http://blog.y2kbugger.com/2026-05-11T14:48:14.746730-04:002018-10-08T23:09:30-04:002026-05-11T14:48:14.746730-04:00zak kohlertag:blog.y2kbugger.com,2018-10-08:/steel-tanker-desk.html

<p>A low-text photo log of restoring a steel tanker desk and matching file cabinet, from teardown to final assembly.</p>

<p><img alt="Finished desk and file cabinet" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/finished-desk-with-chair-and-file-cabinet.jpg"> <em>Finished desk and file cabinet.</em></p> <h2>My grandfathers desk</h2> <p>Inherited my grandfather's steel tanker desk, and found a General Fireproofing file cabinet to match.</p> <p><img alt="Desk before restoration in workshop" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/desk-before-restoration-in-workshop.jpg"> <em>Desk before restoration in workshop.</em></p> <p><img alt="Initial teardown before moving" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/cabinet-interior-before-restoration.jpg"> <em>Initial teardown before moving.</em></p> <p><img alt="Desk disassembled parts in room" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/desk-disassembled-parts-in-room.jpg"> <em>Desk disassembled parts in room.</em></p> <p><img alt="Desk loaded into the trunk" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/desk-loading-into-car-trunk.jpg"> <em>Desk loaded into the trunk.</em></p> <p><img alt="Desk and cabinet after pickup" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/desk-and-panels-on-car.jpg"> <em>Desk and cabinet after pickup.</em></p> <h2>Tear-down</h2> <p>The starting point was solid but rough, with rust, dirt, and worn paint all over the working parts.</p> <p><img alt="Worn mounting bolt closeup" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/worn-mounting-bolt-closeup.jpg"> <em>Worn mounting bolt closeup.</em></p> <p><img alt="Lead test kit" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/lead-test-kit.jpg"> <em>Lead test kit.</em></p> <p>The lead test took about 24 hours to develop, which points toward a chromate-based lead yellow rather than a quicker-reacting pigment.</p> <p><img alt="Grandfathers die found within" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/grandfathers-die-found-within.jpg"> <em>Grandfathers die found within.</em></p> <p>I put my grandfather's die back inside as an easter egg for whoever is next to disassemble it.</p> <h2>Prep</h2> <p>Once the desk was apart, the job became cleaning, sorting hardware, and getting every panel ready for paint.</p> <p><img alt="Sorted hardware bags" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/sorted-hardware-bags.jpg"> <em>Sorted hardware bags.</em></p> <p><img alt="Cleaned parts staged for paint" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/stripped-desk-parts-on-movers-blanket.jpg"> <em>Cleaned parts staged for paint.</em></p> <p><img alt="Door panels ready for paint" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/door-panels-ready-for-paint.jpg"> <em>Door panels ready for paint.</em></p> <p><img alt="Linoleum desktop" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/linoleum-desktop.jpg"> <em>Linoleum desktop.</em></p> <p><img alt="Steel age nameplate closeup" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/steel-age-nameplate-closeup.jpg"> <em>Steel age nameplate closeup.</em></p> <p><img alt="Masked nameplate before paint" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/masked-nameplate-before-paint.jpg"> <em>Masked nameplate before paint.</em></p> <p><img alt="Shoe covers and paint can" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/shoe-covers-and-paint-can.jpg"> <em>Shoe covers and paint can.</em></p> <p><img alt="Respirator selfie 4" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/respirator-selfie-4.jpg"> <em>Respirator selfie 4.</em></p> <h2>Paint</h2> <p>The blue frame color and gray panels brought it back fast once the pieces were clean and ready for paint.</p> <p><img alt="Garage paint booth wide" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/garage-paint-booth-wide.jpg"> <em>Garage paint booth wide.</em></p> <p><img alt="Painted parts hanging in garage" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/painted-parts-hanging-in-garage.jpg"> <em>Painted parts hanging in garage.</em></p> <p><img alt="Cabinet shell in primer" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/primed-cabinet-shell.jpg"> <em>Cabinet shell in primer.</em></p> <p><img alt="Freshly painted cabinet shell" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/painted-desk-body-in-garage.jpg"> <em>Freshly painted cabinet shell.</em></p> <p><img alt="Painted desktop underside" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/painted-desktop-underside.jpg"> <em>Painted desktop underside.</em></p> <h2>Reassembly</h2> <p>Once the paint was done, the desk started to come back together in stages, beginning with the cabinet and working back toward the sliding parts and locks.</p> <p><img alt="Finished file cabinet" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/finished-file-cabinet.jpg"> <em>Finished file cabinet.</em></p> <p><img alt="Desk top and side panels fit check" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/desk-top-and-side-panels-fit-check.jpg"> <em>Desk top and side panels fit check.</em></p> <p><img alt="Typewriter shelf installed" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/typewriter-shelf-installed.jpg"> <em>Typewriter shelf installed.</em></p> <p><img alt="Desk reassembled with the typewriter shelf" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/typewriter-shelf-installed-2.jpg"> <em>Desk reassembled with the typewriter shelf.</em></p> <p><img alt="Drawer shelf installed" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/drawer-shelf-installed.jpg"> <em>Drawer shelf installed.</em></p> <p><img alt="Typewrite body partially reassembled" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/typewrite-body-partially-reassembled.jpg"> <em>Typewrite body partially reassembled.</em></p> <p><img alt="Desk during final assembly" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/desk-during-final-assembly.jpg"> <em>Desk during final assembly.</em></p> <p><img alt="Desk lock closeup 3" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/desk-lock-closeup-3.jpg"> <em>Desk lock closeup 3.</em></p> <p><img alt="Door latch closeup" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/door-latch-closeup.jpg"> <em>Door latch closeup.</em></p> <h2>Finished</h2> <p>The finished set keeps the industrial look but feels a lot less tired than when it came home.</p> <p><img alt="Finished desk and file cabinet" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/finished-desk-and-file-cabinet.jpg"> <em>Finished desk and file cabinet.</em></p> <p><img alt="Finished desk" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/finished-desk-front.jpg"> <em>Finished desk.</em></p> <p><img alt="Open left cabinet and typewriter shelf" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/finished-desk-open-drawer-and-door.jpg"> <em>Open left cabinet and typewriter shelf.</em></p> <p><img alt="Finished desk with chair and file cabinet" src="../img/steel-tanker-desk/finished-desk-with-chair-and-file-cabinet.jpg"> <em>Finished desk with chair and file cabinet.</em></p>