I have been flying The flag in fromt of my residence for about 50 years. I have dropped it to paint the flagpole. It is made from black iron pipe and desperately needs a new finish.
I primed it with Benj. moores Alkylyd (sp?) primer and now want to apply the best finish possible.
Anyone out there a painter with words of wisdom?:think:

Not a painter but I know pipe, and you should use an epoxy paint or a rustoleum

ben moore makes a high gloss for metal/wood..comes in a silver-black label can..been on my pole for about 15 years now..all it did was crack , no peeling yet....use it on the house too...it'll out last their reg. house paint 3 times over.

I have been flying The flag in fromt of my residence for about 50 years. I have dropped it to paint the flagpole. It is made from black iron pipe and desperately needs a new finish.
I primed it with Benj. moores Alkylyd (sp?) primer and now want to apply the best finish possible.
Anyone out there a painter with words of wisdom?:think:
Ask Canalman, he works at Ben Moore.

I am a painter and all I use is Benjamin Moore, since you have an alkyd primer on now it is best to use an alkyd finish paint from B.M. too.

It is alway best "not" to try to cross match different paints without knowing their compatability, an epoxy paint may last for a few years as should any paint but stick with what you started with and play it safe. I've seen alot of mishaps with paints that were supposed to be compatable with different brands, at least you started with a top notch paint.

Just my .02 worth

S E M rust shield. come buy i'll give you a can. you can check out the huge anchor in my front yard, i painted over 10 years ago with it...

I've been painting for more years than I care to count.

A good two part epoxy primer and topcoat like Pittsburg Pit-Gard is the way to go on fully stripped and clean metal.Otherwise Rustoleum Clean Metal Primer or Rusty Metal Primer depending on condition of the pole and then of course a Rustoleum topcoat.

Since you started with a basic oil-based primer you can use almost any topcoat but like teaser said stick with the same types and Capesams suggestion of the BM Wood/Metal is a good one.Having painted many flag poles I will guarantee that a Rustoleum topcoat is compatible with the primer you used and it's the best choice in your situation with CS's being a good second.