Secrets To Best Spray Paint For Mailbox – Even In This Down Economy

You will find mailboxes in front of almost every house in the United States. It’s the first thing you see before entering someone’s home. So, you would want to keep your mailbox shiny and clean for an excellent first impression.

But is your mailbox in bad shape and needs some makeover? Then, you are at the right place. Spray paint is the best way to paint your old mailboxes and give them a new look.

My mailbox was in terrible shape when I shifted to my new house. A new mailbox costs around 130 dollars, but I saved that money by giving my old mailbox a makeover with under 20 dollars!

I will tell you how to paint your old mailboxes and review the seven best spray paint for mailbox. So, read till the end!

Before we jump to the process, it is better to have complete knowledge about the paint we need to use as it will be the star of the show.

What kind of paint to use on a mailbox?

The best paint for your mailbox depends on the mailbox’s material. The mailbox can be of aluminum, iron, or wood. So, you need to choose the paint according to that and of course your personal preference.

• Primer

It’s an important step that you should not skip when painting your mailbox. Primer helps the paint to sit nicely on the surface and works as an extra covering/ protection. It is required in both wood and iron surfaces.

Primers are available in both water and oil formulas. Oil-based primers are more efficient as they go well with all paints. Rust-Oleum’s Aluminum Professional white primer is one of the best in the market and easy to use.

However, I will review the best 2-in-1 spray paints here that do not need extra primer.

• Water-based paints

If you are not happy with your plain mailbox and plan to decorate it artistically, showing your drawing skills, you can use latex or acrylic paints.

This type of paint works finely on wood or galvanized metals. Acrylic paints are durable in all weathers, so use latex paint with an all-acrylic binder.

• Oil-based paints

Oil-based paints work best on wood surfaces and provide better coverage, especially on stained surfaces. Though oil paints take longer to dry, they are more durable also prevent rust. Do not use oil paints over water-based primers, as it can result in peeling and chipping.

• Spray paints

No matter what, it is the most convenient way to paint a mailbox. The two most popular spray paint manufacturers are Krylon and Rust-Oleum. There are many types of spray paints with different features and benefits.

The first thing to consider before buying spray paint is the price. There is no significant difference in quality between low and high-priced spray paints. The more expensive ones give better coverage, but that can be dealt with multiple strokes.

7 best spray paint for mailbox

These are my seven favorite spray paints from Krylon and Rust-Oleum that are perfect for giving the mailbox your desired look.

1. Krylon Fushion All-in-One Spray Paint

The can says 5 times more adhesion, and I vouch for that. Krylon is America’s first spray coating company, and they haven’t let Americans down since 1947.

You can find this spray paint in seven styles: matte, glossy, metallic, satin, hammered, textured, and flat. For the mailbox, you can choose between matte, gloss, or metallic.

The matte finish looks cool but can’t cover dents and all the imperfections. The glossy finish does this work for you and is also easy to clean and maintain.

Another great advantage of this spray paint is that it works on wood, metal, plastic, all surfaces. So, you don’t have to buy different spray paints if your pole is of timber and the letterbox of metal. It’s also a primer+paint, no wonder the 5x adhesion!

The big-button tip sprays the paint evenly, even upside down, with no drips or errors. The color is dry to touch within twenty minutes of application. And the best part is, you get all this in just less than five dollars! It also provides rust protection.

Pros:

• All-in-One spray paint with primer and rust protection
• 5 times more adhesion
• Available in seven different styles
• It takes less than twenty minutes to dry
• Great coverage

Cons:

• A discrepancy in price online

2. Krylon Colormaxx Spray Paint and Primer

The colormaxx series of Krylon has beautiful shades of colors in eight different styles (matte, gloss, satin, flat, metallic, primer, semi-flat, semi-gloss. It is the third most rated spray paint in Amazon, right behind Krylon Fushion All-in-One.

It provides superior coverage, durability, and production. The primer within the color ensures the paint adheres to the surface. This paint also works on all surfaces like PVC, wood, metal, ceramic, etc.

You can also use it on fabric or paper. It’s applicable for both indoor and outdoor operations. So, it’s safe to use in mailboxes. It also provides rust protection.

The Aerosol pack of 12 ounces can spray paint covers up to 25 square kilometers. The tip is also great, as expected from Krylon. You can choose any color you want for your mailbox of any style.

Pros:

• 2-in-1 spray paint and primer
• It comes in eight different styles
• Provides rust protection
• Durable and perfect finish
• Fast dry in 20 minutes

Cons:

• Not available in packs

3. Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Spray Paint

It is my favorite spray paint for coloring my furniture when I want to give them a vintage look. It’s available in some beautiful pastel colors so that you can give your mailbox a totally different look.

