Vintage cooler

Hey guys, 

Stumbled upon this vintage metal cooler in my late grandparents basement. My father remembers using it as a kid. From what I've gathered from some online searching it's a Sexton Stakool and appears to be from the 50's. I've been told it might have asbestos in between the inner and outer skins. Worrisome? Probably not. What do you think I should do with it? Clean it up and use it (especially with my similar green Mazda REPU? Leave it as is and use it? Restore it somehow? Re-purpose it somehow? 

I would clean it up (not paint or restore it) and throw it in the back of the REPU.  Maybe make some sort of vintage style (e.g. with ropes and wood) hold down for it.

You could also start up you own small brewery and create a Brap Brap Amber and a Spinning Triangle Lager, then use the REPU and with the cooler as a promotional thing... but that seems like a lot of work.

As far as the asbestos, the only concern with that ever has been when you mess with it then breath in a LOT of the dust (the lawyers on TV will of course imply otherwise).  So if you are not planning on taking a job in an asbestos factory anytime soon, I would not put any concern in that.

But seriously, what a neat find.  I would personally scuff/clean it and shoot it with some matte clear urethane or lacquer to preserve the patina.

aircooled said:

As far as the asbestos, the only concern with that ever has been when you mess with it then breath in a LOT of the dust (the lawyers on TV will of course imply otherwise).  So if you are not planning on taking a job in an asbestos factory anytime soon, I would not put any concern in that.

Yup.  People get a little antsy around asbestos, but undisturbed, it won't hurt a thing.  I have asbestos insulation all through my theater.  Asbestos ceiling tiles, floor tiles, pipe insulation, roofing tile, fireproof plaster in the boiler room.... it's not an issue unless I started tearing it out and sending the dust everywhere.

Clean it well, i like to give stuff like that a spray of WD40 or similar and then give it a good polish with a microfiber to brighten, restore the luster, and give it some corrosion protection and a light clean.  Don't paint it, its too cherry.  

For the asbestos, you may want to examine every seam and possible seal it somehow. Probably overkill, but would take the worry away. 

Can you guys suggest any particular cleaning agent that will get it clean, but not ruin it? I have Simple green. 93gsxturbo,WD40 is a cleaning agent?

I would clean it and put in the REPU, it is super cool. I have my great Grandmother's Coleman on my picnic table. I have two turnbuckles that lock it into place on the back but I can still take it off pretty easy if I need to. I'm sure it isn't as old as yours but she passed away 30 years ago so it's pretty old. People always comment on the vintage cooler. 

NYN

Most any household cleaner will do.  White scotch brite pad and simple green (diluted properly) or other soapy goodness.

WD40 works well for a while.  Not really as a cleaning agent (although the solvents in it would likely remove the oxidation).  The petroleum lubes in it would work like most any oil... give it a temporary sheen.  I have done it before, but I can't take the smell, especially if its going in a car.

Mazdax605 said:

Can you guys suggest any particular cleaning agent that will get it clean, but not ruin it? I have Simple green. 93gsxturbo,WD40 is a cleaning agent?

My dad was a museum curator.  He always recommends starting at the lowest level and moving up.  I'd start with a simple soapy bath with dawn and water.  From there move up to something a little stronger in the grease and crud cutting, my preferred is ammonia.  After that you're looking at serious cleaning which this doesn't need.  

From there, I'd just wax it and see how it looks.  Be careful around the logo, waxing may remove it.

Mr_Asa said:

Mazdax605 said:

Can you guys suggest any particular cleaning agent that will get it clean, but not ruin it? I have Simple green. 93gsxturbo,WD40 is a cleaning agent?

My dad was a museum curator.  He always recommends starting at the lowest level and moving up.  I'd start with a simple soapy bath with dawn and water.  From there move up to something a little stronger in the grease and crud cutting, my preferred is ammonia.  After that you're looking at serious cleaning which this doesn't need.  

From there, I'd just wax it and see how it looks.  Be careful around the logo, waxing may remove it.

As a professional in the cleaning chemicals industry, this is solid advice. Start mild, work toward the strong stuff. Carwash soap, then dawn dish detergent, then something like windex. Stuff like degeasers or "all purpose cleaners" are going to be more alkaline and could damage the paint, only go there as a last resort. I suspect you won't need more than the dawn.

Also, since my last name is Sexton, if anyone ever sees another of these I'm officially offering a bounty now...

I agree with the last two posters - start out with mild soap and water, and only work up to harsher methods if necessary.  I wouldn't use a Scotchbrite or steel wool, they'll scratch the paint.

Mr_Asa said:

Mazdax605 said:

Can you guys suggest any particular cleaning agent that will get it clean, but not ruin it? I have Simple green. 93gsxturbo,WD40 is a cleaning agent?

My dad was a museum curator.  He always recommends starting at the lowest level and moving up.  I'd start with a simple soapy bath with dawn and water.  From there move up to something a little stronger in the grease and crud cutting, my preferred is ammonia.  After that you're looking at serious cleaning which this doesn't need.  

From there, I'd just wax it and see how it looks.  Be careful around the logo, waxing may remove it.

Clarification: add ammonia to some soap and water.  Dont use just ammonia.  No one is gonna enjoy that.

One cup added to a gallon of soapy water to start is probably a good beginning 

My parents had one like that. Not sure if it was a Sexton or not, but it was the same color for sure. Does it have bottle openers built into the handles?

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

aircooled said:

As far as the asbestos, the only concern with that ever has been when you mess with it then breath in a LOT of the dust (the lawyers on TV will of course imply otherwise).  So if you are not planning on taking a job in an asbestos factory anytime soon, I would not put any concern in that.

Yup.  People get a little antsy around asbestos, but undisturbed, it won't hurt a thing.  I have asbestos insulation all through my theater.  Asbestos ceiling tiles, floor tiles, pipe insulation, roofing tile, fireproof plaster in the boiler room.... it's not an issue unless I started tearing it out and sending the dust everywhere.

I am assuming your par cans do not have asbestos on the wires?

How do we get 7 posts past that table and no one says a thing about how bad ass it it?

In reply to Steve_Jones :

Hopefully no one does. It is kind of old news that it exists and I am not trying to hijack the thread, I was just showing the cooler. I almost didn't put the pic with it for that reason. 

NYN

My old buddy Jeff Walters did a book on Ice Chests ,

He would go down to the swap meets in Texas and fill up his truck and trailer with coolers and other cool stuff, 

The Complete Guide to Collectible Picnic Coolers & Ice Chests , 1994

mad_machine (Forum Supporter) said:

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

aircooled said:

As far as the asbestos, the only concern with that ever has been when you mess with it then breath in a LOT of the dust (the lawyers on TV will of course imply otherwise).  So if you are not planning on taking a job in an asbestos factory anytime soon, I would not put any concern in that.

Yup.  People get a little antsy around asbestos, but undisturbed, it won't hurt a thing.  I have asbestos insulation all through my theater.  Asbestos ceiling tiles, floor tiles, pipe insulation, roofing tile, fireproof plaster in the boiler room.... it's not an issue unless I started tearing it out and sending the dust everywhere.

I am assuming your par cans do not have asbestos on the wires?

Not any more.  The few I had I re-wired.... not because of the asbestos, but because of the arcing, flaming sparks of death.

I only have a few left.  We got a grant for all new LED fixtures.  The old fixtures that remain, some of them I use for studio lights for headshots, and most of the rest have been re-wired with lamp cord and edison sockets for regular LED bulbs.  They're in the lobby for indirect lighting.