I recently picked up an old steel shorestation lift. Only about 20% paint coverage below the waterline after pressure washing and wire brushing (and chipping away the metal flakes.)<br /><br />When all is said and done, other than pitting which I can live with, doesn't look to bad.<br /><br />I went to Home Depot to buy paint, picked up Rustoleum Professional Enamel, and it said "not for immersion in water." So I asked two workers there, who told me not to use it, and that they didn't sell anything I should use...<br /><br />So before I go down to West Marine and spend an arm and a leg, I wanted to double check here first...<br /><br />Can I use a water base primer like 1-2-3, or should I use an expensive and difficult to clean up oil based primer? (Or not prime at all?) <br /><br />Any tips or reccomendations on paint or painting?<br /><br />I have a similar construction pier as well, which the topside has gotten various coats of enamel over the years, but the bottom needs a lot of help... So I'll probably be doing the same job on there, and want it to last, since it doesn't come out of the water.<br /><br />BTW: I'm on a freshwater river in Wisconsin - no salt involved...<br /><br />Thanks!
