Hey Guys,

So after the door of my current mailbox rusted off, I’m in need of a new one. Why not just run to Home Depot, Menards, or Lowes you might ask?

Well I did this weekend and here is the catch. I live in a neighborhood where everyone has to have the same white/off-white (depending on how you look at it) mailbox and post. The post is wood and the mailbox is a galvanized metal.

The mailbox is what I guess is classified as "jumbo" in that it's 24" deep, 15" tall, and 11" wide, and made out of metal.

I went to Home Depot, Menards, and Lowes on Sunday and none of these stores carried a mailbox this size. Then I went to Fleet Farm and they have the exact size I need and design, however, it's black.

Why not paint it white will most likely be your next question. Well, if one was to paint a black mailbox white, over time and rubbing of the door going up and down will eventually rub off the white paint (regardless of type) and go down to the original black spray.

So I'm looking online for a solution and I can't find it anywhere.

Does anyone have past experience ordering a new mailbox online or have better search techniques then I do?

Thanks again,

Duke

PS. It needs to be the dimensions I specified above, plain in design and shape, and a off white or white. I can't decide it they were originally off white or everyone else hasn't repainted their mailbox and it's just a worn looking white.

 

duke....

be a rebel
get whatever kinda mailbox you want....
how about one of those that looks like a large mouth bass.... that would really **** off the neighbors

see ya

oaw

 

Powdercoat

 

LOL, that would really **** some people off and I think I'd get quite a few nasty letters.




Well I did find the one company that makes these mailboxes. http://www.thesolargroup.com/steelpm.html

Turns out my local Ace Hardware is the only store that has them in stock.

Here is the remaining problem. Getting this thing from a silver color to a white. Then it needs to stay white and not rub off where the door goes over the other portion of the mailbox.

The original paint is a baked enamel. Any tips on this?


Doesn't powdercoat leave a dull or textured finish? I didn't think powdercoat could give a semi gloss smooth finish?



Thanks,

Duke

 

Yes.
Call the president of your Homeowners association.
He should have this info at his/her fingertips.

If they are going to have the audicity to tell you that you got the wrong one,
they damn sure better be able to tell you how to get the right one.

I wouldn't beat myself up over it.
(serve the ball over the net and wait for a return, then you know which way to move your feet)

 

Nope, smooth as a babies bottom. No texture to it depending on the metal surface it is applied to of course. Just looking on eastwoodco.com, there is a 15% gloss and an 85% gloss. You can even get chrome powdercoat.

 

Spray it with rustoleum, and bake in the oven on low heat for 2 hours. Best bet it to do two coats with baking inbetween.

 

Here is the funny/odd thing and a great thing too as I've never been a fan of Homeowners Associations, we don't have one.

There isn't a Homeowner's Association here, but everyone still has the same mailbox as that was the way the neighborhood was built. I think it looks nice, so I don't want to start getting creative. I believe it's called the path of least resistance.

In regards to Powdercoating. Is this something I can buy at a local store and do myself?

Duke

 

You should check another Home Depot in your area or have them get one for you. They definately have the exact mailbox you listed in the link because I saw them Saturday when I went and bought a new one myself. If one Home Depot carries it, they all can get it. I also agree with what others said...if your Homeowners Assoc wants everything to be that picky, they should be able to tell you exactly where to get the mailbox you need, if not order one for you.

 

This begs a few questions....

- what is considered "low heat"
- what is the risk to a oven that is designated for food

 

No home owners association?
Then this part would really, really **** me off.

 

Did you see them in white?

Duke

EDIT: I just searched lowes.com and homedepot.com, keyword "mailbox" and didn't see the large size, post mounted, mailbox.

 

Haha, did you never learn how to just conform to what society wants of you?

I'm assuming there would be some old pissy lady who would not like a "creative" looking mailbox in my yard.

Besides, I don't think I'd like to pull into the driveway every day and see a barn, fish, or regular mailbox with a picture painted on it. (No offense to those on here that do)

Duke

 

Fess up, Duke.
If I lived in your neighborhood I'd be getting a letter......from you.

 

Eastwood Elite HotCoat Kit<-$179.99 with your choice of four colors. Or black and your two colors for $129.99.

It does highly recommend a dedicated oven, not one that will ever be used for preparing food.

Probably not worth one mailbox, but think if you went with a bright cherry red and offered $20 per mailbox in your neighborhood to match! Plus you can coat any metal object in sight.

Likely, I don't think this would be economical for you to approach, but it would be badass!