I’ve seen those anti-corrosion sprays used on a few waterfront homes I’ve inspected—mixed results, honestly. One place had it caked onto their railings and hinges, but the salty air still found a way in after a year or so. I’m not convinced it’s worth the mess or the money long-term. Like you said, swapping out galvanized bits is easier than fighting rust that’s already set in. That constant battle with the elements just comes with the territory, I guess... but yeah, that view is something else.
That’s been my experience with sprays too—after a while, the salt just wins. I tried a “marine-grade” coating on some vent caps and hardware last year, but it started peeling by spring. Honestly, swapping in stainless or aluminum parts has been less hassle for me. It’s not cheap upfront, but there’s way less mess and maintenance down the line. The ocean air just doesn’t play fair with most coatings, no matter what the can says...
I hear you on the coatings—tried a few myself, and they just don’t hold up long-term. Stainless is pricey, but I’ve started swapping out the worst offenders bit by bit. For stuff I can’t replace yet, I use a cheap silicone grease as a barrier. Not perfect, but it slows things down. The salt air is relentless...
I get the appeal of silicone grease, but honestly, I’ve had mixed results with it. It tends to collect dust and grime, which can actually trap more moisture over time. I’ve had better luck just staying on top of regular rinsing—nothing fancy, just a quick hose-down every week or so. Doesn’t solve everything, but it seems to help slow the rust on railings and hinges. Stainless is great, but yeah… that price tag hurts.
I’ve had better luck just staying on top of regular rinsing—nothing fancy, just a quick hose-down every week or so.
That’s honestly one of the most effective low-tech approaches, especially with salt air. I’ve seen folks overdo it with greases and coatings, only to end up with sticky messes that attract more debris. Stainless is ideal, but yeah, the cost can be brutal. Regular rinsing and a bit of vigilance go a long way—sometimes simple really is better near the coast.
