Unused Mail Box FRAME Gets A Facelift
We purchased our house over 37 years ago and this mailbox was in the front yard. We have ALWAYS gotten our mail at the local post office and NEVER used this mail box except at Christmas when it got decorated. It looks really grungy but help is on the way. Now I know some of you are asking why keep it in the yard? We had considered switching to home mail delivery several times through the years but in this day and time with so much mail theft and identity theft, we just never have changed it. Anyway, during this pandemic, I have thought of more projects than I can do. It’s nothing for me to have 2 to 3 projects going simultaneously. But as a “southpaw” or left-handed person, I am always creating things in my mind. I literally have nights that it is hard for me to turn off my brain and go to sleep. Anybody else have this problem? Anyway, back to the mailbox.
The hubby and I were in Lowe’s recently and I spotted these lovely black hammered metal house numbers. Well, right there in Lowe’s, the wheels started turning in my head. So I purchased 6 numbers at $3.48 each. I literally got my idea for this project while in Lowe’s.
When we got home hubby started taking the mailbox completely off the stand. He pulled the remaining stand out of the ground. Concrete attached. The frame needed some extensive cleaning and to be repainted.
Hubby had a leftover plank of primed lumber here at home from another project and we decided the height, width, and depth that we wanted to use for the house number sign. This is the box for the holding our address number info. I put a coat of Rustoleum spray paint on the nails and screws to deter any rust before the final painting. I will give it several more coats just for good measure.
Well, I got the awfully dirty frame scrubbed with detergent and scrub brush and let it dry in the sunshine. I then used black Rustoleum spray paint to cover the frame. So far, I gave it three coats and allowed the paint to completely dry between coats. I used some white outdoor enamel paint and gave the box three coats of it. The box was then put onto the frame. Next came putting the house numbers onto the box. I knew that I wanted something ornate on the box top. I looked all over my house for something I could use. This was what I found. It is a metal lid that goes on a metal piece that I have had for many years. It was an off white color. So again, I grabbed my black Rustoleum spray paint that put four coats of paint onto it.
My vision of this project is now completed. Hubby and I both are happy with the final result. It has now been replaced back in the front yard. I went ahead and took this final picture even though it is overcast today. Quite a transformation. From ugly mail box to pretty address sign. Now on to another project.........Lol.
Would love for you to take a look at some of my other projects. You might find something that you want to make for your homes.
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Like it , I like it.
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Thank you Carol. We thought it turned out nicely. It is still looking great and hasn’t needed refurbishing it yet! Glad you like it. Thanks again.
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Looks great, I can't imagine having to pick up my mail every day! I think most of the security issues are online. As far as I know my mails never been stolen! It seems the older I get (I'm 66) the more I create in the middle of the night too! So, aggravating when I want to sleep!
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Because we have always traveled quite often, we decided long ago to get our mail at the post office. It just works for us. I also check the USPS Informed Delivery application online everyday. You can see what mail is coming to you on a daily basis. If it’s mostly junk mail, we don’t go to the post office. Good to know somebody besides me has creativeness when trying to go to sleep. Lol.
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This is really nice and I would love to try it.
Questions: So, is the actual mailbox inside the wood box? What about the red flag for outgoing mail? And the flag for mail that has been delivered? Is this USPS regulation size? Pictures of the front would be nice, also.