We tried the Loctite spray to seal the rust two years ago. We then painted the mailbox so that it looked wonderfully new. I was so pleased....for a while.
However, this is what it looks like now. The rust is seeping through again!
Aggravation!
I think it was seeing our neighbor putting up a new mailbox that did it.
Art decided to just replace the old mailbox and go with an aluminum mailbox this time. Steel rusts too quickly in Hawaii and plastic crumbles and cracks. We have no idea what will happen to an aluminum mailbox.
We had to buy new brackets and instead of using the galvanized screws that were provided, Art bought stainless steel screws.
Within a couple of hours, we had a new mailbox.
The mailbox cost only about $22. I'm wondering why we didn't do this two years ago instead of huffing and puffing about the old one.
However, this is what it looks like now. The rust is seeping through again!
Aggravation!
I think it was seeing our neighbor putting up a new mailbox that did it.
Art decided to just replace the old mailbox and go with an aluminum mailbox this time. Steel rusts too quickly in Hawaii and plastic crumbles and cracks. We have no idea what will happen to an aluminum mailbox.
We had to buy new brackets and instead of using the galvanized screws that were provided, Art bought stainless steel screws.
Within a couple of hours, we had a new mailbox.
The mailbox cost only about $22. I'm wondering why we didn't do this two years ago instead of huffing and puffing about the old one.
Wishing that new mailbox a long, attractive life! Do cars in Hawaii have the same problem with rusting?
ReplyDeleteI asked Art and he said that's why he's always wanting to wash the car. Whenever we go close to the beach, he washes down the car too.
DeleteWe go through mailboxes in VT. Usually the snow plow whacks them before they rust out.
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic! Did you consider a plastic one?
ReplyDeleteWe really did, but we've seen plastic deteriorate so much since we've been here that we just don't trust it. Who knows? Maybe next time we will.
DeleteWe have a plastic one here on Oahu & its lasted us over ten years and still looks shiny & new.
DeleteIt looks great! I think you are so fortunate to have Art to fix all your household items. And he does it right! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe road in front of our home is one of the main routes to the lake. On weekends vandals will travel the rural areas smashing mailboxes for sport. Ours has been hit three times. Twice we have had to completely replace the mailbox but this last time they only dented it an if we push or pull real hard we can open and close the box. The next hit will take it out completely. We don't have to worry about rust because the life or our mailbox is not long enough to form rust.
ReplyDeleteThat is just terrible! How awful to have vandals running around amok!
Deletelooks wonderful, it won't rust will it, I know aluminum will corrode over time but at least it doesn't rust! A lot of people here use the big green plastic ones, they are made from really strong plastic like material,
ReplyDeleteFunny how we try and make stuff work. Our mail box was so battered after twenty years the door did not shut properly. Tom kept fooling with it. Until my sister bought a new one and asked him to put it up. I think the old one is somewhere in his man cave.
ReplyDeleteDon't think I have seen an aluminum one before. Looking good.
ReplyDeleteOur mail boxes are two to a pole. Our neighbors just got a very fancy new one, making ours look pretty worn out. I hope your new one last for a long, long time.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's shiny!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a pretty shining bauble in your yard! The delivery person will be impressed.
ReplyDeleteSadly, Art says it won't stay shiny for long. He thinks it will become a dull gray.
DeleteI need a new one too. I'm tempted to get the fancy one that needs a key to get mail out.
ReplyDeleteWe probably should do the same with ours. Yours looks cute.
ReplyDeleteWell, I remember the "huffing and puffing" from two years ago, and it was very entertaining for your blog followers. The sensible $22 investment at that time would have denied us our entertainment.
ReplyDeleteThe new one looks sleek and efficient!
K
Good idea. We need to do something like that. Our mail currently comes through a slot in the door. The mailman tries to put it through and Johnny grabs it. Soon we have confetti all over the foyer. Dianne
ReplyDeleteOur mailbox is made out of some magic vinyl that does not deteriorate. It was here when we moved in in'96,so we have no idea how old it is. Not as pretty as your new mailbox, though.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to know which kind of plastic will survive.
DeleteLiving on a steel boat teaches that rust never sleeps..... Glad you are shiny and new,Kay.
ReplyDeleteAloha
I love your last paragraph and giggled reading it. How true ....I often fret over saving money only to realize the best solution cost only a few dollars more. But these days I like challenging my frugality so I have quite a few of these moments too.
ReplyDeleteL...w
Now there's our rusted steel screen door. Sigh...
DeleteThat's pretty powerful salty sea air. The new one looks great. Would a layer of clear varnish keep it shiny?
ReplyDeleteAluminum is stolen and sold for cash around K.C., so I hadn't seen them. Just tried to refurbish my 23-year-old lawnmower, and the mechanics politely freaked out that it wouldn't be a good idea, or safe this time. The thick-walled aluminum deck was sold for scrap. So my grown kid got a new mower from Mom instead of the one he used as a youngster!
Cheers, DrumMajor
I remember that happening in Illinois. Here in Hawaii thieves seem to want copper. It's ridiculous. They actually steal copper wiring from street lights.
DeleteIt looks beautiful...
ReplyDeleteThe new one looks great to me.
ReplyDeleteIt looks good. I hope it's a good solution. But then even if it only lasts ten years, you've got your money's worth. Just think, what else can you use almost every day for ten years for only $22.00?
ReplyDeleteWe have trouble here with mail theft, so two years ago we invested in a locking mail box. Shortly after Tom installed it, it was taken out by a motorist. With a steel post mounted in concrete, that must have messed up that car pretty good. But of course we never heard from whoever did it. Tom was able to resurrect the mailbox, but I'm not sure how secure it is any more.
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for 10 years. :-)
DeleteVery nice. May your new mailbox be full only with good news in good letters.
ReplyDeleteI am almost inspired to write to you.
Well, that's what happens when you try to paint your mailbox. Once you coat it, you definitely need to repaint it after some time, unlike with having an aluminum mailbox that won't rust. Well, the stainless steel screws go well with any aluminum surface. It's also great to use because it's easy to tighten or loosen.
ReplyDelete