Vintage SK tool box paint

[MoboMac]

Was wondering if anybody out there has found a match (or close) to the textured green paint on their old socket boxes....?

I have several that could use some help.

 

[Pumpman1968]

I believe the best suggestion I have read so far is to paint the "crinkle" finish black (no one has found it in the same color) and then match the paint over the black.

 

[uniballer]

Kennedy sells there own paint now. Check to see if it comes in green?

 

[Durka]

Looks like a hammer paint or finish from here. I believe rustoleum makes it. They have green, not sure if it's the correct green.

 

[Durka]

You could color chip it at a Sherwin Williams. One that deals with automotive paints. Pick out your color, -they can pack it in an aerosol can for you.

 

[Steinmetz]

You could color chip it at a Sherwin Williams. One that deals with automotive paints. Pick out your color, -they can pack it in an aerosol can for you.

Agree. Do this. Sherwin Williams does formulate custom paints. They will only match to the color you have. Not to the color that was originally applied.

 

[thundermug]

You may need to take the box to a place that mixes up specialty spray paint. It's not cheap, though.

 

[ganymede]

Boxes from that era were wrinkle paint.
Easy to find that type but not in that color.
In the posted pic it doesn't look too bad.
I'd just clean it and leave it.

 

[bonneyman]

I re-did a tote box for my niece in a forrest green metallic. Not bad.
But that was a newer, Dresser Industries-era box - not a vintage sweetheart like what you've got.

 

[Ralf11]

bump to see if there is a paint answer yet

I have that exact same socket box...

 

[d42jeep]

Check this post out.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8523261&postcount=52
I used that paint to touch up the bottom of this early S-K box by masking off the sides and top. Although it isn’t wrinkle finish, the color is very close.
-Don

 

[Ralf11]

Thx - I saw that but the idea of mixing a stain to go on top of the paint is too much for me. At least for an SK box...

 

[d42jeep]

I believe that the point of the post was that Lugz no longer needed to go through the stain process. In the example I posted above, I just masked off the intact original paint and sprayed in the area that was missing paint. I’ve used the paint on many S-K boxes with satisfactory results. Your results may vary.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I believe that the point of the post was that Lugz no longer needed to go through the stain process.

That is correct. From now on, I will be using Midwest Military's TM9 'Signal Corps Type I' on every 1940's OD green box project, military or not, including Plomb, Snap-on, and S-K. I may still use some techniques for "aging", patina, etc. But it is the closest to 40's toolbox green I have ever seen in a commercial rattle can.

EDIT: There are all kids of techniques for wrinkling (a coat of enamel before a coat of oil-based paint; a hairdryer; and others), but I still think the easiest solution is a base coat of wrinkle paint, any dark solid color, fully cured, followed by a very light coat of your final rattle can color.