For anyone trying to restore these Craftsman tool chests/boxes, the Rustoleum Sunrise Red is a near perfect match to the original. For boxes that have the dark grey color on the drawers use Rustoleum Black Stainless paint. Don't let the word "black" fool you. It's a nice dark grey color. Trust me you will be happy with results.
@@militarysniper6625 Just fit the newer ballbearing slides if possible, Probably the only source now is another broken toolbox that they could be salvaged from.
Dang that red really worked great and I am well pleased with the results! Got a dark gray color for drawers because I couldn't find the black you spoke about. Thanks for the advice and will use in the future!
Brasso and an old t-shirt works great for taking rust off anything chrome. I use it on old 10 speed bicycles all of the time and get a great shine without scracthing.
I’d have disassembled it completely and used broader strokes to avoid the tiger stripes in the paint, but it’s clean and being used so I can’t complain.
How do you get the top toolbox off of the base so basically disassemble it into 2 boxes like he did? Maybe if I can take the drawers out, I’ll find a bolt?
mine has the same runners as yours, I'm planning on using graphite oil fo trh runners and keeping a can inside for oiling as needed. Will spray Lithium greasue into the wheel ball bearings. Great idea on the clearcoat.
i restored a craftsman chest/cabinet upper and lower nowhere near this bad - a little rust in a couple drawers and outer cabinet - sanded it off primered and spray painted with i think the rustoleum sunrise red and a black for the black parts... Could not believe how long the red paint took to dry compared to primer or black - both dry to touch within 30 min vs 2+ days for the red. You spent a lot of time and money to restore toolboxes that one could pick up in good/excellent condition for as little as 100 depending on series. Great to fix rather than replace but at some point you have to ask yourself if it makes financial sense and if the amount of time you spent is worth it. I probably spent about 2 hours and 20 bucks in paint to clean up mine - which i wanted to use them inside my house
Tons of different wayst to do it, for free tool box you do HOWEVER you want man, looks greati like the black against red. I just did mine now I'm thinking of redoing drawers that black. I wish i saw you clear coat it, not sure if you did. i probably wont, i bought #0000 steel wool (couldn't find 600grit sandpaper) i quickly did top and got some of my tackiness off (i sprayed in wind). thanks for video. PS i'm sure you know but like other poster said - taking drawers out easy (well, after I googled it), i was taking so long taping i got pissed, looked it up - one little screwdriver or recip blade and took 40 seconds. Total.. (Once i knew wehre to look). Your chest looks awesome. Sell it back to your buddy ha :)
What does the bottom door hinge on? I have a similar box and the door doesn't have the pin thing anymore and the hole is just a 1/2" or so wide square all the way through. I'd assume some sort of dowel but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, great video.
I usually don't comment but I need to. 1. NEVER sand or grind any dirty metal surface. Wash it. Several times. Otherwise, you are grinding impurities into the metal. You'll get fisheyes and the paint will fail at some point. You should wash it, then grind it, then wash again, then sand with 600 grit to give the paint "tooth." Wash again. THEN wax and grease remover (or acetone) . Then tack rag. Then paint. 2. Mouse droppings are hazardous. You shouldn't be power washing that crap without eye protection, wearing sandals or wearing shorts. 3. NEVER spay bomb in direct sunlight or on a windy day. You'll use a ton of paint, you'll get orange peel and your paint will flash very quickly and you'll get "tiger stripes" which is exactly what your finish is.
Thank you for this comment. Im attempting to paint a snap on toolbox from the 90s and have no previous experience. I have 3 questions i hope you can answer. 1. If you want to rid of any impurities before sanding and grinding wouldnt you want to use acetone first to remove any greese? 2. A dumb question but how does sandpaper add tooth. I thought that it serves the same purpose as the grinder which is to smooth out the surface 3. Will using a wire wheel power drill attachment work better than sandpaper because it creates a bunch of scratches that seem to add even more texture
@@randompenny8396 1. Tool boxes are usually filthy & greasy. So yes, washing it down with acetone or 99% isopropyl alcohol would 100% work. Keep washing it until your rag is clean. You can't get it too clean. Failure to do so will grind oil into the metal surface and your paint will fail. 2 Sanding puts scratches into the surface, giving the paint a chance to stick. 3. A wire wheel is probably going to leave deep scratches which will show when you paint it. It depends on the scratch but you could spray some self etching primer then some primer filler. Sand it with 600.
Looks good. I almost wonder if it would have been better to clean it up and leave the factory powder coat / paint on and just sand/paint the insides of the drawers. Unless there was rust on the outside too
My dad left one of these in storage when he died but it's missing a few drawers . He didn't get to go back and get them before he died and my brother has gotten rid of them. Are there replacement drawers that I could buy or anything? I'd love to give it to my son.
