This may be a goofy question, but I recently got a steal of a deal on a used Stack On tool rolling chest. There's grey paint splatter, permanent marker, stains, smudges, etc on the red paint. Whats the best way to clean all of this off without damaging the red paint? I tried using rubbing alcohol on a shop towel but it only got some sticky tape residue off, no luck with the rest of the gunk.
Cleaning tool box
- Thread starter Lillikai
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Try some rubbing compound on a soft rag. Worked for me once on a used box from a body shop.
Cured paint is only removable with solvents that will likely attack the underlying finish unfortunately. However, you say you tried "rubbing alcohol", do you mean the stuff with water in it (like from the pharmacy) or did you try denatured alcohol from the hardware store? That should remove the markers (at least most of it) and some of the other stuff that might be on the paint. It makes a big difference whether the alcohol has water in it or not.
Always start with the least aggressive solvent such as alcohol, then work your way up as needed. Always test in an inconspicuous area first and see if the solvent attacks the finish. If it does then back off and live with it.
There are a couple of commercially available solvent mixtures that you might try such as Goof Off. But always test first and wear gloves when you use it.
Getting paint off of paint isn't going to be easy, depending on what kind of paints are involved.
Originally Posted By: Lillikai
This may be a goofy question, but I recently got a steal of a deal on a used Stack On tool rolling chest. There's grey paint splatter, permanent marker, stains, smudges, etc on the red paint. Whats the best way to clean all of this off without damaging the red paint? I tried using rubbing alcohol on a shop towel but it only got some sticky tape residue off, no luck with the rest of the gunk.
Always start with the least aggressive solvent such as alcohol, then work your way up as needed. Always test in an inconspicuous area first and see if the solvent attacks the finish. If it does then back off and live with it.
There are a couple of commercially available solvent mixtures that you might try such as Goof Off. But always test first and wear gloves when you use it.
Getting paint off of paint isn't going to be easy, depending on what kind of paints are involved.
Originally Posted By: Lillikai
This may be a goofy question, but I recently got a steal of a deal on a used Stack On tool rolling chest. There's grey paint splatter, permanent marker, stains, smudges, etc on the red paint. Whats the best way to clean all of this off without damaging the red paint? I tried using rubbing alcohol on a shop towel but it only got some sticky tape residue off, no luck with the rest of the gunk.
I used the rubbing alcohol that you get from the pharmacy. I think its house paint, its grey, so it may even be primer.
WD-40 or Brake cleaner.,,
I can't answer your question, but I have a few of my own:
Does it really matter? So one as the drawers open and close smoothly then it's all good, no?
Would you take the easy option of covering the marks with stickers?
Does it really matter? So one as the drawers open and close smoothly then it's all good, no?
Would you take the easy option of covering the marks with stickers?
For greasy dirt TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) works wonders. It's available in the painting section at hardware stores. You mix it with water and the dirt just wipes off.
For latex house paint on I've had good luck with a plastic putty knife. Even on other painted surfaces I can usually scrape the house paint off without damaging the finish beneath
Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
For greasy dirt TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) works wonders. It's available in the painting section at hardware stores. You mix it with water and the dirt just wipes off.
I need this stuff. My tool box cart thing was originally used in a factory and its still pretty filthy. Under all the grease is a beautiful red Craftsman tool box, but i have yet to see it.
For greasy dirt TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) works wonders. It's available in the painting section at hardware stores. You mix it with water and the dirt just wipes off.
I need this stuff. My tool box cart thing was originally used in a factory and its still pretty filthy. Under all the grease is a beautiful red Craftsman tool box, but i have yet to see it.
You could spray some red paint over anything you cannot remove.
CAMO
CAMO
Treat it like a car, use polishing compound and an orbital buffer. For somewhat safe solvents try Bug & Tar remover and Oops. Wax it and oil the rails when you're done.
If its house paint, it will probably come off with OOPS.
If its enamel or lacquer its permanent unless you use a paint remover or sand it off and then repaint.
If its enamel or lacquer its permanent unless you use a paint remover or sand it off and then repaint.
Hello, As you go up the ladder of aggressive solvents and cleaners don't forget acetone then lacquer thinner.
Use light pressure and just a finger with cloth stretched over it.
IMHO little in this world looks as bad as stickers on a tool box. Kira
Use light pressure and just a finger with cloth stretched over it.
IMHO little in this world looks as bad as stickers on a tool box. Kira
Thanks for all the responses! After thinking about it for awhile, I ended up getting the grey paint off by scraping it with a screw driver and then I took some mineral spirits and watered it down a tad and wiped the permanent marker and most of the gunk off, theres still some orange spray paint on the surface but im just going to leave it. The 2 tier tool chest is missing the locks and it has a few scratches on it, however I only paid 50 bucks for it, with a bunch of random tools in it including c clamps, gear puller, and a propane torch. My dad says I got the deal of the century! Thanks for all of the ideas, I tried the least damaging ways first and it seemed to work well.
I'd like to say that even though its not the most fancy tool chest, it does the job, and I wanted to clean it up because it sits in my kitchen. Since I pass by it multiple times a day, I wanted it to look clean, no stickers either!
I'd like to say that even though its not the most fancy tool chest, it does the job, and I wanted to clean it up because it sits in my kitchen. Since I pass by it multiple times a day, I wanted it to look clean, no stickers either!
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