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Posted: 7/21/2023 11:04:20 PM EDT
[Last Edit: craig24680]
Backstory I was looking for a small safe for some 22s I didn't want to leave hanging around.
Buddy contacted me and said he had a fort Knox safe with some rust that he'd sell for super cheap. Long story short its sitting in my garage needing work. Dial works and combination still locks/unlocks. Still has original receipt from 1998 or so and salesman's card with combination on it. Has rust on front corner and speckled spots in a few spots. Rough plan is to clean rust and most paint and repaint with some off the wall color like dark orange or blue or some damn thing Never done anything like this, what is needed to get paint off, prep and paint? How to ensure the small speckled rust inside won't attach to the guns? Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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I'll need to get some pictures updated.
So far I've taken the interior apart and carpet cleaned everything I could. The back of the safe that has carpet I couldn't get out easily, any ideas? Got the interior of the door opened and exposed exposing the beautiful locking mechanism. Took some gooped up grease from the edges of the movement areas and re-lubed parts and even more buttery smooth than before. Still unsure about the paint and rust. There is some light rusting on the inside and on the pivot area the door uses. I don't own a grinder but could borrow one if needbe. I was thinking of this to get rust/paint off safe https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-wire-cup-brush-with-14-in-shank-60320.html As mentioned limited tools and work area (garage) |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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You could use fine sand paper. That wire cup will most likely scratch the crap out of the good paint.
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Yeah I would sand/steel wool it instead of a wire brush spinning 8700rpm
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Appreciate the replys
To be honest I don't care how it looks other than no rust Here is outside with drill mounted wire wheel (in middle of work) Still have a lot more work Attached File |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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No new updates but planning next steps
Still have some rust to take care of Plan is still to wire wheel as much as I can Do I fiddle with metal etching primer or rust converter? I'll try and get as much rust off as I can but some might still be present Again looks aren't important so if the original paint is messed up I don't care |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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I've had my eye on this kit as it'll be for here and there not total coating job
https://por15.com/collections/3-step-rust-preventive-system/products/stop-rust-kit |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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Got majority of inside wire wheeled of loose paint/rust.
Got Ospho on it today. I keep meaning to take pictures but when in middle of the work it's hard to whip phone out I'll try and get some soon |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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I thought that's what stickers were made for.
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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Moving ok right direction
Used Ospho Cleaned with mineral spirits Applied the Rust-Oleum primer today Rust-Oleum glossy black paint in a few days. I'm mean time prolly evaporust on handles and painted black Giving a few days to set as the garage isn't heated but insulated. Again the goal isn't perfection but rust free Attached File Attached File |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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Finally got around to painting all spots wire wheeled and primed.
Letting dry for couple more days then I'll get some pictures. Splotchy paint looks like a kid did it But I don't care Next step is to reassemble the interior and decide if I want to change combo or leave it (will only be used for cheap guns/accessories) Then clean outside and clean rust from handles and repaint them then GTG |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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Always a good idea to change the combo just to make sure it has not drifted a bit over time.
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If God didn't want them sheared, he would not have made them sheep.
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Going with a lighter color inside would make it easier to see, even with lights
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Sounds to me like you've done a great job OP. You knocked all the rust off you could with a wire wheel. You converted all the rust with Ospho (exactly what I would've reccomended) and then primer and paint.
The only things from there on out would be to clear coat and cut and buff. But that's only if you're looking for something closer to perfection. if you're happy with it post paint, then by all means go for it! I think you dun good OP. |
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Support Team Ranstad, Damnit!
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Originally Posted By sgthatred: Always a good idea to change the combo just to make sure it has not drifted a bit over time. View Quote The combo seems to work ok, see below for more on this Originally Posted By scottr: Going with a lighter color inside would make it easier to see, even with lights View Quote Good idea but a little too late :) Originally Posted By Ruckus: Sounds to me like you've done a great job OP. You knocked all the rust off you could with a wire wheel. You converted all the rust with Ospho (exactly what I would've reccomended) and then primer and paint. The only things from there on out would be to clear coat and cut and buff. But that's only if you're looking for something closer to perfection. if you're happy with it post paint, then by all means go for it! I think you dun good OP. View Quote Appreciate the kind words. |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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So the paint is done, not perfect but it's covering the converted rust so I'm ok.
