Man, I totally get what you mean about feeling like you’re just picking which thing to replace next. I used to think “marine grade” was the magic answer too, but after seeing those little rust spots show up on stainless, I started questioning everything. One thing I’ve tried is using a primer before any protective spray—like, clean the metal, hit it with a zinc-rich primer, then top it off with CorrosionX or something similar. It’s not foolproof, but it seems to slow things down a bit.
Plastic’s a whole other headache. UV just destroys it here too. Sometimes I’ll use that UV-resistant paint or even wrap stuff in tape if it’s small enough—looks weird but sometimes it works. Honestly, it feels like a constant battle, but every little trick helps stretch out the life of things. You’re definitely not alone in this... coastal living is rough on materials, no matter what the label says.
Honestly, it feels like a constant battle, but every little trick helps stretch out the life of things.
That’s exactly it—coastal maintenance is just relentless. I’ve found even “marine grade” hardware will start to pit after a few seasons. The zinc primer step you mentioned really does buy some time, though. For plastics, I’ve had mixed results with UV-resistant coatings; some brands hold up better than others, but nothing’s perfect. It’s a lot of trial and error, but your approach makes sense. Hang in there—staying proactive definitely pays off in the long run.
I’ve found even “marine grade” hardware will start to pit after a few seasons.
That’s been my experience too. I used stainless fasteners on a job less than a mile from the coast, and within three years, some started showing rust streaks. Tried switching to hot-dip galvanized, but honestly, nothing seems to last forever out here. The zinc primer step does help, but I still recommend regular inspections—sometimes you catch small issues before they become major repairs.
Funny, I’ve actually had a bit of the opposite luck with stainless—maybe it’s just the brand or batch? My place is about half a mile from the water, and the stainless screws on my shed roof still look decent after five years. I do rinse things down every few months, though. Not saying it’s foolproof, but maybe a regular hose-off helps slow down the salt buildup. Galvanized stuff rusted way faster for me, especially where rainwater pooled. Guess there’s no perfect answer, but I wouldn’t write off stainless completely.
Interesting—maybe I just got a bum batch of stainless, or maybe my spot’s extra salty? I’m about 200 yards from the beach, and even with rinsing, I’ve seen some weird pitting on a few screws after just a couple years. Anyone ever try those coated fasteners, like the ceramic ones? Wondering if they hold up better or if that’s just marketing hype...
