I used Sterling paint but you could use some of the other 2 part paints and do just fine. As for the method I would not skip any steps in the process patch up the holes, primer coat, one coat of paint, sand another coat of paint, sand, one coat of paint with grit. I thing the grit part on the walking surface is very forgiving to work with. I mixed both the fine and course grit together and doubled the recommended amounts of grit and I just rolled that on. Ship Shape did a program on painting the deck. You could buy that and watch it if you wanted.
FellowShip
Just for the Grins
