Fixing Up an Old Mailbox (paint, install, cleaning, light)

[AVTechMan]

I have a question concerning my mailbox....while doing a little cleaning on my property 2 weeks ago I found an old mailbox that is in good shape, but has some rust on the inside. The red flag is also in good shape as well. Its mostly surface rust so I could easily get it out with a wire brush. The mailboxes in my area are usually by the roadside (in my case along the county road) but there's no mailbox in front of my house. I figure instead of buying one I have one here I can fix up.

May be a too simple of a question, but would the best way to fix it up would be to get all the surface rust from the inside and then perhaps spray-paint it inside and out? If I do that and once freshly painted I can apply the new stickers of my address on there. Some people put their last name on their box, but I rather not do that though, as I figure the address is sufficient enough.

Where I am at I can't install the mailbox on the pole and stick it in the ground on my own since the county maintenance dept said that they would take it down if seen. I will have to bring them the mailbox in and when the maint people do their runs during the week they will install the box with the pole alongside the road. I believe they use the type of pole with reflective material for visibility which is why I think they have to put it up. But it doesn't cost me anything though.

Either way what would be the best way to fix up my old mailbox?

[Poltracker]

I used a sandblaster on my old mailbox to get the rust off and scruff up the original brass finish, then repainted with a metallic paint (hammered copper) to match the finishes on my light fixtures. Don't see why hand sanding with wet/dry sandpaper would not work. Just make sure you get all the rust off then use a quality paint designed for metal.

[chet everett]

Unless the box is VERY heavy plate steel I would just get an Aluminum one. Once cheap thin steel starts to rust it loses integrity on a level you can't see and will always get rusty.

The heavy steel plate mailboxes have a electrostatically applied primer coat that should never come off and typically a powder-coated finish that is quite durable. Old galvanization was effective to a certain extent, but as the tins weathers away the steel is doomed to rust.

[anifani821]

I would clean it up as you said - w/ a wire brush - and maybe some naval jelly - and then I would get some Rustoleum paint. I have painted two different mailboxes in the last 25 years, and did them both that way. Rustoleum is great. I painted one black and the other was more a grey metal color. A new mailbox is not that expensive, but if this one is in good shape, and you can recycle it . . . go for it! Nice to recycle (or reclaim) an object and put it back in service.

[PeterRabbit]

I would use naval jelly although a jar of that might cost as much as a new mailbox. It's handy to have around anyhow.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

I would use naval jelly although a jar of that might cost as much as a new mailbox. It's handy to have around anyhow.

I agree, PeterR. I put naval jelly to good use in many ways, including reclaiming tools my DH has let get rusted!!! The stuff is great - once you have some at your disposal, you do find other ways to use it . . . at least, I have.