I also love the charcoal color of this spray paint. The color is like a matte blackboard, and it looks very aesthetic on mailboxes. The paint has an oil-based formula, so it’s durable and sits on every surface well.

The formula also helps to hide dents or any sort of imperfections and flaws. Only one coat is enough for all surfaces. The adhesion is also perfect for all surfaces. It dries quickly and goes a long time too.

The only issue is that it does not have a primer within. So, you need to apply an oil-based primer first and then use this spray paint over it. Or you can sand the surface and then paint using the spray paint and coat the paint with Chalked Clear Protective Topcoat Spray.

Pros:

• Ultra-matte velvety finish
• Quick dry
• The oil-based formula for perfect coating
• Great adhesion

Cons:

• No within primer
• Not the best result in outdoors

4. Rust-Oleum Universal Enamel Spray Paint

It is one of the best spray paints from Rust-Oleum. It has a satin finish type that makes the result look so premium. Another discrete feature of this spray paint is its nozzle. It helps to spray accurately at a point.

It is oil-based enamel paint. Enamel paints are made to use mainly on wood and metal. So, they have excellent adhesion and a neat finish. It also prevents rust and covers everything well in just one coat. So, you get a durable finish. You don’t need to buy an extra primer as it is 2-in-1.

The paint can be used both indoor and outdoor. However, it takes a bit more time to dry completely. You have to wait around 30 minutes to let it completely dry. One spray can cover up to 15 square kilometers. It is available in many value packs of 2, 3, and 6 cans.

Pros:

• 2-in-1 Primer+paint
• Works well on all surfaces, both indoor and outdoor
• It prevents rust and fading of the color
• Excellent adhesion

Cons:

• Expensive
• The nozzle is found defective sometimes

5. Rust-Oleum Professional High-Performance Enamel Spray Paint

This spray is made for heavy-use environments. It is rust and corrosion-resistant. So, it can withstand any weather outdoors, just what our mailbox needs!

Though the spray paint does not contain primer, the adhesion is so good that you won’t feel the need for a primer. Only sanding the surface and applying two or more coats of the point is recommended by Rust-Oleum.

You can use this paint on all types of machinery, metals, wood, concrete, etc. It works great both indoors and outdoors. The big tip works evenly from all angles and directions. This advanced formula paint is used in industry for commercial use.

Out of all paints so far, this dries fastest within just fifteen minutes. But the 15 oz spray can cover only 14 sq km. So, it’s not very long-lasting. However, the glossy finishing is efficient and lasts a long time.

Pros:

• Quick fifteen minutes dry
• Rust and corrosion resistant oil-based formula
• Outdoor heavy-environment use
• Smooth glossy finish
• Great adhesion

Cons:

• Not 2-in-1
• Not long-lasting

6. Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Ultra Cover

It is the most popular spray paint of Rust-Oleum. It is a primer plus paint spray paint, so it provides 2x ultra coverage. It works on all surfaces like wood, metal, ceramic, plastic, etc. It is ideal to use both indoors and outdoors.

The oil-based formula of the paint provides long-lasting protection, hides flaws/ chips, and prevents rust. This paint has a low odor for its formula, and that’s another plus!

The tip of the can is perfectly made to spray paint all over the surface evenly. The paint dries quickly within just twenty minutes, and only two coats are enough for a perfectly flawless finish.

The Gloss Black color is perfect for painting a mailbox if you prefer a black mailbox. The glossy finish with double coverage and protection is excellent.

This paint is available in six-packs and 11 and 12 oz cans. The 12 oz spray can cover up to 12 sq km.

Pros:

• 2-in-1spray paint with double coverage
• Works on wood, metal, plastic, and more
• Quick-dry within 20 mins
• Oversized and perfect spray tip
• Gloss finish and rust-resistant spray paint

Cons:

• Less amount of paint/ not long-lasting

7. Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Spray Paint

Oil and enamel-based paints are ideal for resisting rust. Hundred years ago, oil paint was invented by a sea captain when he noticed that his boat stopped rusting where he splashed fish oil. This formula is still used today to make oil and enamel-based paint.

The Rust-Oleum can stand any harsh environment and prevent corrosion and rust. The formula also helps to hide abrasion and get a smooth finish. It also prevents chipping and fading of color. It is the best rustoleum mailbox paint.

The finish of the paint is glossy. It does not have primer in it, but the adhesion and durability are commendable. It takes 2 to 4 hours for the paint to completely dry after the final coat, and one 12 oz can cover 15 sq km. The price is under five dollars.