Color doesn't match but again, meh Still have to take care of the handles and get them painted and rust(maybe) taken care of but that's easier than safe itself Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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Got the "furniture" back inm the bottom was a pain in butt due to how it folds.
One of the shelves was sacrificed to the gods of "clearing rust" Attached File Attached File Attached File The inside door panel is only held on with 4 screws for now, see next post |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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Last update
While using a ratchet strap on the handle to hold open while I installed the "furniture" the handle turned a bit passed the open/closed positions. Seems to not be locked onto something 100% Would locksmith be able to handle that? I got quoted $170 to change the combo |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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Usually the handle is set on the shaft with a thin roll pin that shears easily so a thief will not be able to force the door open. Perhaps the pin is slightly bent? Good idea to replace while the locksmith is changing the combo.
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Originally Posted By craig24680: I've had my eye on this kit as it'll be for here and there not total coating job https://por15.com/collections/3-step-rust-preventive-system/products/stop-rust-kit View Quote Good stuff, but hard to put on thin. |
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17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
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Originally Posted By smoothy8500: Usually the handle is set on the shaft with a thin roll pin that shears easily so a thief will not be able to force the door open. Perhaps the pin is slightly bent? Good idea to replace while the locksmith is changing the combo. View Quote It DOES have a hole outside on the spindle the handles screw into Good idea and I'll check |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
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Originally Posted By craig24680: It DOES have a hole outside on the spindle the handles screw into Good idea and I'll check View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By craig24680: Originally Posted By smoothy8500: Usually the handle is set on the shaft with a thin roll pin that shears easily so a thief will not be able to force the door open. Perhaps the pin is slightly bent? Good idea to replace while the locksmith is changing the combo. It DOES have a hole outside on the spindle the handles screw into Good idea and I'll check As title states, laziness is here to stay Found a hex head screw in the handle and backed it all the way out. Handle spins freely but won't come off for cleaning, kind of last step. (Next to top to bottom cleaning of outside) Any ideas? Attached File |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
Adam Calhoun: "You can’t hurt my feelings, I was born in the 80's" |
Nice job. Looks almost like new. Years ago I found a safe dumped in a field. The door was off and it was sinking in dirt. I dug it free and took it home. Cleaned it , removed rust and repainted it. Still use it today been over 40 years.
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Originally Posted By timkel: Nice job. Looks almost like new. Years ago I found a safe dumped in a field. The door was off and it was sinking in dirt. I dug it free and took it home. Cleaned it , removed rust and repainted it. Still use it today been over 40 years. View Quote That's awesome story Have pics (minus items list in fire/boat accident)? |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
Adam Calhoun: "You can’t hurt my feelings, I was born in the 80's" |
Originally Posted By craig24680: As title states, laziness is here to stay Found a hex head screw in the handle and backed it all the way out. Handle spins freely but won't come off for cleaning, kind of last step. (Next to top to bottom cleaning of outside) Any ideas? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/80967/1000004797_jpg-3155255.JPG View Quote Craig, does the handle spin on the shaft or does it spin with the shaft? There's only a few possibilities on how the handle is attached. A few more clues I bet we can get it off there pretty handily. |
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Support Team Ranstad, Damnit!
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Originally Posted By Ruckus: Craig, does the handle spin on the shaft or does it spin with the shaft? There's only a few possibilities on how the handle is attached. A few more clues I bet we can get it off there pretty handily. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Ruckus: Originally Posted By craig24680: As title states, laziness is here to stay Found a hex head screw in the handle and backed it all the way out. Handle spins freely but won't come off for cleaning, kind of last step. (Next to top to bottom cleaning of outside) Any ideas? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/80967/1000004797_jpg-3155255.JPG Craig, does the handle spin on the shaft or does it spin with the shaft? There's only a few possibilities on how the handle is attached. A few more clues I bet we can get it off there pretty handily. My bad The handle spins free of the shaft with the screw out It seems like the handle should pop right off? |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
Adam Calhoun: "You can’t hurt my feelings, I was born in the 80's" |
Originally Posted By Ruckus: No problem man, lets get this thing off. My first attempt to remove it would be a "pickle fork" https://www.lislecorp.com/media/products/41500_8D31F91685FBD.jpg?dimensions=499x365 Put something behind it so it don't scratch the paint, and start tapping. Keep us posted on how you move forward. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Ruckus: Originally Posted By craig24680: My bad The handle spins free of the shaft with the screw out It seems like the handle should pop right off? No problem man, lets get this thing off. My first attempt to remove it would be a "pickle fork" https://www.lislecorp.com/media/products/41500_8D31F91685FBD.jpg?dimensions=499x365 Put something behind it so it don't scratch the paint, and start tapping. Keep us posted on how you move forward. My inner 12yr old giggled at that name Googled it and looks like a ball joint separator I'll stop by harbor freight this week and see what they have On an unrelated note The handles do have what appear to be rust, I keep forgetting to verify they are steel. If they are same process for the handles as the body? Sand, neutralize rust, primer and paint? Again this isn't for looks, function |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
Adam Calhoun: "You can’t hurt my feelings, I was born in the 80's" |
Just out of curiosity where was this safe stored that it rusted like that? Do you think the rust is due to where it was located? Or maybe a poor factory finish?
