English Tool Chest Restoration

If you check the video you'll see the horrible plastic I had to peel and scrape off prior to scrubbing the box. For some reason a wood effect plastic sheeting had been stuck all over so that was the first thing to come off.

After taking off the plastic I used coarse wire wool and white spirits (mineral spirits) to remove the grime and stickiness from the surface.

Cleaning the bottom out with a t shirt and the spirits revealed the beauty of the old wood and took all the years of grime away.

Next I had to take the wire wool to the inside sides of the chest and scrub off some silver paint. I found that it was easier to remove when scrubbing against the grain at first then scrubbing with the grain. I made sure to wear a mask whilst doing this because first of all the fumes from the spirits and also I didn't know what kind of paint it was, better to be safe than sorry with that kind of thing I think.

The fully stripped and cleaned toolbox looked wonderful but still beaten and lacking its original colour.

The outside of the box fully cleaned and scraped down, showing its original black paint which I wanted to re apply to take it back to how it was when first made.

The inside of the chest was in need of some protection and refreshment. I don't know what was originally applied to the inside of the box so I used Boiled Linseed Oil which is often used on tool handles. I applied it liberally, allowed it to soak in and then wiped off the excess.

The drawers came out looking wonderful after a clean and oiling.

I first painted the chest in a paint described as "Jet Black", as you can see its more of a grey colour. So I bought a more suitable paint.

This paint was called "Carbon" and made by Rustoleum. A much darker furniture paint which was more like the true colour of the original chest. Black is the traditional colour of an English Tool Chest.

With the paint all on and the inside oiled the tool box looked closer to its original self than it has in a very long time. This was a very satisfying project which I would recommend to anyone, the time spent scrubbing away at the grime and old paint was totally worth it. Now I have to restore the tools!

You can check the blog post on my website for more information and photos.