How to Paint a Swimming Pool

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (35 Ratings)

Does your pool need a new coat of paint? Here are some things to think about and the steps to take to make sure the job is done right.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Determine what kind of paint is currently used in your pool. Most likely, it is either chlorinated rubber paint (which has a life span of two to three years) or epoxy paint (which has a life span of five to seven years). The best way to know for sure is to take a chip of the paint to your dealer and have it tested. It is best to continue covering the pool with the same kind of paint already in use.
Step2
Determine how many coats of paint are on your pool walls. (Either peel off and count the layers in an area that is flaking or scratch through with a pocketknife to count the layers.) Painting over a coat or two is fine, but you'll likely encounter problems with adhesion if the old paint is thicker than that.
Step3
Look into having the surface sandblasted to bare concrete if you're dealing with multiple layers of old paint. Make sure all paint and sand is removed from the pool before painting.
Step4
If you're painting over a layer or two of old paint, first apply trisodium phosphate to clean the walls. Scrub thoroughly.
Step5
Rinse and follow with a coat of muriatic acid; allow it to soak according to the manufacturer's direction. (Be absolutely certain to protect your eyes, lungs and skin from this acid solution!)
Step6
Rinse with more clean water and use another wash of trisodium phosphate to neutralize any acid still on the surface.
Step7
Rinse again with fresh water. Pump out all water (See "How to Empty a Swimming Pool" in the Related eHows) and allow the pool to dry completely.
Step8
Repair any cracks before painting. (See "How to Patch a Swimming Pool" in the Related eHows.)
Step9
Apply most chlorinated rubber paints directly to the surface; these paints are self-priming. Epoxy paints generally need a coat of primer, especially on bare concrete.
Step10
Roll the paint on to cover large open areas evenly and quickly. Use a brush for corners and tight spots around drains and inlet and outlet valves.
Step11
Carefully follow all manufacturer's drying and curing directions. Temperature is critical to epoxy paints to ensure proper curing and coating. Low temperatures can cause discoloring and poor adhesion.

Tips & Warnings

  • Swimming pool paints come in a broad range of prices. You get what you pay for both in quality and longevity of the finish.
  • You might need a respirator when using some paints in poorly ventilated areas.
  • You can get sandblasting equipment from most tool rental centers. Sandblasting is heavy, dirty work that may best be left to professionals unless you are confident of your skills.
  • Be sure to protect your eyes, lungs and skin, as many of these products are very toxic.

Comments

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on 6/15/2008 THE SECRET: Curing/Drying.
Just like what the post before me says, you can do everything right, but if you blow the cure then its all for not. The night after i put my final coat down, the clouds got really low and it misted that early summer night. i woke to white streaks everywhere. i had to repaint it again and it never set well. every time we swam we'd get blue feet. YOU MUST COVER THE POOL AT NIGHT AFTER YOU PAINT!

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on 6/8/2007 In France where we now live the paint used is called enduit pour piscine. It costs €105 per container. This is resin which you mix with a cement type powder. Put on with a roller. For our 11 by 5 metre pool we used four containers; this is covering most areas twice some three. Preparation is vital-an angle grinder is essential. Our pool took five days to prepare! It is a big job. You cannot do it in hot sun so we ended up getting up at 6am and working until 10 am.
Then of course it takes five days before it can be filled. Ours takes just over two days to fill. Check ph before adding any other chemicals; correct and then add chlorine or bromine. Good luck.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 7/5/2007 While painting your pool, it is a great time to add a design. I have found a great product called Sea Shadows Swimming Pool Stencils, made by Trimaginations. I used Seahorses and Mermaids on my pool. It was a Do It Yourself application, and after I painted my pool, I just applied the stencils, and painted them on. I love the look I got with my new pool surface and just wanted to share this will you.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 2/12/2007 Timing is critical. Get the paint on when the sun has dried the pool on a fine day. Try to get as much drying time in before the dew settles to mitigate leach-through or whitening.

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eHow Article:  How to Paint a Swimming Pool

eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Category: Home & Garden

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