Prep eats up more time than you’d think, but it’s worth it if you don’t want to be patching stuff every year.
Totally agree—prep is where the magic (and the headaches) happen. I learned that the hard way after rushing a deck once... ended up redoing half of it the next spring. Mixing sheet and liquid membranes is smart, especially for those weird angles and edges. The salty air just finds every weak spot, doesn’t it? Feels like overkill sometimes, but you’ll thank yourself later.
Can confirm, the salty air is relentless. I used to think I could get away with just a quick seal on the window trims—nope, peeling and bubbling within a year. Now I spend twice as long on prep and it actually lasts. Kind of a pain, but worth it for peace of mind.
That salty air really is a beast, huh? I’m curious—when you doubled your prep time, did you switch products or just spend more time sanding and priming? I’ve been debating if it’s worth splurging on marine-grade paints, or if it’s all about the prep.
I’ve been debating if it’s worth splurging on marine-grade paints, or if it’s all about the prep.
Honestly, it’s a bit of both. I tried cutting corners with regular exterior paint once—big mistake. Even with solid prep, the finish started bubbling after just one season. Now I always go for marine-grade, especially on trim and decks. It costs more upfront, but you save on maintenance and repainting down the line. That salty air just eats through standard products way too fast. Prep still matters, though—don’t skimp on sanding and priming, but the right paint really does make a difference.
Can’t argue with that—marine-grade paint really does hold up better, especially right by the water. I used to think prep was everything, too, but after a couple of seasons with peeling and flaking, I learned my lesson. It’s annoying to spend the extra money, but in the long run, you’re saving yourself time and hassle. You’re definitely making a smart call investing in better materials for a beach place. The weather out there just doesn’t play fair.
