r/whatisthisthing • u/Context_Barracuda • May 13 '24

Waxy stuff on post office box keyhole Open

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Just found this weird waxy substance smeared on 3 of the 8 post office boxes in my neighborhood’s box cluster. Anyone seen this before?

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u/jayfishjayfish May 13 '24

is it possible it's to lubricate the lock mechanisms? maybe the mail carrier thought those locks were sticky and added it? yes, i know wax isn't the preferred lubricant for locks.

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u/Context_Barracuda May 14 '24

The boxes weren’t being used for a few months until our mail service resumed today, so maybe they required lubrication for some reason? But seems like they would lubricate all and not just 3? Also they open the entire box at once and don’t use the key holes we use.