I've been noticing my outdoor projects always seem to have rusty nails after a season or two, especially when the weather swings from wet to dry and back again. A buddy of mine suggested sealing nails to keep them from rusting out so fast, and I've been trying it out lately. Here's how I've been doing it:
First off, I make sure to use galvanized or stainless steel nails whenever I can. But sometimes you just gotta use what you have on hand, right? So if I'm stuck with regular nails, I hit them with a quick coat of clear sealant or even clear nail polish (yep, borrowed from my wife's stash—don't tell her). Just brush it on lightly before hammering them in, let it dry for a bit, and then drive them home.
After they're in place, I usually dab a little extra sealant or polish around the nail heads again. Seems to help keep moisture from seeping in around the nail hole. I've also tried using some silicone caulk around the nail heads for bigger outdoor projects like fences or decks—it looks kinda messy at first but dries clear and seems pretty effective.
So far, it's working alright. Definitely seeing fewer rusty streaks and less corrosion overall. Still, feels like there might be an easier or better way to do this. Maybe something less tedious than painting each nail individually (cause honestly, that's getting old pretty fast).
Curious if anyone else has tricks or shortcuts that work better or faster. Or am I just overthinking this whole thing...
