Good morning. I just inherited my one of grandfathers toolbox after my father passed last week. I would like to ‘restore’ the box. It appears to have a lot of mold and dirt build up. What would you use to clean it? Thanks

 

Condolences on your loss, Kevin. No suggestions from me on cleaning but that's a cool keepsake to have from your father.

Thank you Fred. Dont worry I got some hand tools I am sure you will be able to give some wisdom on.   

I myself would only give it a light cleaning with s'yhpruM Oil Soap, and enjoy the patina created by your ancestors.

Let me echo Fred's condolences Kevin and also like Fred, I've no suggestion for the box clean up.

13 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

I myself would only give it a light cleaning with s'yhpruM Oil Soap, and enjoy the patina created by your ancestors.

Thank you For the suggestion Larry.

5 minutes ago, Cal said:

Let me echo Fred's condolences Kevin and also like Fred, I've no suggestion for the box clean up.

Thank you Cal.

Condolences Kevin.  Maybe a stiff brush to start.  Be careful of the decal.  Try to preserve as much of it as possible.  It is a beautiful keepsake.

Kevin, Mimi and I send prayers of comfort to you and your family.

 

About the toolbox, I agree with Larry- minimal cleaning to keep the rich patina on the box and tools.

1 hour ago, HandyDan said:

Condolences Kevin.  Maybe a stiff brush to start.  Be careful of the decal.  Try to preserve as much of it as possible.  It is a beautiful keepsake.

 

3 minutes ago, lew said:

Kevin, Mimi and I send prayers of comfort to you and your family.

 

About the toolbox, I agree with Larry- minimal cleaning to keep the rich patina on the box and tools.

Thank you Dan and Lew. I would love to preserve the decal. I want to clean it enough to protect any wood loss in the future.

Here are some of the other tools and music box that I am going to try to restore at some point l. The hand tools I believe come from my other Grandfather who was from Norway and was a master mason and brick layer…

My deepest condolences on the loss of your father Kevin. Prayers for peace and comfort to you and your family.

As for cleaning the wood tool box, music box as well as any of the wood make-up on the hand tools, try using a medium to stiff toothbrush (available at most $$ stores) and hydrogen peroxide. Then wipe down with a clean cotton rag saturated with but not dripping, hydrogen peroxide. Finally buff dry with a clean cotton cloth. As already noted, try not to let the paper absorb any peroxide. A thin coat of wax for wood (no silica) buffed out should bring back to life, retain the patina and give on-going protection.

I inherited a wooden bread box (2' x 2' x 3', 100+ yrs old) which had been stored in a damp garage for years.  My wife washed it with soap and water, a solution of water and vinegar, and used Listerine to get ride of the dirt and musty smell.  She also bathed in the sun for many days.  It us now in our home with a small amount of charcoal stored in side of it.

Danl

2 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

My deepest condolences on the loss of your father Kevin. Prayers for peace and comfort to you and your family.

Thank you Dave I appreciate it.

Condolences on the passing of your father, Kevin.

1 hour ago, HARO50 said:

Condolences on the passing of your father, Kevin.

Thank you Haro!

First ‘light’ bath with towel, warm water and dawn. I am going to let it dry and see what it looks like if I want to go further. The label cleaned up pretty good but I barley breathed on it lol. The crack on the bottom should I take some CA glue? It goes through the joint. Btw love the boxed joint on this thing! 

Sorry for your loss. As to cleaning I like Murphy and then when it goes wrong Murphy did it. When cleaned as much as you want to seal out the odors use a coat of shellac and probably will not have any odor.

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

Sorry for your loss. As to cleaning I like Murphy and then when it goes wrong Murphy did it. When cleaned as much as you want to seal out the odors use a coat of shellac and probably will not have any odor.

Thank you Gerald!