Pros:

• Rust-resistant, anti-fading, and corrosion formula
• Glossy finish
• Ideal for interior/ outdoor surfaces
• UV Resistant

Cons:

• It takes a long time to dry

Now that we know what the best spray paint for a mailbox is, let’s get to how to paint decorative mailboxes now.

How to paint a mailbox using spray paint?

There are many creative ideas on how to custom paint a mailbox and make it look better. I am sharing here the design I used. You can make your version by using different colors and ideas.

If you just want to paint your full mailbox with one color and don’t want anything extra, you can paint the mailbox where it is and spread some newspaper around the base to not drip paint over the lawn or ground.

But if you plan to put in more effort, then it is better to take out the mailbox and paint the letterbox and pole separately. I unscrewed the mailbox to paint it separately.

The weather has a significant role in the result of the spray paint. The cans of the primers and spray paints say that the ideal temperature of using them is between 50 to 80 Fahrenheit.

So, make sure it’s not too hot while painting the mailbox. Also, ensure the humidity is not more than 85% before painting.

Use a room with good ventilation to paint. Cover your worktable and surrounding area with a cloth or paper to prevent spraying over your surroundings. If you have the house number attached to the pole, take them off before starting.

• Step 1:

The first step is to clean the mailbox and post before working on them thoroughly. If it’s old and dirty, wash it with a soapy cloth and water.

Let it dry before sanding the surface. Use a medium grit sanding sponge to sand the surface of the mailbox. Sand off any scratches or flakes from the mailbox using the sponge. Keep sanding till the mailbox isn’t shiny anymore.

Don’t forget to sand the flag and numbers. Do a final wipe with a dry cloth to eliminate all the debris. Repeat the same procedure for the pole.

• Step 2:

If you are not using 2-in-1 spray paint, you need to prime the box properly before spraying the paint. I have already discussed amount primer and its importance in this article. So, don’t forget to prime the mailbox, post, and numbers before painting.

• Step 3:

If you have used primer, let it dry completely before spraying the paint. You can use any of the best spray paint for mailbox I have reviewed earlier to paint the mailbox and post. I used Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Spray Paint for coloring both my letterbox and post.

I applied 2 coats at a twenty-minute interval. I had unscrewed the red flag earlier and colored it separately. If your flag doesn’t need new painting, you can cover it with painters’ tape while painting the box.

Thoroughly color the pole, too, with the same spray paint. Apply as many coats as possible with a twenty-minute interval for a flawless finish.

• Step 4:

I used Rust-Oleum Universal Enamel Spray Paint to paint my mailbox numbers in the shade Pure Gold. It looks great with Glossy Black.

• Step 5 (Optional):

For a better-looking outcome, you can use letter stencils. Once the mailbox is completely dry, place the desired letter stencils at an equal distance from each other and fill in the letters using a gold metallic pen.

I used the American Accents Metallic Leafing Pen. Let it dry completely for one or two hours before recoating if needed. I used a gold pen to match the letters. You can use a different color if you want.

• Step 6:

Attach the colored house number on the pole and screw the mailbox. The end look is satisfactory aand super stylish.

And that’s it! Your brand-new mailbox is ready. However, if you are looking for something different and creative, then you can do it too.

For instance, you can draw on the mailbox using acrylic paints and brush after spray painting the whole mailbox one color. You can get very creative with mailbox paint ideas and make your colorful mailbox.

If you don’t have house numbers with your mailbox, you can make vinyl numbers using Cricut or Silhouette Cameo and stick them. You can easily make numbers and letters of any color and use them in your mailbox.

Tips for Using Spray Paint:

• Shake the cans well, at least for a minute before spraying. You should be able to hear the mixing balls rattle while shaking the cans.
• Shake the bottles after each stroke or at least often during using
• Overlap each stroke while coating the surface for an even finish
• Do not hold the spray paint too close or far from the surface. It’s best to spray the paint from a 10–16-inch distance.
• Apply at least 2 coats and more if needed for the best result and take at least 20 minutes to break between each coat
• If you think the paint isn’t coming out of the nozzle perfectly or the valve clogs, take off the tip and clean with mineral spirits. Attach it again, and it should work fine now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Conclusion:

So, have you decided how you will paint your mailbox and make it look good as new? Spray paints are convenient tools for interior work. You can paint any furniture and tool in the house within minutes, and they get ready to use within just a few hours.

Painting a mailbox is super fun and getting a self-designed stylish mailbox in just less than twenty dollars makes it worth all the effort. So, give your mailbox a new makeover now and choose the best spray paint for mailbox from this review to get the best result.