Ugh it is just like that. I haven't been able to find anything. If anyone on here happens to see my comments. PLEASE let me know if you have any of these that will be chunked. I will buy the drawers I am missing from you. My BF keeps telling me to junk it.... But he won't part from anything his Dad left behind. I am a woman but I have 3 Sons. 😢
I can’t believe you used a wire wheel on all that rat piss oxidation before you pressure washed it. Before you prep something for paint the first step is wash and degrease. If you start sanding etc on what you’re painting before you clean it you just wire wheeled a bunch of crap into the surface you’re gonna paint. The edge trim on the drawers, slide them off the drawers using pb blaster and tapping then sandpaper and steel wool.
@@jessehortin9091 as long as you’re happy man, just saying if you’re gonna spend the time on prep try to start with the cleanest surface before sanding. Wiping with acetone doesn’t remove all surface contamination. It’s more critical on things like plastic but you’ll always get better adhesion and finish on any surface .
I can’t figure out how to get the top tool box off of the base and you skipped that part 😫 I can’t find any bolts, but it’s definitely secured on there. I’m trying to get this thing in my car to move it.
Unless the previous owner somehow permanently attached it, it’s probably just wedged/rusted in place. The top box normally is just sitting on top with no fasteners.
For anyone trying to restore these Craftsman tool chests/boxes, the Rustoleum Sunrise Red is a near perfect match to the original. For boxes that have the dark grey color on the drawers use Rustoleum Black Stainless paint. Don't let the word "black" fool you. It's a nice dark grey color. Trust me you will be happy with results.
Know where to find replacement drawer slides for these?
And if you want a slightly deeper red, regal red rust oleum is pretty close also
@@militarysniper6625 Just fit the newer ballbearing slides if possible, Probably the only source now is another broken toolbox that they could be salvaged from.
Dang that red really worked great and I am well pleased with the results! Got a dark gray color for drawers because I couldn't find the black you spoke about. Thanks for the advice and will use in the future!
rustoleum Farm & Implement Toolbox Red Enamel Spray Paint. if I could post pics I would
Thanks for this, just purchased one of these, that was purchased in Alabama in 1990 and then shipped to UK (owners moved back to UK)
A buddy of mine gifted me his old setup similar to this one in black. Just the video I needed.
Nice video mate just given me motivation and ideas to do mine cheers all the way from Australia
Brasso and an old t-shirt works great for taking rust off anything chrome. I use it on old 10 speed bicycles all of the time and get a great shine without scracthing.
I’d have disassembled it completely and used broader strokes to avoid the tiger stripes in the paint, but it’s clean and being used so I can’t complain.
How do you get the top toolbox off of the base so basically disassemble it into 2 boxes like he did?
Maybe if I can take the drawers out, I’ll find a bolt?
Looks good now, that top unit is really nice with all those different size drawers.
Thank you!!! And yes it’s very nice for storage of small tools
mine has the same runners as yours, I'm planning on using graphite oil fo trh runners and keeping a can inside for oiling as needed. Will spray Lithium greasue into the wheel ball bearings.
Great idea on the clearcoat.
i restored a craftsman chest/cabinet upper and lower nowhere near this bad - a little rust in a couple drawers and outer cabinet - sanded it off primered and spray painted with i think the rustoleum sunrise red and a black for the black parts... Could not believe how long the red paint took to dry compared to primer or black - both dry to touch within 30 min vs 2+ days for the red. You spent a lot of time and money to restore toolboxes that one could pick up in good/excellent condition for as little as 100 depending on series. Great to fix rather than replace but at some point you have to ask yourself if it makes financial sense and if the amount of time you spent is worth it. I probably spent about 2 hours and 20 bucks in paint to clean up mine - which i wanted to use them inside my house
I really like the lawn mower ASMR when he's priming the bottom part
great job bro!
Tons of different wayst to do it, for free tool box you do HOWEVER you want man, looks greati like the black against red. I just did mine now I'm thinking of redoing drawers that black. I wish i saw you clear coat it, not sure if you did. i probably wont, i bought #0000 steel wool (couldn't find 600grit sandpaper) i quickly did top and got some of my tackiness off (i sprayed in wind). thanks for video. PS i'm sure you know but like other poster said - taking drawers out easy (well, after I googled it), i was taking so long taping i got pissed, looked it up - one little screwdriver or recip blade and took 40 seconds. Total.. (Once i knew wehre to look). Your chest looks awesome. Sell it back to your buddy ha :)
What does the bottom door hinge on? I have a similar box and the door doesn't have the pin thing anymore and the hole is just a 1/2" or so wide square all the way through. I'd assume some sort of dowel but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, great video.
Mine just has a channel it slides in with begs sticking out that ride in the channel
No way! I just picked this same exact box up the other day. Any tips on cleaning, oiling the drawer slides themselves?
