Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Antique icebox Q&A's, Problems & Solutions
Q. Hey my name is Stacy
I have a wood Mccray ice box, 4 doors. On the upper left hand corner are the numbers 71145.
It has been painted white and has black mold on it but up under that it is gorgeous. It has a hole in bottom of left center. I am trying to find out what the numbers mean and how to refurbish it, thank you.
- Gaffney South Carolina
April 13, 2022
Q. Hi Stacey, is it possible for you to tell me exactly what the nameplate on yours says? I'm refinishing mine, I'm pretty sure it's a McRae and it's missing the nameplate. I would like to get a reproduction made. Thank you so much, Robin
Robin Middleton- Victoria BC, Canada
September 5, 2023
A. Hi Robin. In case we can't reach Stacy, I have forwarded to you her original full size pic of the nameplate. It seems to say:
McCRAY
-PATENTED-
KENDALLVILLE IND., U.S.A.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
⇩ Related postings, oldest first ⇩
Q. I am restoring a early 19th century ice box. There is a compartment on top that would hold a block of ice, which is made from zinc (I believe). The inside of the bottom section was peeling paint and I have stripped it to the bare metal (same metal).
My question is: What do I use to clean the metal to improve the appearance of it. The bottom section or "fridge" part ... should it be painted", or left to bare metal. If it should be painted, what would I paint it with.
Hobbyist - Antique Furniture - Stouffville, Ontario, Canada
2004
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Q. Hi, - Reston, Virginia 2004 Q. Did any of you ever get responses about your metal icebox? I have the same question and I came across this site. What did you end up doing? Lori McCanton- Saint Paul, Minnesota May 29, 2009 |
A. Hi, folks. Often it's not possible or practical to restore old metal chemically. It may be pitted, or the original finish may have partially worn off or corroded off, or the discoloration runs too deep.
Rather, you probably need to mechanically buff/polish it with a buffing machine or at least an electric drill and buffing pad and a metal polish. If the metal has a plating/coating on it, this poses some danger of buffing it away, but there may be no alternative.
To preserve the metallic look you can clear coat it. To paint it, you'll need to start with a Self-etching primer
⇦this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links]
to get adhesion. Then you can use whatever paint you like for a topcoat. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
June 5, 2009
Q. Hello I just came here trying to find anything on our tin icebox; where and when they were made and can I find some hardware for mine? Door and the icebox pull missing.
Bruce miner- Owen Sound, ontario, canada
March 17, 2010
Q. Hello,
I, too, have an old metal icebox. It was purchased by my parents in probably the 1930's --unless it belonged to my grandparents, then it would have been purchased probably in the 1920's. It is a White Steel by the Crystal Refrigerator Company. I have been unable to find out anything about this icebox. It has been painted, but the paint on the outside of the icebox is in very bad shape. What do I need to do to make it look good and be marketable?
Thank you,
- Fayetteville, Pennsylvania
April 13, 2010
Q. I am refinishing/restoring a "Vegetable Display" icebox made by Crystal, in Fremont NE around the turn of the century.
It is similar to "chocolate display" icebox configurations, but the icebox section on top had an open grate bottom to allow the melting ice to drip down on to the contents, then the water would collect in the open pan bottom, to about 4" deep, before overflowing to the floor drain pan.
The cabinet is made from what appears to be poplar, with a redwood base. All metal on the interior was past restoring, so we painstakingly removed it to expose all of the redwood and poplar. We'll be adding redwood glazing stops, and a redwood crown molding on top to allow for a glass hat to allow more light into the display case.
The doors were originally a enamel creme color, and are completely galvanized wrapped, so we'll be sanding those down to rid ourselves of the galvanization (using all dust protection) and replacing the original creme color via a quality automotive paint.
Anyone with any info on Crystal Co.?
Any cabinet pics, details of nameplate, anything at all, would be appreciated.
Thanks!
- Alliance, Nebraska
December 12, 2010
Q. I have an icebox that is probably 20's or 30's vintage, the name plate says "Progress, Progress Refrigerator Co., Louisville, K.Y.", with "Cork Insulated" above the name. The two doors had a type of rolled fabric weatherstrip tacked around the inner edge that I am assuming was part of the original manufacture, to help keep the cold from escaping. Is there a replacement source for this weatherstrip material? I would appreciate any kind of suggestion.
Shirley Gartunghobbyist - Strathmore, California, USA
December 11, 2010
Q. I am attempting to restore 2 vintage GE refrigerators. Both are in great condition for their age and still work. I would like to restore these back to original condition. I would like to think I can handle any task but I think this is beyond me. Any suggestions on how to get these back to new condition?
Hobbyist - Alloway, New Jersey, United States
August 28, 2011
Q. I'm trying to find out what year my antique ice box was made. It has a brass label on it from the Crystal Refrigerator Co. It has three doors and I think it must have had a fourth door on the bottom. It looks a lot like a 1920's model. I also would like to know its original color.
TLBiggs- Delta, Colorado, USA
November 25, 2012
Q. I have a question on a two door metal ice box. I am not sure of manufacturer, it could be a Bohn. I need to know how to put the interior together. I know where the trays go but there is a down spout like a drain and a cap. There are what could be two side pieces with fins and a piece that has curved almost like legs that it looks like the drain spout fits into. I could send picture if needed.
Brian JACK- Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, Canada
August 7, 2013
Gentle Readers:
We don't know of any owner groups, fan clubs, collector sites, or any other gathering place for enthusiasts of these old iceboxes, and we'd be delighted to be that place! We'll provide all the space & bandwidth that anyone needs, and include your photographs, historical articles, or other materials of interest :-)
BUT! Nobody is standing by to research & answer any of your questions, so adding yours to an already long stream of unanswered ones is a waste of your time and everyone else's :-(
Rather, the path forward seems to be to take the time to read other people's questions, say hello to them, and try to share experiences. A drive-by drop off of your own question when there are ten unanswered ones in front of it is unfortunately a bit silly :-)
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Getting rid of odor in zinc lined oak icebox? I have tried baking soda and leaving doors open. Cannot get rid of smell. HELP.
Patsy Carron- Festus Missouri
September 7, 2020
Q. I have an antique wooden ice box with lined inside with metal. Cannot get the odor to go away. How can I get the odor out?
Jeanne Lassi- Oak Forest Illinois
October 23, 2020
A. What's usually creating the smell is the insulation that's behind the metal. It's made of paper with fiberglass type wool inside it. Remove it and then clean and sanitize or go back to the baking soda first. That should help and then seal it with whatever finish top coat your going to be using.
Tim Thompson- East Aurora, New York
February 5, 2021
If you grew up using an icebox then the slight smell of sour milk is very much the charm of an old icebox.
- Baker, Minnesota
March 29, 2021
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