue. Peel the stickers off. Now, you have white stars and letters on a blue field.

M_P

contact paper
(the stuff mom used in the kitchen cabinets back in the 60's)

did a SO roller for the race trailer in the same colors, 'cept with lightning bolts.

 

[Pro-Painter]

So am I missing something, or would you be xacto-ing into the work piece?

It will if you press down too hard. You got to cut it easy and be careful not to cut on the line. Even if you do cut down a little, the paint from the next spray will fill in the knife marks.

 

[Zaylor]

Sewed some wrench holders for my Gearwrenches 'cause I didn't want to buy them.

 

[bobemmerich]

That's really cool. Nice job on the box. I say continue the theme on the front of the box, but leave the drawers as-is. I think it would look cool. Maybe do the C-man logo in r/w/b, too?

 

[Zaylor]

Thanks bobemmerich.

So just continue the stripes? I think I could do that. My girlfriend says I should just use the red on the front. Hmmm. I am leaning towards the stripes like you said.

Maybe do the C-man logo in r/w/b, too?

What are you seeing here? I'm intrigued, but you'll have to help me see what you're seeing...

 

[jeffmoss26]

Just found your thread...saw one picture in the toolboxes thread. Looks great!

 

[NUTTSGT]

That box for 15 bucks, yeah you deserve this.. .

you ****


Box looks good but I would do something with the front. Maybe continue the stripes around front and toss some blue stars in the white stripes.

 

[buening]

What about the entire face red (including drawers) and then remove the drawer grips (aluminum pieces), paint them white, and then slide them back onto the drawer? It'll keep the stripe effect, but won't necessarily match the sides and back.

 

[Zaylor]

Hooray, I got a 'you ****'!

You guys are right...I need to do something with that front. Buening has an interesting idea there, painting the grips white.

Quick question...when I go to re-attach the rivets I drilled out, will pop-rivets be substantial enough?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Depends how well they spread out on the backside. You could use some stainless steel allen headed bolts. It should look nice.

 

[geologist]

The box looks nice. If I were you, I would buy a couple of cans of clear coat and go over your existing paint with a couple of dozen light, overlapping coats - then you could probably buff it to a really nice, even shine, so when your box gets dirty it would be a lot easier to clean it without having to worry about destroying your work.

 

[Zaylor]

The box looks nice. If I were you, I would buy a couple of cans of clear coat and go over your existing paint with a couple of dozen light, overlapping coats - then you could probably buff it to a really nice, even shine, so when your box gets dirty it would be a lot easier to clean it without having to worry about destroying your work.

That's the plan after I paint the front...but a couple dozen? I was thinking wet sand and do 3.

 

[geologist]

That's the plan after I paint the front...but a couple dozen? I was thinking wet sand and do 3.

3 light coats, a wet sand, 3 light coats, a wet sand, 3 light coats, and a buff job.

 

[Zaylor]

3 light coats, a wet sand, 3 light coats, a wet sand, 3 light coats, and a buff job.

Ah. So 3 light coats before doing any wetsanding? And what goes in to the buff job?

much appreciated,
Z

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Box looks good but I would do something with the front. Maybe continue the stripes around front and toss some blue stars in the white stripes.

+1