We have an above ground pool with a composite deck around half of it. We bought a 'cheap' cantilever/offset umbrella that had a metal cross-base with plastic snap-together sections filled with sand that fit on top of the metal feet at Bed Bath & Beyond 3 years ago. Now, the umbrella itself has developed some small holes and the wine red color is now mostly light pink, so we are replacing the whole thing. The metal feet under the weighted sand base left rusted places on the composite decking. I researched how to remove the rust and am having pretty good luck getting it off. The new umbrella is supposed to arrive tomorrow. I'm not sure if the base is the same, with the metal feet sitting directly on the decking and the sand-filled base on top of that or not, but I imagine it probably is.
My question is how should I best protect the deck so that the metal feet don't rust onto it? I've read suggestions online of putting a grill mat or wicker mat under the feet, and those will probably work. Although the feet are already painted, what about spraying the bottom of the feet with some extra coat of paint? If that is advised, what type of paint - regular spray paint, lacquer, automotive undercoating, etc.? I wouldn't want the paint to wear off and get on the decking. We don't plan to move the umbrella around regularly, so it wouldn't be dragged too much, but may move it slightly for readjustments or when cleaning the deck periodically.
All ideas are appreciated.
My question is how should I best protect the deck so that the metal feet don't rust onto it? I've read suggestions online of putting a grill mat or wicker mat under the feet, and those will probably work. Although the feet are already painted, what about spraying the bottom of the feet with some extra coat of paint? If that is advised, what type of paint - regular spray paint, lacquer, automotive undercoating, etc.? I wouldn't want the paint to wear off and get on the decking. We don't plan to move the umbrella around regularly, so it wouldn't be dragged too much, but may move it slightly for readjustments or when cleaning the deck periodically.
All ideas are appreciated.
