Have you tried using a zinc-rich primer at the welds? I’ve read it can help, since zinc sacrifices itself before the steel rusts. I’m curious if anyone’s had luck with that, or if it’s just another step for minimal payoff. The salt air is relentless...
I’ve actually tried the zinc primer thing on a couple of gates and railings. It’s not magic, but I did notice less rust popping up at the welds compared to spots where I just used regular primer. Still, it’s another expense and takes more time, so I only bother with it on stuff that’s really exposed.
“The salt air is relentless...”
Yeah, tell me about it. I’m right by the coast and even stainless hardware starts looking rough after a few years. Have you ever tried just using a thicker topcoat or maybe even powder coating instead? I’m always weighing if it’s worth spending more upfront or just planning to touch up every year or two. Curious if anyone’s found a sweet spot between cost and durability, especially for stuff like fences or outdoor stairs.
Powder coating’s been the best long-term fix I’ve seen, but it’s not cheap and you’re kind of stuck with the color. I tried a heavy-duty marine enamel once on some exterior stairs—looked great for about three years, then the rust crept in at the joints anyway. Honestly, nothing seems to last forever near the ocean. I just budget for touch-ups every couple years now, especially on high-traffic stuff. Stainless is overrated out here... even the “good” stuff pits eventually.
Yeah, I hear you on the stainless. I splurged on “marine grade” hardware for my deck railings, thinking I was set for life—nope. Two years in and I’m already seeing those little rust freckles. Powder coating looked promising, but the price tag made me choke a bit. I’ve just accepted that every couple years, I’m out there with a wire brush and a can of Rust-Oleum, grumbling the whole time. At this point, I think the ocean air is winning...
At this point, I think the ocean air is winning...
Man, I feel that. I thought going “marine grade” meant I was done worrying about rust, but nope—mother nature’s got other plans. Even the screws on my shed roof started showing those tiny orange spots after a couple seasons. Powder coating looked cool, but yeah, the price had me backing away real quick. I’m starting to think a little rust is just part of living by the coast. At least Rust-Oleum’s cheaper than moving inland...
