How to clean your tool box?

**roadkill636** · 10-20-2020, 08:51 PM

We all have tool boxes in our shops that worked sooo smooth when they were new. The drawers slid out with the flip of 1 finger. But over the years dust and grime get into the slides and make them more difficult to open.

Most of the better boxes have ball bearing slide rails on the drawers. What is a good way to clean and decrease these?

**SS Minnow** · 10-20-2020, 09:03 PM

Brake cleaner to clean, and then hit them with a silicone spray lube. Silicone does not attract or hold dust, dirt or grime.

**LakeFever** · 10-21-2020, 05:08 AM

Empty the drawers one at a time and clean. Be careful with brake cleaner if there’s plastic that stuff is not kind to most plastics. I use tooth brushes and alcohol on small plastics and air blow out the crud. Sometimes a squirt bottle filled with alcohol and air after. Super lube with ptfe is excellent long lasting lubricant

**Whaaaaat** · 10-21-2020, 07:45 AM

Buy a new , bigger shinier box. And use the old one for stuff you need less often.

But seriously what was said above about emptying the drawers 1 at a time, or might be able to remove drawer while still full set on horses then remove slides, clean and lube slides ,reinstall slides then drawer.

**Headless Hula** · 10-21-2020, 08:45 AM

Be careful with the "Brake Clean".... It can mess up the paint...

**roadkill636** · 10-21-2020, 09:31 AM

Don't want to empty and remove each drawer.

Ya.. im worked about brake cleaner and the paint.

**Headless Hula** · 10-21-2020, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by roadkill636

Don't want to empty and remove each drawer.

Ya.. im worked about brake cleaner and the paint.

Mineral Spirits is a better choice, it isn't as harsh, and will work just fine to remove the shmoo that's stuck in the grease on the drawer slides. Silicone spray works well in a dusty environment vs grease,beacuse it's dry, and won't be sticky. You'll have to lube them significantly more often using it though.

**Dave Strong** · 10-21-2020, 10:43 AM

Snap On dealer told me back in the late 70's to run paraffin wax on the slides to keep things smooth.

Dave

**Headless Hula** · 10-21-2020, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Dave Strong

Snap On dealer told me back in the late 70's to run paraffin wax on the slides to keep things smooth.

Dave

I wonder if anything better has been developed in the 40+ years since he told you that?

( just joking, kinda)

**Whaaaaat** · 10-21-2020, 10:59 AM

I have an old non roller that the previous owner smothered in lithium grease that was getting hard to open. I sprayed it with gun cleaner a couple days ago on one test drawer, will see if it stays smooth

**Dave Strong** · 10-21-2020, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Headless Hula

I wonder if anything better has been developed in the 40+ years since he told you that?

( just joking, kinda)

Well it worked for many years better than silicone and other lubes. Modern not always best.

Dave

**keefallan** · 10-21-2020, 02:52 PM

Superlube grease is good stuff. It never gets hard and cruddy like normal greases. its also a much lighter grease, much like the grease that comes on drawer slides from the factory. Its clear.......and like LakeFever posted..........got ptfe in it.

**Dave Strong** · 10-21-2020, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by keefallan

Superlube grease is good stuff. It never gets hard and cruddy like normal greases. its also a much lighter grease, much like the grease that comes on drawer slides from the factory. Its clear.......and like LakeFever posted..........got ptfe in it.

Problem with grease is it attracts dirt.

Dave

**keefallan** · 10-21-2020, 03:09 PM

Dont disagree with ya there. But its what came on them in the first place, and how often do you have to clean 'em anyways? One day, you pull on the drawer....some years down the road........and say...........These drawers dont slide like they used to. Its just a prev. maintenance thing for me.