tough grease on snap-on toolbox...

[fenugrec]

Hi all,
I just got an old KR537B snap-on tool chest (can't read the date code, but it's way older than me !).
I'm stripping it down for a total clean + re-grease (the slides are without ball bearings), but I'm having trouble with some old grease left on the drawers.
The sliders I can just dip into some solvent, but I really don't want to use something like acetone on the drawers & wreck the paint. I've tried dish soap (no worky) and "Fantastik" household degreaser, which sort of works but this grease is tough. It's yellowish white, and sticky as hell. What else can I use to cut out that grease without harming the paint ? I'm going to try TSP next, but I'm not sure how well it'll work...

My other dilemma is - what to do with the rust. The left side (second pic) of the drawers is a bit rusty. I'm wondering, should I grind the affected areas then paint ? Or grind+ prime + paint ? I really don't have the time or the motivation to re-do complete panels and drawers, but I'd very much like to get rid of most of the rust...

It came loaded with a bunch of tools - mostly snap-on, some old Gray (made in Canada - yay !) & misc brands. I have a couple tools I can't for the life of me identify, and the internets aren't helping... I'll post a seperate thread with pics. (Snap-On CPT100, MD-17, FB-309W , Gray 655)

Thanks!

 

[allapanoo]

Simple Green

 

[sgrammel]

Meguiar's Super Degreaser

 

[Bull]

Try some WD-40.

 

[Zrexxer]

Another vote for Simple Green.

 

[Dale B]

Varisol , or paint thinner , scrub with a parts brush . That looks like plain ol' lubriplate or other white grease...

 

[fenugrec]

Thanks for the tips.
I'll be carefull with varsol, it gets to paint pretty quick IME...
Also : will lithium grease be easy to clean in a few years ? or does it dry & get infernal like the stuff I'm dealing with...

Today was pretty cold to be working bare-handed (about -5, maybe +1 in that shed), but tomorrow is supposed to be warmer. Gah, can't wait to have a real workshop/garage.

 

[rsanter]

simple green and a toothbrush sized nylon or wire brush

for the rust, wire wheel, primer and paint

bob

 

[Az Scooter]

Put me in the WD40 camp. That is one of the things that it is designed for.

 

[Jokeman]

Meguiar's Super Degreaser

Great stuff with tons of uses!

 

[fatfillup]

Temperature will affect how well a degreaser especially water based ones work. Warmer is better. The chemicals react better and faster and the grease will also be softer. Any chance of putting a space heater in the shed or doing the job inside. Even a heat gun to warm of the surface you are working on would help.

Diesel fuel or kerosene will also work and won't harm the paint.

Dwell time is everything when trying to disolve old grease. Give your product plenty of time to work.

 

[mkdive]

1. Break Free CLP
2. Meguiar's Super Degreaser
3. WD40

All great cleaners IMO.

 

[Mickey O]

I'm with the guys that said WD-40, I've done many, many, tool boxes and it's worked every time, I also use a typewriter brush (like a really stiff tooth brush).

 

[glsmaverick]

Check out your local dollar store and look for some yellow stuff called "Awesome" it works better than any degreaser I have ever used and its only a dollar a bottle. Its good stuff.

 

[Mickey O]

Check out your local dollar store and look for some yellow stuff called "Awesome" it works better than any degreaser I have ever used and its only a dollar a bottle. Its good stuff.

Awesome!








..

 

[fenugrec]

Wow, I can't believe how many great answers I got in so little time.
I spent the afternoon scrubbing, got the 7 small drawers + slides de-gunked.

WD-40 : awesome. It even cleaned the toothbrush I was using ))
TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) : this is way under-rated. It does a great job to remove the last oily / greasy film on the drawers, and it's cheaper than most degreasers I know. Just wear gloves though cause it's hard on skin...

Almost finished !
Thanks for the tips guys.