Is there a Mailosaurus Hiding in Your Neighborhood or Your Yard? There could be!
They can camouflage to appear as an ordinary mailbox, so watch Your Hands and Arms!
Note: Check if You live in an area that prohibits painting Your Mailbox – HOA’s (homeowners associations) with restrictive CC&R’s local ordinances etc… Yes, they can place a dampener on creativity.
If You can release the Mailosaurus in Your Mailbox, here’s how I did mine. The tools are much the same for the other Dinosaur preservation. Blue Nitrile Gloves, small to medium size wire brushes, sand paper and dusting cloth or brush. If you are starting with a new box all the better. Find out the type of paint that was used to determine which rust-oleum products will work best for painting over. If it’s a very old box, you may have to put in some extra effort with the wire brushes & sand paper. First remove any clip-on accessories (if possible). Mine had a plastic latch for the lid and the flag for mail pickup.
After cleaning the clip-on parts, I set aside while painting. After wire brushing & light sanding, I wrapped the post to protect from overspray. Black Gloss was used on the outside. This is the second time for painting the box. I never painted the inside before. After using the Rusty Brown Primer and letting set for a couple of days, Berry Pink Gloss was the choice for inside. This will be the inside of the mouth for my Mailosaurus – Malcolm. It makes it brighter and much easier to see if you forgot any mail. Hammered Verde Green is the primary color for Malcom’s head. No need to mask just spray to get a general shape for the mouth opening you want for the sides and front of the box with the lid closed.
After the Berry Pink Gloss has cured, l used blue tape to mask for tongue. Metallic Apple Red provides a nice look for the tongue. The plastic Clips are painted Hammered Deep Green the inside pieces Metallic Apple Red. A Gloss Clear Coat seals the inside of Malcolm’s mouth.
The Hammered Deep Green provides accents around the mouth. Gloss White creates the Teeth and Gloss Marigold for the Eyes. I practiced sketching the Eyes and Nostrils prior to painting them. With each sketch I became better aware of the look I wanted. Remember you can paint over anything you don’t like. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Frequently the mistakes give me additional ideas. More Hammered Deep Green to finish the details around the Eyes and Nostrils, that I sketched. Gloss Black made the Pupils in the Eyes.
Now Malcolm is ready to really enjoy the mail. He loves Netflix or perhaps it’s the taste of the DVD’s. Hey wait my arm! Malcolm is such a tease. I can’t wait to see the look on the mail-carriers face when she makes her next delivery.
Is there a Mailosaurus in Your Neighborhood? There Could Be!
Chill this Summer with “Antarctic Dinosaurs”
at
The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles
a Special Exhibit ending January 5th!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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