- Gotta say, I've had the opposite experience with "budget" paints sometimes. Even with solid prep, a few of those cheaper coatings just couldn't handle our wild temp swings. Maybe it's the brand, or maybe it's just the way our weather hits different.
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“I’ve tried a couple different brands (Rustoleum, Zinsser, even some of the more industrial ones), but sometimes I still get a bit of peeling after a couple seasons, especially on south-facing trim...”
I hear you on the south-facing trim. That sun is brutal. What’s helped me a bit is switching to an epoxy-based primer for those spots. It’s pricier, but I’ve noticed less peeling and bubbling, even after a couple nasty winters.
- Two coats of primer? Only if the metal’s really rough or pitted. Otherwise, I stick with one and just make sure it’s a good even layer. Double-priming hasn’t made a huge difference for me unless the surface was in bad shape.
- Self-etching primer—mixed bag. Works great on bare, shiny metal, but if there’s any old paint or rust left, it can actually make things worse. I usually only break it out for new installs or spots I can sand down to bare metal.
- Bubbling and flaking still happen, especially with the freeze-thaw. Sometimes it’s just the nature of the beast in these climates. I’ve started using a flexible sealant under the edges to help keep water out, and that’s cut down on rust creeping in from underneath.
Not a perfect system, but it’s helped.
