Article: It should be screwed on. Be sure to save the screws some place safe so that you can reattach the mailbox later. If you cannot remove the mailbox, you will need to cover the post or the surrounding wall with some masking paper and painters tape. This includes the numbers, flag, hook, and latch. If you can't remove them, then you can at least mask them off. Spray the mailbox down with an all-purpose cleaner an scrub it well with a scrubbing sponge. This will remove all dirt, oils and dust. If you are planning on repainting the post, you will need to clean that too. If you cleaned the post, be sure to rinse it too. Let these parts dry overnight. If you are working on a wooden post, you might use a flat, sanding sponge. You can also use an electrical sander on the post to get the job done faster. This will give you a smooth, clean surface to work on. If you see any rust on the flag, latch, or hook, be sure to clean it off too. If you don't do this, this dust will get caught in the paint, and give you an uneven, grainy finish. If you weren't able to remove the hook or latch, cover them with painters tape. If you weren't able to remove the flag, wrap it with a plastic bag; secure the plastic bag with some painters tape.
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Remove the mailbox from the wall or post, if you can. Remove all parts from the mailbox, if possible. Clean everything using an all-purpose cleaner. Rinse the mailbox with water and let it dry. Use a wire brush, steel wool, or sandpaper to remove any rust or mold. Wipe away any dust residue using a tack cloth. Cover any parts you don't want painted with painters tape.