How to paint your Swimming Pool

Winter is (slowly) ending, meaning that now is the perfect time to look at Swimming Pool maintenance for the summer. I know it’s hard to think about preparing for summer when it’s still cold outside, but you need to. Doing the painting and the preparation is relatively easy, but it needs to be done properly.

Prep your Pool

As always, preparation is of the utmost importance. If the prep isn’t done correctly then you run the risk of the paint not adhering to the surface, which can create chipping, bubbles or chalking. Or you risk the end result not lasting as long because issues arise underneath the paint. So start as you mean to go on.

The amount of preparation will depend on the condition of the pool. For pools in extreme disrepair, it might be necessary to sandblast the interior and carry out any repairs to any cracks. For most pools that are in good condition it is a matter of  ensuring that mould, oil stains and other imperfections are removed. Be aware that the moisture content of concrete should be below 14% prior to application of any coating.

All pools should be thoroughly cleaned and degreased prior to painting. We would highly recommend using a pressure washer if you can.

If there are any cracks or holes in the pool, then there are a couple of products that you can use to fix the problem before painting. Cracks and holes in pools are usually relatively small, so use a fine crack repair to get the surface to a paintable condition. If the holes are any larger than this then please call our technical team for more in depth advice.

Selecting the right Paint

Most paints are not designed to be constantly submerged under water, meaning that when you’re painting a swimming pool you have to be careful what you choose. There are 2 types of paint to choose from: 2-pack epoxies, or chlorinated rubber based paints. Both will work, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind when selecting your system.

If the pool has been Previously Painted then it needs to be overcoated in the same product. Epoxies and chlorinated rubbers are not compatible with each other, so if your pool has been painted before then you need to find out what it has been painted with. The easiest way to do this is with a “solvent test”. It’s very easy to do. Take a strong solvent like acetone on a rag, and hold it (or secure it in someway) to the wall or floor of the pool for around 3 minutes. If when you take the rag away the paint is coming away from the wall with an almost stringy appearance to it, then you know it’s a chlorinated rubber. If the paint seems unaffected by the test then it is most likely to be an epoxy coating on there. Whichever it is, you need to use the same again.

If there pool has not been Previously painted then you can choose the paint system that works best for you. Chlorinated Rubber paints like Mathys Fassiclor are less expensive than Epoxy paints, and their lifespan in a pool is around 3-5 years. They’re not as durable as epoxy paints, and therefore the system does not last as long. If you choose to go for an Epoxy system then we recommend Rust-Oleum 5401, followed my Rust-Oleum 5500. This is the ideal system for painting a pool, and it will give you the best, longest lasting results. Typically the Epoxy system will last between 7-10 years, and it will resist chemicals, stains and abrasion.

Keep it lasting for longer

Once painted you need to leave the surface for 7 to 10 days before filling the pool with water again. If you don’t wait for the paint to fully cure then the paint will bubble and fail.

Despite the fact that these paints are submerged under water, the methods for keeping the in good condition are very much the same as for most surfaces. The paints are designed to remain submerged for long periods of time, and the 5500 even has hygiene approval which can help to keep the pool hygienic. Maintaining them is simply a matter of ensuring the surface doesn’t have prolonged exposure to damaging chemicals, and upholding general cleaning and maintenance of the surface.

 

If you have any questions, or if you want any further help in painting your pool then please call our technical team on 01902 429190.

Check Our Reviews

Marek Szupryczynski
Marek Szupryczynski
2023-10-02
On behalf of the team at FlowCopter Ltd. I'd like to thank You for Your services, ease of contact, the technical know-how and very competitive prices. On top of all that, order processing and delivery time was beyond any expectations ! TOP notch company. Highly Recommended.
Kelvin Appleby
Kelvin Appleby
2023-04-20
Excellent service from this company again. Enquiries are dealt with quickly and politely and order arrived well within estimated time with full tracking information provided. This is my second order and wouldn't hesitate to deal with them again.
Graham Williams
Graham Williams
2023-04-20
First class service. Thanks to the knowledge and experience of Andrews Coatings Ltd we now have solved a challenging problem through the use of an easily applied peelable coating. ????????????
Daniel Pointon
Daniel Pointon
2021-05-13
I've used Andrews Coatings quite a few times over the last few months and their service has always been first class. This is especially true when a manufacturer discontinued a paint - The customer service department went out of their way to obtain any available materials to allow me to complete my project. I can't recommend highly enough!
Fabio Bertini
Fabio Bertini
2021-04-25
Bought from them in the past! Great service (thanks Matt). They ship abroad and I'm considering to buy for the second time!
Harry B
Harry B
2021-03-10
Have recently used Andrews Coatings for the first time and I cannot recommend them enough! With the current COVID crisis i was appreciative there may be a delay with my order but their excellent customer service team were very responsive to my queries and i received my order in good time! The technical knowledge of the team was very useful when deciding what paint to use. It goes to show that years of experience does result in better service!
stu raven
stu raven
2020-11-12
I recently needed to order a special type of paint from Andrews Coatings to be delivered to Sweden. They responded quickly to my emails, were very helpful and despite all the Corona chaos the shipment arrived only a few days after I made the order. I rarely write reviews, but dealing with this company really was a pleasure.
Gigi La Mer
Gigi La Mer
2020-08-07
Very helpful and friendly service backed by super quick delivery which was really appreciated. I felt that my order was being handled personally. Highly recommended.
Sue Grant
Sue Grant
2020-08-04
Such a great company..keep you updated at every stage and super quick delivery..would definitely use again and recommend

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