Spray Paint Mailbox Makeover
Is your mailbox in need of a little love? Check out our quick spray paint mailbox makeover.
Through years of snow, sun, wind, and rain, our mailbox had been through the wringer. After a simple spray paint refresh, the mailbox looked clean and bright. But, once I get started with spray paint, it’s hard to stop. First, I added house numbers to the post. Then, I grabbed my favorite blue spray paint and added a stripe and house numbers on the mailbox. The pops of color brighten up the refreshed mailbox.
Here are some of our favorite outdoor projects:
Spray Paint Tips:
- Spray in overlapping passes to ensure full coverage. I work in roughly 1 foot passes, releasing nozzle when changing direction (to give my finger a rest and avoid drips).
- Keep the can moving when depressing the nozzle to prevent drips.
- Spray from various angles to cover all nooks and edges.
- Apply several light coats. Heavy coats can cause drips.
- Fix drips by gently dabbing with a rag. Then reapply paint.
- When finished, hold the can upside down and spray on the ground or cardboard for a few seconds. This will help avoid a clogged nozzle when storing the can.
How to Spray Paint Mailbox Makeover
Solid Color Mailbox Makeover
Materials:
- exterior spray paint and primer
- brown paper bags or newspaper
- painter’s tape
- rag
- fine grit sandpaper or steel wool
- mask
- optional: gloves
1. Prep the Mailbox
Lightly sand the mailbox with steel wool or fine grit sandpaper. Wipe all surfaces to remove dirt and dust.
Spray paint can have a lot of overspray. Use painter’s tape to protect any areas on the mailbox or post you don’t want painted. Newspaper or paper grocery bags work to cover large surfaces – secure the edges with painter’s tape.
Remove the flag or cover with paper and painter’s tape.
2. Prep Yourself
Wear old clothes and a mask as spray paint fumes are strong. Consider latex gloves to avoid overspray on your hands. I don’t wear gloves because I find it more difficult to hold the can and press the nozzle.
3. Ready, Set, Spray
Hold the can 6″-8″ away to start, but move closer, maybe 3″-5″, once you are comfortable with the spray amount and coverage.
Full coverage will require multiple light coats. Let paint dry between coats. Some spots may need a few extra coats.
Spray paint all angles of the mailbox, including the edges, corners, and latch.
When the spray paint is completely dry, remove any painter’s tape and overspray protection. If you aren’t adding any other elements, your mailbox makeover is complete! Consider adding some detail with one or more of the below ideas.
Add House Numbers to Post
Additional Materials:
- house numbers
- screw driver or drill with screwdriver bit
Attach house number to the post using a screwdriver or drill with screwdriver bit. Drill pilot holes if necessary.
For more customization, spray paint the house numbers before attaching to the post. Lightly sand the numbers with fine grit sandpaper, then wipe to remove dust. Spray several light coats over numbers in all directions to cover all angles and edges.
Don’t forget to spray the screw heads. Cover all but the screw head with painter’s tape. Then tape the screws to cardboard and spray the heads.
Spray Paint Mailbox Makeover: Stripe
Additional Materials:
- tape measure
- metal straight edge ruler
- pencil
- contrasting spray paint
After the base coat is completely dry, mark the bottom and top of the stripe by measuring from the bottom of the mailbox. Connect the marks using a straight edge.
Place painter’s tape along each edge and press firmly. Cover the rest of the mailbox to protect against overspray.
Spray first with the base color – this helps prevent the contrasting color from seeping under the tape. Then spray with the contrasting color using multiple coats to achieve full, even coverage.
Remove the tape after the stripe is completely dry. If pulling up the painter’s tape removes some base color, cover the stripe with brown paper bags and touch-up the base color. For precise touch-ups, see Touch-Up Tip below.
Spray Paint Mailbox Makeover: House Numbers
Additional Materials:
- house number or house number pattern
- contact paper
- scissors
- pen
- contrasting spray paint
Make a number template in a word processing program by choosing a font and enlarging the numbers to the desired size. Print and cut out the numbers.
Place template on contact paper (we had some leftover from our bookcase makeover). Trace around the template. If you have house numbers, trace around those to create the template. Cut out the inside of the numbers.
Apply contact paper template to mailbox. Press firmly to ensure good attachment. Cover mailbox with newspaper or brown paper bags.
Spray a light coat over the contact paper with the base color, then apply thin coats of the contrast color until numbers are fully covered.
Let the paint dry completely, then remove the contact paper.
