How to Paint rusty piles

Pasarell

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Biggest issue for you is the external surface between high and low water marks (splash zone) where corrosion will be greatest. When new the piles were probably coated with a decent glass flake epoxy but in the splash that is unlikely to last more than 6 or 7 years, less if there is any abrasion.
You cannot effectively repaint so normal solution is to put a petrolatum gel incorporating an anticorrosive around this area and secure in place with a protective sleeve of polyurethane or HDPE. This should exclude air and water from the surface and the anticorrosive additive will slow existing corrosion almost to a stop.
The anticorrosive is normally supplied impregnated into a felt strip to wrap around the pile or as a layer of felt bonded to the inside of the jacket.
Piles should have been made with a corrosion allowance for their specified lifetime but those allowances are being affected by air and seawater warming causing corrosion to accelerate.
Corrosion inside the pile should be minimal
 
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