Paint for implements - Rustoleum or store brand equivalent

[California]

I see store brand equivalents to Rustoleum red primer and finish coats next to the real thing at Ace Hardware, TSC etc. Obviously, less expensive.

Anybody know if the store brands are the same thing, relabeled?

And related- I'm using up some old leftover paints. Is alkyd oil-base paint suitable as a prime or finish coat for implements left outdoors?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[CADplans]

I consider non-Rustoleum paint to be completely different,,, for a reason I like.
The paint I get at TSC dries much faster.

 

[4570Man]

I've only used the tractor supply brand for painting steel targets. It covered good and dried fast. I prefer spray primer for painting targets because it covers the best.

 

[Midniteoyl]

The Rustoleum Red Primer, IMO, covers better than the Ace brand, but the paint is just as good, so thats the combo I use.

 

[/pine]

I pretty much stick to the Rustoleum brand...it has served me well...I've found Wally World is a little cheaper than Ace or the box stores...also they often have taller 25% more cans of the "rusty metal primer" for about the same as regular sized cans...

FWIW...the instructions state that primed metal should be painted over either within one hour of drying or wait 48 hours...I prefer the latter but can't always wait that long...!

 

[SPYDERLK]

I built a log splitter 30 yrs ago. Took me a while to spin up to doing it, but one of the things I did during several months of preparation was apply a coat of Rustoleum gloss black to the I beam rail every couple weeks - about 6 coats I think. ... After putting the splitter in service I expected the paint life would be fairly short. - Instead it remained comptetely unbreached for 2 seasons ~ 10 cords, and still hung on tenaciously; not peeling. ... I think lightly sanding and applying a coat or 2 every off season would keep it protected permanently.