Does My Fort Knox Mailbox Need Maintenance?

Let’s not beat around the bush — regular maintenance is essential to keeping your Fort Knox Mailbox in proper working order.

Chances are, if you installed a Fort Knox Mailbox, you’re worried about mail theft. It’s a justified concern. A report from the Government Accountability Office highlighted that investigations into serious crimes associated with mail theft nearly doubled between 2019 and 2023. Not only are mail carriers being robbed, but some criminals have gone so far as to cut mailboxes off posts. 

Installing a Fort Knox Mailbox is an excellent way to protect your mail from theft — especially as mail theft picks up during election season and the holidays. However, you still need to be able to access that mail. The following outlines the steps we recommend taking yearly to keep your Fort Knox Mailbox operating correctly.

Fort Knox Mailbox Maintenance Guide

Most folks will start thinking about maintenance for their Fort Knox Mailbox when the mechanism starts feeling all notchy or is not operating smoothly. While there’s no time like the present, we recommend performing yearly maintenance on your mailbox. Let’s get started.

1. Remove Contaminants from the Door’s Interior

Start by opening the door of your mailbox. Overtime any number of contaminants can get inside, including:

• Pollen

• Soot and Ash

• Road Grime

• Dirt and Dust

• Water

These contaminants can be next to impossible to avoid, as the air often carries them in. Sometimes they can be accentuated by a mailbox hit by a sprinkler or other external source.

You’ll want to wipe down the interior door, opening and closing the mechanism to make sure all bolts and bolt work are cleaned of debris. Sometimes you may be able to use compressed air. Just keep in mind that compressed often doesn’t take the place of actually wiping off the dirt.

2. Grease the Locking Bolts

With the door open, you’ll want to apply grease to either side of the locking bolts where they pass through the bolt work mounts. You can use a Q-tip or fingertip to apply the grease. Our go-to grease is Super Lube Synthetic Grease.

3. Check that the Key Cylinder is Tight

While the door is open, make sure the Key Cylinder is tight. This is the bolt that holds the mailbox lock in place. You want it to be tight enough to hold, without being so tight you start stripping the screw.

4. Check that the Plastic Bumper Is In Place

There should be a small plastic bumper inside the door. The bumper prevents the door's in and out movement when the door is closed, helping maintain the door’s seal. If the bumper has fallen off, it can be replaced with this simple bumper on Amazon.

5. Check that the Interior Nuts Are Tight

Generally, this won’t be a concern, as it’s extremely rare for these interior nuts to begin to loosen. But for peace of mind, you may want to just check them while you have the door open.

6. Close the Door & Make Sure the Locking Mechanism is Working Smoothly

Once you’ve determined the bolts slide smoothly with the door open from Step 2, make sure the bolts slide with the door closed. Close the door and slide the bolts back and forth. The door should operate easily.

7. Check the Magnets of Your Upper Compartment

Depending on the design of your Fort Knox Mailbox, the upper Mail Drop compartment will be covered by a drop-down door. If you have this door, you’ll want to check that the magnets are still attached to the upper section of this compartment.

The magnets are what hold the door closed. If the magnets are not attached, reattach them with a small amount of epoxy.

8. Lubricate the Drop Down Hinges with Tri-Flow

Over time, the upper compartment hinges can often start to get noisy and operate less smoothly. Pull the door open and wipe free any contaminants you may see. Then, spray the hinges, opening and closing the door to work the spray into the hinges.

Our favorite grease for this application is Tri-Flow. However, if you have WD-40 on hand, this will also work.

9. Lubricate the Keyhole

Blow compressed air in the keyhole. Blow lubricant into the keyhole. (Our preferred lubricant is Tri-Flow.) Blow compressed air in the keyhole.

Why Perform Regular Maintenance on Your Fort Knox Mailbox?

A high-security locking mailbox is an essential tool for safeguarding your mail and personal information. Like any piece of hardware, regular maintenance is essential to preserving the longevity and functionality of your investment. These are the top four reasons to show your Fort Knox Mailbox some TLC:

1. Preserve Your Investment

The primary function of a locking mailbox is to protect your mail from unauthorized access. Over time, normal wear and tear and external contaminants can cause the mailbox and its locking mechanism to stop functioning properly. Regular maintenance helps preserve the longevity of your investment.

2. Prevent Costly Repairs or Replacements

When it comes to high-security mailboxes, a Fort Knox Mailbox isn’t cheap. (The price is with good reason. We’ve seen these mailboxes survive a hit-and-run when all other mailboxes were busted to smithereens.) Regular maintenance helps substantially reduce the chance you would need to pay for a costly repair or replacement.

3. Ensure Smooth Mail Delivery

A poorly maintained mailbox can lead to inconveniences with mail delivery. If your mailbox is difficult to open or close, it may frustrate you and your mail carrier. In worst-case scenarios, a damaged or malfunctioning mailbox could prevent your mail from being delivered and you from retrieving it.

4. Maintain Curb Appeal

Your mailbox is one of the first things visitors or passersby notice about your home. A high security mailbox can set the tone for your home and neighborhood that you’re not an easy target. When it comes to theft, the easier the target is, the more attractive it is.

Additionally, a well-maintained mailbox can enhance your curb appeal, while a rusty or damaged one can detract from the overall look of your property. Regular maintenance keeps your mailbox looking clean, neat, and functional — adding to the overall aesthetics of your home. 

A little attention goes a long way in keeping your locking mailbox in top shape for years to come!

Need an Extra Fort Knox Mailbox Key?

While performing your yearly maintenance, you might realize having another key (or a few) for your mailbox would be nice. These high-security mailboxes have unique locking mechanisms that only use Fort Knox Mailbox keys.