Clean them with pb blaster or whatever you can. Hit them back up with CRC White Lithium Grease
The key to getting the drawers out is using two hack saw blades
I usually don't comment but I need to.
1. NEVER sand or grind any dirty metal surface. Wash it. Several times. Otherwise, you are grinding impurities into the metal. You'll get fisheyes and the paint will fail at some point.
You should wash it, then grind it, then wash again, then sand with 600 grit to give the paint "tooth." Wash again. THEN wax and grease remover (or acetone) . Then tack rag. Then paint.
2. Mouse droppings are hazardous. You shouldn't be power washing that crap without eye protection, wearing sandals or wearing shorts.
3. NEVER spay bomb in direct sunlight or on a windy day. You'll use a ton of paint, you'll get orange peel and your paint will flash very quickly and you'll get "tiger stripes" which is exactly what your finish is.
Thank you for this comment. Im attempting to paint a snap on toolbox from the 90s and have no previous experience.
I have 3 questions i hope you can answer.
1. If you want to rid of any impurities before sanding and grinding wouldnt you want to use acetone first to remove any greese?
2. A dumb question but how does sandpaper add tooth. I thought that it serves the same purpose as the grinder which is to smooth out the surface
3. Will using a wire wheel power drill attachment work better than sandpaper because it creates a bunch of scratches that seem to add even more texture
@@randompenny8396 1. Tool boxes are usually filthy & greasy. So yes, washing it down with acetone or 99% isopropyl alcohol would 100% work. Keep washing it until your rag is clean. You can't get it too clean. Failure to do so will grind oil into the metal surface and your paint will fail. 2 Sanding puts scratches into the surface, giving the paint a chance to stick. 3. A wire wheel is probably going to leave deep scratches which will show when you paint it. It depends on the scratch but you could spray some self etching primer then some primer filler. Sand it with 600.
I appreciate this comment thread so much, thank you both.
Lowes sells Tool Box Red spray paint.
Looks good. I almost wonder if it would have been better to clean it up and leave the factory powder coat / paint on and just sand/paint the insides of the drawers. Unless there was rust on the outside too
You should have researched on how the drawers come out. It's very easy.
Lol it’s not something you really need to look up even
I did some sleuthing and they are from 77-84
It’s probably a good thing you didn’t use the silicone oil spray…because it can cause your paint to fish eye…big problem to correct
My dad left one of these in storage when he died but it's missing a few drawers . He didn't get to go back and get them before he died and my brother has gotten rid of them. Are there replacement drawers that I could buy or anything? I'd love to give it to my son.
I’m not sure, I would probably check eBay
Ugh it is just like that. I haven't been able to find anything. If anyone on here happens to see my comments. PLEASE let me know if you have any of these that will be chunked. I will buy the drawers I am missing from you. My BF keeps telling me to junk it.... But he won't part from anything his Dad left behind. I am a woman but I have 3 Sons. 😢
Anyone know where I could order two drawers for my craftsman tool chest? Got it from my father law and looking to refurbish it
Sweet 👍🏻 👍🏻
I have the same bottom one. Can you tell me the model number or the era these were made? 70s? 80s? 90s?
I was told late 70’s
Nice!
Thanks !
@@jessehortin9091 I’m getting ready to do mine this weekend. Any tips/ things you wish you knew after restoring yours?
I’m sorry I just saw this I would recommend sanding and clean it off the best you can, also clear coat at the end really helps it shine
I can’t believe you used a wire wheel on all that rat piss oxidation before you pressure washed it. Before you prep something for paint the first step is wash and degrease. If you start sanding etc on what you’re painting before you clean it you just wire wheeled a bunch of crap into the surface you’re gonna paint.
The edge trim on the drawers, slide them off the drawers using pb blaster and tapping then sandpaper and steel wool.
It turned out half decent I’m okay with it
@@jessehortin9091 as long as you’re happy man, just saying if you’re gonna spend the time on prep try to start with the cleanest surface before sanding. Wiping with acetone doesn’t remove all surface contamination. It’s more critical on things like plastic but you’ll always get better adhesion and finish on any surface .
I was wondering how to get the trim off mine thx!
Pressure washing first would have been best so the rat urine and poo couuld be captured by the water spray and washed away
I can’t figure out how to get the top tool box off of the base and you skipped that part 😫
I can’t find any bolts, but it’s definitely secured on there. I’m trying to get this thing in my car to move it.
Unless the previous owner somehow permanently attached it, it’s probably just wedged/rusted in place. The top box normally is just sitting on top with no fasteners.
This dude can not paint
Looks horrible. Can still see the primer on the "finished" product.
Some toolboxes I gave my son about 20 years ago, but I had painted them black. And I had bought them brand new still in good shape.
Paint it again
My boxes had the clips to take the drawers out.