I bought a vintage cooler for my brother for the holidays and will be doing some restoration on it. Since I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know I have a blog let alone read it, I think it’s safe to discuss the process and get feedback from anyone who has experience with this.

Someone in Greece is selling a similar but smaller model on Craiglist (CL is in Greece now?). I borrowed the general stats and photos from their posting and changed them to fit the model I bought. Vintage Vending also has an image of an old advertisement with the cooler listed as one of the items.

1940’s “Six Pack” Acton Picnic Coolers
High-16.5″ – wide approx. 17″- deep- 12 “
Made by the Acton Mfg. Co. Inc.; Arkansas City, Kansas

US Pat.No 86 Folio D-152580
2570300 2576874

Can Pat No. 86 Folio 15064
other patents pending

The Restoration Plan

1. Unscrew and take the cooler apart into pieces

2. Stencil the letters on the side for paint later. Will need to purchase templating film from art store, pencil in the outline of the letters, and cut them out with an Xacto knife.

3. Remove paint. First try to remove paint with a wire brush and sandpaper. If that doesn’t remove enough, use chemical paint stripper. Sand with 80 grit sandpaper and then again with 120 grit sandpaper. Will need proper gloves & ventilation.

4. Clean galvanized metal with soap and water.

5. Repaint. Recommended by ColaMachines.com: Dupont Centari Acrylic enamel, paint code for red 60807-A. For the white, paint code 6731-A. Use stencil to do white lettering after red paint dries.

6. Polish corners and handles with Noxon metal polish.

7. Put it all back together.

Any other suggestions or recommendations?