Craftsman Toolbox Upcycle Project

I must admit, this Craftsman toolbox was one of the easiest and most enjoyable upcycles I’ve ever worked on due to its nearly perfect condition when I purchased it at a garage sale. All it needed was a quick cleaning and it was ready for whatever design direction I chose!

My design inspiration came from @EllenJGoods when she created a video about a year ago introducing the new DIY Cottage Colors (a collaborative one-step paint line by Debi’s Design Diary and Jami Ray Vintage). All of the projects Lynne completed in her video were gorgeous, and I knew that I wanted to try to create something similar.

Above: Screenshot from the Ellen J Goods YouTube video, “Five New JRV Cottage Colors One Transfer 5 Looks”

Since at that time I did not yet have the toolbox, I decided to go totally off-label and upcycle a dull gray insulated coffee cup I had picked up at the local  thrift store. I painted the cup using DIY Cottage Color in Azure, sealed it with DIY Big Top liquid top coat, and then added scraps from multiple Iron Orchid Designs (IOD) transfers (sealing again over the top of the transfers) to create a beautiful cup. Granted, I am unable to put it in the dishwasher and, in fact, I hand wash it very carefully, making an effort to use soap only on the inside (and the lid, which is completely washable) and minimizing the amount of hot soapy water I pour over the outside. Even with the special care this cup requires, it is my favorite, and seeing how it came out confirmed that I wanted to eventually try this color combination on a metal tool box or tackle box.

Fast forward a year, and I remembered this toolbox that I had purchased at a garage sale. I went back and forth on possible paint colors and kept coming back to Azure, that beautiful deep teal color. Using Lynne’s project (and now my coffee cup) as inspiration, I forged ahead! 

Here is the process I followed:

1. Cleaned the toolbox and tray with Dawn dishwashing liquid and water.

2. Primed the outside of the toolbox with 2 coats of clear DIY Salvation Solution Wood Stain Blocking Primer, allowing the first coat to dry to the touch and then the second coat to dry for 24 hours. Since the toolbox was metal and shiny, I thought it was best to take the time to prime it.

3. Applied 3-4 coats of DIY Cottage Color in Azure. I could have gotten away with 3 coats, but I added a 4th in a couple of spots just for good measure. (This was completed in our vendor booth as part of a live demo.)

4. Added transfer pieces from two Iron Orchid Designs (IOD) transfers: Rose Botanical and Catharina, first adding the large yellow roses on the front. (Since DIY Cottage Color paint has a built-in sealer, there was no need for me to seal it prior to applying the transfers.)

 

     

5. Using pieces of a brown bag (like a lunch bag or grocery bag), I gently “sanded” the surface so that the transfers really blended in with the surface paint.

6. Wiped with a dry paper towel to remove any residue from the “sanding” and then sealed with two coats of DIY Big Top liquid top coat.

7. (Optional) I used my Cricut to cut faux leather pieces (gray for the tray and teal for the bottom of the toolbox) to serve as removable liners. They just sit inside the box and are not glued down.