Attempting to restore the original tools.

[Stockholm VW]

The tools in my ‘66 were “restored” by the original owner, but not well. They are painted in red and black. The tool roll cleaned up pretty nicely with Woolite.

How would you safely return the tools to their original state? Paint stripper?

Anyone has a color picture of what an original tool kit looks like?

As you see, I also need a big screwdriver and a “big loop” cap puller.

What do you think?

[Big Bill]

I like how someone high-lighted the tools in Red, and your pouch looks to be in great shapw. I havent had an OG tool kit for so many years I honestly cant recall what they are like stock. If i were going to re-do the ones you have i think a Vapor blast would be the way to go, then decide what color they need to be and re-paint them. I think you are also missing the long bar that is used when you use the double ended socket for a lug nut removal tool.

[Pruneman99]

I've had good luck restoring old tools with electrolyte bath and a small power source.

There are some pretty interesting tutorials online, so I'll leave all the instructions there. However, I'll list some problem areas.

1. You would need to remove the paint first.
2. Make sure you have the electrical leads the right way or you will destroy the item.
3. Arm and hammer washing soda works well, for the solution, and is cheap.
4. If you just use an iron electrode, it will make the water a mess, but not too big of a deal.
5. Don't use too much power, or it will burn the item you are cleaning.
6. Only ferrous items.
7. You need to be patient.

I've cleaned up some old school tools purchased at a swap meet for .50c and are better than most new tools out there.

Vapor blasting would be awesome for something like this though. If you have access.

[Stockholm VW]

[Stockholm VW]

[Pruneman99]

You don't need anything special to do electro stripping.

I use a bucket, a piece of rebar, a bit of wire, and a very small trickle charger. A 9v battery would also work fine, but would run out of juice and need to be replaced.

I think the most expensive thing I bought was a 2 dollar piece of rebar. However, I've been thinking of buying a graphite rod to use instead of the rebar just to keep the water clean.

It's unreal how well a 70 year old pair of wire dykes cut after being rusted into a blob. My favorite cutters now.. I always keep an eye out for rusty old tools at the swap.

And once you set it up, you just let it do it's thing for a few days. I'm lazy

[EverettB]

I would think a mild stripper like you are doing.

As far as I know they are not painted, except for the wood handled screwdriver.

They are plated. Black cad coating?

Original 65 Bug toolkit:

(Missing some stuff too)

In this photo the pliers on the far right are not original and have been added:

[Stockholm VW]

[lboos]

Here's the tools from my 1972 SB.
The pliers are not org. I did clean them up and paint them, not sure what year they are from ?
I did clean the others up and put oil on them.

I put my tools in a pan of lacquer thinner and let them soak a little, after the paint was removed I cleaned them with ++++ steel wool then oiled.

I would not count on the tire tools to change a flat tire, as most of the tire stores
let their help use air guns with around 3000 lbs of air press because it's a lot quicker. when I have new tires installed as soon as I get home I use a "breaker bar" to break the lug nuts loose and retighten them with the tools that are in the car. just a thought.

[Stockholm VW]

OK, so here’s the final verdict. These tools were painted by the PO and needed a good soak in paint stripper.
After a good clean and a light rubbed coat of 30 weight, I think they turned out really nice. Too bad the screwdriver is missing the chrome trim piece. ☹️
The original tool roll cleaned up nicely.
Original breaker bar and a repro cap puller is in the car.

[EverettB]

Nice! Those came out really good and look fine as-is in my opinion.

I'm surprised how well that bag cleaned up, even a couple super nice original ones I own have some stains.
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[Stockholm VW]