Common Questions
How much paint do you need?
The amount of paint you will need for your pool is closely related to the smoothness of the pool surface. You will also need to know the total square feet of your pool interior, or the area to be painted. If possible, we recommend using the same type of paint to recoat a previously painted pool. This assures the best possible adhesion between coats.
How to figure the square feet in your pool:
If your pool is roughly rectangular in shape: Length x Width x 1.5 = total square feet
If your pool is roughly "L-shaped": Length x Width x 1.65 = total square feet
If your pool is "free form" in shape (such as kidney-shaped): Length x Width x 1.6 = total square feet
If your pool is roughly oval in shape: Length x Width x 1.65 = total square feet
If your pool is Roma-shaped: Length x Width x 1.55 = total square feet
Surface Preparation
The most important aspect of pool painting is surface preparation. Paint will not adhere to even the slightest oily residue such as suntan lotion, body oils, hair spray, algae or anything that comes between the pool surface and the paint. The best method for preparing your pool is described in the following steps:
Pool Washing: The best pool washing solution is tri-sodium phosphate mixed with warm water. NEVER use a soap-type detergent. Soap products leave a soapy film on the surface which will result in poor paint adhesion.
Washing: Mix eight ounces of pool washing compound to each gallon of warm water. One gallon of this solution will wash approximately 200 square feet.Dip a long handled brush in this solution and firmly scrub the pool surface. Rinse off the residue with clear water after you scrub. Be careful not to allow the pool washing solution to dry on the surface.
Always scrub the walls first and the bottom last. The next step is acid-etching.
Acid-Etching: Required in bare masonry surfaces like concrete or plaster. It is also effective for removing chalky residue and hard mineral deposits on a previously painted pool.
Acid-washing opens millions of tiny pores which allow the subsequent coating to penetrate, thus creating a secure cohesive bond.Even on a previously painted pool, we heartily recommend an acid-wash.
Mixing the Acid:
NEVER mix acid in a galvanized container.....To prevent eye injury, NEVER pour water into acid. Always pour acid into water. Always wear protective eyewear.
Mix in a plastic bucket, ten percent solution of muriatic acid in water. Most muriatic acid is packaged at 20% or 30% strength. One gallon of 30% muriatic acid wixed with two gallons of water will yield three gallons of ten percent solution. Likewise one gallon of 20% muriatic solution mixed with one gallon of water will yield two gallons of ten percent solution. One gallon of the ten percent solution is sufficient for etching 100 square feet of pool surface.The Etching Procedure:
Liberally brush the acid solution on the surface. The acid will bubble on the surface when applied. As soon as this effervescence ceases, rinse the solution off with clear water. The surface should feel like fine sandpaper when properly etched. Splash a small amount of water on the surface to see if it is sufficiently etched. If the water soaks in fairly quickly, the surface is properly etched. If the water stands on the surface, another etching will be required or switch to a stronger acid solution.It is of the utmost importance that you wash the pool again after etching. The chemicals in the pool washing solution will neutralize all traces of acid left on the surface after etching. After this second washing, allow the pool to dry before painting.
Fiberglass Pools:
To prepare a fiberglass pool for painting, sand the surface in STRAIGHT lines with coarse sandpaper. DO NOT USE AN ORBITAL SANDER.
This sanding will create a mechanical bond for the paint. Once the fiberglass has been properly sanded, perform the pool washing procedure as describe on this page. No acid washing is needed for a fiberglass pool. Allow the surface to dry and you are ready to paint.
Performing Minor Pool Repairs
Minor repairs to the interior of a concrete swimming pool or the deck area may be easily performed by the pool owner. However, major repairs such as large broken pieces of concrete or long wide cracks should be repaired by an experienced pool service firm to achieve best results.
Hairline Cracks:
Concrete pools with hairline cracks present no serious problem for repair. Usually, one heavy coat of epoxy paint will fill and seal a hairline crack permanently.Small Cracks:
before painting, small cracks in concrete (up to 1/8") should first be cleaned out with a wire brush or by blowing out with compressed air. Then the crack should be filled with a nitrite rubber caulking compound which comes in tubes and is applied with a regular caulking gun.
When applying the caulking, build up a 'bead' about 1/4" above the pool surface. This will allow for normal shrinkage as the solvent evaporates. The caulking will remain permanently flexible so it will expand and contract with the concrete as temperatures vary. It is white in color and cures overnight.Holes, Pits & Larger Cracks:
Major repairs should be performed by a reputable pool service company but anyone with experience in concrete repair should be able to fix holes, pits, and large cracks with satisfactory results.
For permanent patching on concrete, and to obtain a strong lasting bond, we recommend a two-component epoxy patching compound that holds tight underwater and will cure stronger than the concrete itself. This material may be applied with a putty knife or trowelled over rough areas with excellent results.As with any work using chemicals, always wear appropriate
safety attire such as gloves and protective eye wear.