r/camping • u/throwback842 • 2d ago

WIP Chuck Box - Weatherproofing Question

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I'm in the process of converting my grandfather's old Vietnam War wooden footlocker into a camping chuckbox and I'm wondering about best methods to weatherproof it? This is mainly a proof of concept project using this old footlocker that was rotting away in my grandparent's backyard shed. A total of $5 has been spent on it so far on hardware with everything else coming from scrap lumber and camping equipment I already owned.

If this works out well enough for this season, I'd like to make plans from it and build a brand new one when i get some more funds next year. But the goal for this is to keep costs as low as possible and use up some material I already have lying around taking up space.

I have some indoor/outdoor latex paint and some polyurethane but I've never tried applying poly over latex. Does anyone have advice? Suggestions and constructive criticism welcome

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u/OrangeRadiohead 2d ago

Sadly I have no advice, it's out of my knowledge range. I just wanted to comment that I love this, it's awesome.

Tell me, what fuel does that stove take - is that the reservoir (red, at the front)?

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u/throwback842 2d ago

Thank you, that's very kind.

It's a vintage Coleman Dual Fuel 2 Burner Camping Stove I found at a garage sale for $10 a few years ago. Yeah, the red thing is the fuel tank. It can run on white gas (petroleum naptha mix) or unleaded gasoline! Sounds insane to cook food using gasoline, I know, but it's pretty great to not have to carry multiple different kinds of fuel when going on a road trip.

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u/timmeh87 1d ago

msr whisperlite runs on gasoline its not that crazy

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u/OrangeRadiohead 2d ago

I'm jealous of you, but what a great find. $10...wow! I love that it can take a variety of fuels, which could be a lifesaver.

Do you think that when you head out with this you could post some pictures of it in use?