Quote Originally Posted by Patrick Bernardo View Post
Nobody else has mentioned an obvious possibility, so I will. Just based on the photo, and it's hard to see, is it possible that this was simply stored with something sitting on top of it so that it gathered patina at different rates? It really doesn't look like a repair from here.
Patrick,

Thanks for your response.

The 'line' continues across the top of the side. There does not appear to be any 'repair' evidence from the inside. the different 'shades' appeared when sanding the side, the orange shade is rust that was not totally removed by flat sanding. And yet, when I run my finger across, I feel nothing.

I am not going to stress over this, and concentrate on repairing the tote.

John

John