Tool box care/ prevention

I just got a once in a life time deal on a toolbox/tools. And after giving it a once over i noticed that the bottom (underside) is starting to show signs of aging. Not rusting or rot but down that road.
In my mind that makes sense since they sit close to the floor and between temp fluctuation and humidity i can see that causing a rust situation over time.

So how do i protect and prevent that?

I was thinking of scuffing the bottom and just Rustoleum-ing the bottom. Maybe bed liner?

Any other insight?

Also, was thinking of giving it a coat of Hammered finish paint for visual appeal. However they dont have it in Red/ Mac Orange. Whats the strongest paint that i can put on easily that will last?

Rustoleum gets my vote.

Another question for you guys.

I got another set of boxes but they have been sitting collecting dust and filth for 7 years in the shop then in the back room.

Can i empty the tools out of it pull drawers and pressure wash/ steam clean the whole thing? assuming i have it dry well i should be ok right? then all i gotta do is relube the slides and give it a wax.

Good idea or bad idea?

I would say go for the steam clean. Just be sure to hose it down with WD-40. Any exposed metal will flash rust something awful.

most shops wash the floor bottoms of boxes don't like that

i keep charcoal in the drawers to keep moisture out of the box/off the tools.

patgizz wrote: i keep charcoal in the drawers to keep moisture out of the box/off the tools.

damn that's a good idea.

If it's bare metal rustolem will just rust through anyways, I like the idea of coating it with motor oil an trans fluid mixed (works good for steel sheet metal). Or motor oil and heat like how dutch ovens and woks get coated, but maybe with a rosebud or something.

I keep the desicant packs that come in lots of stuff we get in the mail and throw them in the box.