Re: how to restore rusted metal toolbox

Haven't restored a toolbox yet but have attacked rust before. Aside from the ones on your list, you may want to get some steel brushes. Start with that before the sandpaper to get those little bulutongs first.

After getting out the rust and washing off the rust converter and letting it dry, I'd suggest an epoxy coating first to provide some good impact protection and base for your paint.

I'm not a metalworker nor automotive worker (I'm a woodworker) so my tools are probably lighter and less aggresive on the toolbox so take my suggestion with a grain of salt.

Re: how to restore rusted metal toolbox

HI there wool,

Basically this is my personal way of de-rusting and restoring metal casings, toolbox and other metals tools. If we are talking of metal toolboxes here, then this is how.

If the toolbox is painted and heavily rusted, then you have to scrape off the paints or apply a paint remover then in a few minutes start scraping exposing the bare metal surface. Use first a coarse grit sand paper to loosen the thick rust if that is the case and then if you have a palm sander or a 4" angle grinder, you can fit it with a flap disc sander with medium grit and use it to sand and totally remove remaining rust.

This is a very effective way to totally remove rust and it is 101% full proof. You will be surprised or probably amazed on how fast flap sanders can dislodge rust and expose the shiny metal surface. But for the crevices or "sulok sulok" , you will have to use mano mano, tyagaan lang. :p

After which you wipe the metal surface with kerosene or some mineral spirits like maybe lacquer thinner or paint thinner. Let dry for a few minutes then apply your rust converter liberally to the affected area or the entire toolbox if its the whole box you are working on and then you let it dry for about 12 to 24 hours. If its a sunny day you can even let it dry under the sun in the morning and in the afternoon oks na yan. Now to remove those whitish dust particles on the metal surface, you can wipe the metal surface with a rug dipped in kerosene or mineral spirit like lacquer thinner, reminder lang bro please don't ever use soap and water on the metal surface, you will just be inviting rust on your tool box again. 😮

Then after the whole process, you can now start applying your metal primer by paint brush or you can buy aerosol metal primer gray available at hardware stores or DIY Shops near you and then after completely letting your primer to dry then its time to apply your desired finish paint.

I hope this helps bro wool.

As for your rusted tools like maybe wrenches, pliers and screw drivers etc, you can soak them in vinegar solution as have been proven by other members here on their tools. 🙂 😉

Re: how to restore rusted metal toolbox

Ahhh...yes... the flap sander.

Take Rosy's suggestions over mine, anytime. He's the metal expert. Low-tech pa ako. Yes. That flap-sander should work. I use it for aggessive removal of wood or dried epoxy globs but should work on rust, too!

Re: how to restore rusted metal toolbox

Any sheet metal works involved ... like portions rusted enough that when you scrape or sand it will reveal holes?

The reason I asked is because I encountered it. I do have this restoration project too and when I started to check it and scrape some rust holes were revealed.

The more I poked the bigger it got ... LOL

It is not a toolbox but a cabinet for my pullers. I guess what were suggested here will work for me too.

It looks like this when it was new.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=10281&group_ID=1236

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=306&group_ID=50

I'd probably start with Stripsol to strip it to bare metal first and see the extent of the rust damages. I hope the hinges are still intact.

I suggest you post pictures too so you can get better advises and tips.

Re: how to restore rusted metal toolbox

Thank you for your advices. I think i have metal brush but no sander or grinder. I will look for a friend that has one.

Re: how to restore rusted metal toolbox

kung wala ka sander or grinder chief... you could use your power drill as one - may post po ako sa blog ko kung pano un gagawin - in case wala ka power tools - tyaga tyaga lng sir.. buy varying grits of sand paper and iba't ibang sizes ng steel brush - tpos elbow grease po.. tyagaan lng..

post ka ng pics ng before at after chief..

Re: how to restore rusted metal toolbox

Tried the youtube solution, baking powder mix with water in one of my restoration projects cant remember the ratio, then light scrub it sa may kalawang. After 30mins hinugasan ko wala na kalawang. Light rust lang naman yun dont know kung possible sa mga heavily rusted metals.
BTW you have to paint it or else rust will be present within 1 day or two.

Re: how to restore rusted metal toolbox

hmm, how did the toolbox get so rusty? if it rusted quickly, it might be of inferior/thin metal ergo not worth the trouble to fix?
metal toolboxen go for 675 and up @ recto.
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