Picnic Cooler Metal Cleaning

[SodaShopNick]

I just picked up a 1960's Coke Picnic cooler (my first picnic cooler) and want to clean it up and was wondering the best way to clean the metal parts.  The interior appears to be galvanized, but the handle plates and hinges look to be a plain metal.  Can I only just go with a good soap and water or can I buff them?   Any help would be appreciate.  As always thank you.

[johnieG]

Depends on what Picnic cooler you have , could be aluminum, or formally paint on now bare galvanized  steel...post a picture


 

[SodaShopNick]

Good point.  Here is the pic.   It is a "Things Go Better with Coke" cooler made by Progressive Refrigeration out of Louisville, KY.

[cohammer]

I clean the outside with a light buffing compound and wax ,soap ,water and if real dirty I use comet and a scrub pad on the trim.

[johnieG]

the hardware looks to be plain zinc plated steel ( not hot-dipped galvanizing like the liner) some fine steel wool & elbow grease will help remove the gray & white "death" (zinc corrodes to a gray/white dust) and help raise a shine, then a nice coating of a paste-wax or a clear coat of paint.

Note: the zinc-oxide dust is irritating to the throat & nose, so if it's heavily oxidized, wear a dust mask.

[SodaShopNick]

Thanks guys!!!