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Tactipug. The ultimate compact firepower!
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Originally Posted By mah827: Just out of curiosity where was this safe stored that it rusted like that? Do you think the rust is due to where it was located? Or maybe a poor factory finish? View Quote @mah827 Sorry about delay I got the safe from a friend who said it belonged to his step-dad. Still have the original sales receipt from 5/18/1999. Unsure how it was stored but I picked it up from an outside building that housed pool chemicals so they may have contributed to the rust. Outside of that it's hard to say if it was due to poor factory finish, old age, etc |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
Adam Calhoun: "You can’t hurt my feelings, I was born in the 80's" |
@Ruckus
Good tip on the ball joint seperator went to harbor freight today and grabbed this fella Worked like a charm with hammer. Less than 30 seconds later she was off Now to clean the front of safe/sides and refinish the handle Attached File Attached File |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
Adam Calhoun: "You can’t hurt my feelings, I was born in the 80's" |
Originally Posted By craig24680: @mah827 Sorry about delay I got the safe from a friend who said it belonged to his step-dad. Still have the original sales receipt from 5/18/1999. Unsure how it was stored but I picked it up from an outside building that housed pool chemicals so they may have contributed to the rust. Outside of that it's hard to say if it was due to poor factory finish, old age, etc View Quote Thank you for following up. That might make more sense than just being in an outside building. Good luck with your project. |
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Tactipug. The ultimate compact firepower!
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Originally Posted By craig24680: @Ruckus Good tip on the ball joint seperator went to harbor freight today and grabbed this fella Worked like a charm with hammer. Less than 30 seconds later she was off Now to clean the front of safe/sides and refinish the handle View Quote Cool! Glad it came off easily. I am surprised to see its not a splined shaft, but oh well. Keep us posted on the progress. |
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Support Team Ranstad, Damnit!
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Got around to soaking handle parts in ospho
Attached File Cleaned outside with simple green Attached File |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
Adam Calhoun: "You can’t hurt my feelings, I was born in the 80's" |
Looking good! I saw a picture of an antique bank safe coverted into a gun safe where they lined it with sheets of cedar like people use for cedar closets. Might be an idea for you if the interior needs redoing.
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Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle we humbly pray.
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Originally Posted By AlabamaFan64: Looking good! I saw a picture of an antique bank safe coverted into a gun safe where they lined it with sheets of cedar like people use for cedar closets. Might be an idea for you if the interior needs redoing. View Quote Sounds like a great idea But I think I'm happy ish with the interior for now For sure I'll keep it in mind |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
Adam Calhoun: "You can’t hurt my feelings, I was born in the 80's" |
Wiped the ospho off with mineral spirits
Question I'll be priming and painting black, same as safe Again function over looks For the threaded knob and handles, do I need to do anything other than light coat? Or skip the threads and use anti seize? Pic makes corrosion look worse Attached File |
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PROUD AMMOSEXUAL
Adam Calhoun: "You can’t hurt my feelings, I was born in the 80's" |
EDIT: nevermind, I didn't read the whole thread.
looking good |
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Lifetime Member: National Rifle Association, Texas State Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America
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Originally Posted By gamboolman: Looking good. I added these to our 2 X Safes. Made a huge difference. And the Hot Rod Dehumidifier things. Do recommend both https://i.imgur.com/cozEnopl.png" target="_blank">https://i.imgur.com/cozEnopl.png View Quote Far cheaper options on amazon for lighting. |
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