Spray Paint Touch-up Tip
Spray paint on a piece of cardboard for several seconds until you have a wet patch of paint. Swipe a cotton swab in the patch, then dab any spots that need touch-up. Repeat as needed.
We love our happily refreshed mailbox. Share your ideas for a spray paint mailbox makeover with us!
Spray Paint Mailbox Makeover
Give your mailbox some love with a quick and easy spray paint makeover. Try a solid color refresh or pops of color with a stripe or house numbers painted on the mailbox.
Materials
- exterior spray paint and primer
- brown paper bags or newspaper
- painter’s tape
- rag
- fine grit sandpaper or steel wool
- mask
- optional: latex gloves
- Adding House Numbers to Post: house numbers
- Spraying House Number on Mailbox: contact paper
Tools
- Adding House Numbers to Post: drill with screwdriver bit or screwdriver
- Spraying Stripe on Mailbox: tape measure, metal straight edge ruler
- Spraying House Number on Mailbox: scissors
Instructions
- Lightly sand the mailbox with steel wool or fine grit sandpaper. Wipe all surfaces to remove dirt and dust.
- Spray paint can have a lot of overspray. Use painter’s tape to protect any areas on the mailbox or post you don’t want painted. Newspaper or paper grocery bags work to cover large surfaces - secure the edges with painter’s tape.
- Remove the flag or cover with paper and painter’s tape.
- Wear old clothes and a mask as spray paint fumes are strong. Consider latex gloves to avoid overspray on your hands. I don’t wear gloves because I find it more difficult to hold the can and press the nozzle.
- Hold the can 6-8 inches away to start, but move closer, maybe 3-5 inches, once you are comfortable with the spray amount and coverage.
- Full coverage will require multiple light coats. Let paint dry between coats. Some spots may need a few extra coats.
- Spray paint all angles of the mailbox, including the edges, corners and latch.
- When the spray paint is completely dry, remove any painter’s tape and overspray protection. If you aren’t adding any other elements, your mailbox makeover is complete! Consider adding some detail with one or more of the below ideas.
- Attach house number to the post using a screwdriver or drill with screwdriver bit. Drill pilot holes if necessary.
- For more customization, spray paint the house numbers before attaching to the post. Lightly sand the numbers with fine grit sandpaper, then wipe to remove dust. Spray several light coats over numbers in all directions to cover all angles and edges.
- Don't forget to spray the screw heads. Cover all but the screw head with painter’s tape. Then tape the screws to cardboard and spray the heads.
- After the base coat is completely dry, mark the bottom and top of the stripe by measuring from the bottom of the mailbox. Connect the marks using a ruler.
- Place painter's tape along each edge and press firmly. Cover the rest of the mailbox to protect against overspray.
- Spray first with the base color - this helps prevent the contrasting color from seeping under the tape.
- Spray with the contrasting color using multiple coats to achieve full, even coverage.
- Remove the tape after the stripe is completely dry. If pulling up the painter’s tape removes some base color, cover the stripe with brown paper bags and touch-up the base color. For precise touch-ups, see Touch-Up Tip below.
- Make a number template in a word processing program by choosing a font and enlarging the numbers to the desired size. Print and cut out the numbers. Place on contact paper and trace outline. Cut out the inside of the numbers.
- Apply contact paper template to mailbox. Press firmly to ensure good attachment.
- Cover mailbox with newspaper or brown paper bags. Spray a light coat over the contact paper with the base color, then apply thin coats of the contrast color until numbers are fully covered.
- Let the paint dry completely, then remove the contact paper.
Add House Number to Post
Spray Paint Stripe On Mailbox
Spray House Numbers On Mailbox
Notes
Spray Paint Tips:
- Shake can well and follow instructions.
- Spray in overlapping passes to ensure full coverage. I work in roughly 1 foot passes, releasing nozzle when changing direction (to give my finger a rest and avoid drips).
- Keep the can moving when depressing the nozzle to prevent drips.
- Spray from various angles to cover all nooks and edges.
- Apply several light coats. Heavy coats can cause drips.
- Fix drips by gently dabbing with a rag. Then reapply paint.
- When finished, hold the can upside down and spray on the ground or cardboard for a few seconds. This will help avoid a clogged nozzle when storing the can.
Touch-up Tip
Spray paint on a piece of cardboard for several seconds until you have a wet patch of paint. Swipe a cotton swab in the patch, then dab any spots that need touch-up. Repeat as needed.
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