enamel paint

[ketchupkid]

what are the properties of it, like is it waterproof?
thanks for any help

[heathfield]

Once fully dry, it will provide a waterproof barrier. But it must be applied to a surface that is, and will remain, dry. Any damp, dust, oil or grease on the surface to be painted will prevent proper adhesion, and lead to blistering or cracking later.
Some paints are advertised as "allowing the wood to breathe". This is a con - they've taken a disadvantage of the paint and pretend it's a useful feature. With wood, you want to seal it completely. Any moisture allows movement in the wood through swelling and contracting, so it really needs to be completely sealed. Enamel paint will do this.

[RATTER15]

When painting it on bare metal, ensure you remove any rust and use a good primer.

[Clanad]

To add to the already good advice, keep in mind that enamel paint can be oil base or acrylic latex base. The latex paint is easier to clean up since it can be done with soap and water, whereas the oil base paint will take paint solvent of some kind to clean brushes and spills. Generally, acrylic latex paints are stronger than oil/alkyd paints, therefore, latex and can be applied over exitsting oil base paints, but oil base paints can not be applied over latex. In any case, a good primer coat greatly improves the quality of the finish...