I see a lot of tools I would like to have, thats for sure.
There a Wizard ratchet, with stripes, in the pile. A 6" Trimo perfect handle monkey wrench, in nearly new condition. Some pliers I have never seen. Lots of stuff.
I figure the painted tools were all crusty nasty fugly when he met them, and he was just doing the best he could.
People always want to think someone refinished a perfect mint 18th century Philadelphia Chippendale highboy, and now the value is ruined.
But the truth is, nobody strips down a perfectly good piece. Why would they?
Beat, damaged, broken ugly things don't have much value, whatever anyone tells you. I suspect his painted tools will still fetch more in the market than they would have, at the bottom of a rusty bucket of pit filled schmutz.
yours Scott