Repair-It

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. I had to let it dry for 24 hours before the second coat. That's when I power washed the Ranger and Ram.

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). 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. To finish it off, number stickers. 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.

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).