Mailbox rehabilitation

Sheds, garages...tree houses?
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kevm14
Posts: 15200
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Mailbox rehabilitation

Post by kevm14 »

I did this 3 weeks ago during our fake spring weather.

This thing was totally destroyed. We did continue using it after moving in but the door hanging on by a thread was the last straw. I would come home from work and see our mail just sitting in the box, door wide open. I had to do something.
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First obvious thing to do was remove the old mailbox and see what kind of mount I have to work with. I did add a nut and a washer to one of the rear carriage bolts since it was just missing. The wood is old and the post is old but I was determined to make it all work - not the best time of the year to do a new post. I think this pic was after I wire wheeled every metal surface I could reach.
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The post actually looks like 1/8" galvanized pipe (I didn't measure) and at the top, there were actually threads. Maybe back in the day something was threaded on. I have no idea. But my plan was to cap this with something so I knew I would have to at least cut it off flush. So I did, using a long blade on my reciprocating saw.
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For paint I decided on Rustoleum primer and Rustoleum black gloss (oil based). It seemed like the best thing that Home Depot sold. I bought new paint brushes just for painting because the guy said it would take a lot of cleaning with acetone to reuse the brushes. Here it is after priming.
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Top coat of black gloss. I know Rustoleum has been around long enough for other companies to come out with better products but this paint is still very hard and tough. And a total mess to clean up, just like similar products. Yes I painted the wood, to hide it as best as I could.
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I had to let it dry for 24 hours before the second coat. That's when I power washed the Ranger and Ram.
kevm14
Posts: 15200
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: Mailbox rehabilitation

Post by kevm14 »

After letting it dry, I executed my solution for hiding the open ends of the pipe: 3" PVC caps. They fit snugly (after being coaxed with a mallet).
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Painted the caps (and I assume a second coat on the whole thing). To fit the mailbox, I actually had to chisel away 3/4" of wood at the back side because it wouldn't clear the lip under the new mailbox. Here it is mounted and screwed in.
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To finish it off, number stickers.
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Wasn't trying to make a statement. I just wanted something clean and simple that blended in with the area. This does the trick. It will probably last a long time, as long as a plow doesn't destroy it. Which was another reason I didn't want to go crazy on some fancy post and box. I will tally the costs next.
kevm14
Posts: 15200
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: Mailbox rehabilitation

Post by kevm14 »

Mailbox: $30
Stickers: $4
Primer: $8.46
Paint: $8.46
Paint brushes: $8.34
PVC caps: $7.90

Had the screws, washer and nut.

Total: $67.24 (plus tax).
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