Found this video covering the topic of how to paint a new home-built steel boat. In Tulsa. Not sure where the builder is gonna sail it, but... in Tusla. Betting he's on the Christmas Card list of his local steel dealer! Oh, and if I do the math, he's in year 11 of his build, so kindred soul here.
The builder talks to pipeline inspector about corrosion, surface prep, mill scale, coatings, etc etc
Spoiler alert -- the application technique is more important than the coating. And that it's called "scale" not "rust". And "coating" not "paint".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIw_VxfzCis&t=2112s