Isabella Flores
Painting a pool is a reasonable project for an experienced DIYer. It is time-consuming but not overly complicated. The first step in painting a pool is to drain it. This can be done with a pump or hose, but it is important to drain the pool into a sewer to avoid flooding, soil erosion, and potential damage to the pool's foundation. Once the pool is drained, it must be cleaned and prepared for painting. This includes removing any debris and repairing any cracks or defects. The type of paint used is also important, as pool-specific paint is necessary for the paint to adhere properly and withstand the elements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Draining | It is recommended to drain the pool before painting. Use a pump or hose to drain the water into a sewer to avoid flooding, soil erosion, and potential damage to the foundation. |
| Surface Preparation | Ensure the pool surface is properly prepared before painting for a better finish and longer-lasting results. Clean the surface, fill any cracks, and use an acid wash solution for etching. |
| Paint Type | Use pool-specific paint. Options include rubberized, epoxy, or acrylic paint. Consider the previous paint type and choose the appropriate paint for underwater use. |
| Application | Apply paint thinly and evenly, following manufacturer guidelines. Avoid extreme temperatures and humidity for proper adhesion. |
| Drying and Curing | Allow sufficient drying time before curing. The curing process can take up to 5 days for epoxy paint, and longer drying times enhance coating quality. |
| Refilling | Refill the pool with water after curing. Adjust the filter and chemical settings accordingly. |
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What You'll Learn
The best type of paint to use
Painting a pool is a time-consuming but not overly complicated project for an experienced DIYer. The best type of paint to use will depend on the type of surface you are painting, and whether the pool has been painted before.
If your pool has never been painted, and is made of bare, unpainted plaster, concrete, gunite, or fibreglass, epoxy paint is the best option. Epoxy paint has a resin base and is long-lasting, with a lifespan of up to eight years. You will need to seal epoxy paint with a clear concrete sealer to protect it from pool chemicals. You can also use an epoxy filler to fill in any shallow defects in the pool surface.
If your pool has been previously painted with epoxy paint, you cannot paint over it with chlorinated rubber paint. However, you can paint over epoxy or rubber-based paint with acrylic paint. Acrylic paint is water-based and is not as long-lasting as epoxy, with a lifespan of only about two years.
Another option is to use rubberised pool paint, which takes care of the sealing process on its own and is more flexible than epoxy paint, expanding and contracting to prevent cracks.
To determine the previous coating on your pool, you can use a test. Chip off a small piece of paint and submerge it in isopropyl alcohol. If it dissolves, it is acrylic. If it does not dissolve, submerge a new chip of paint in a rubber-based solvent like Xylol or acetone. If the surface is sticky, it is a chlorinated rubber coating. If it is not affected, it is an epoxy coating.
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Preparing the pool surface
Firstly, drain any water from the swimming pool. Be sure to drain the water downhill or away from the pool, as an elevated water table can lead to major problems while the pool is empty. You can use a submersible pump or a hose to drain the water into a sewer. This will prevent flooding, soil erosion, and potential damage to your home's or pool's foundation.
Once the majority of the water is out, use a wet-dry vacuum to suck up the last drops. As the pool drains, scrub the sides to get any remaining dirt or debris off while the surface is still damp. You can use a deck brush or a pool brush for this. Remove any water from the skimmer basket, and sponge out any puddles left on the surface.
Next, you need to fix any cracks or defects in the pool surface. Shallow cracks and defects (less than 10mm) can be filled with an epoxy filler. If the hole is deeper than 10mm, fill it with a sand/cement mix and allow it to cure for 10 days. After filling, sand back the surface with a belt sander or angle grinder, using abrasive paper or grinding discs (20-30 grit).
Once the cracks are fixed, the pool will need to be cleaned with a soapy solution to remove all body oils and fats from suntan creams, etc. You can use a product like Leslie's Smart Seal Prep Wise Clean & Etch, which cleans and etches your pool's surface in one simple step. This product is an acid etching solution, so be sure to wear gloves, closed-toed shoes, and safety goggles while handling. Dilute one gallon of Clean & Etch with one gallon of water in a bucket, then wash the walls and floor of your pool with a pool brush. When you're finished, simply rinse off the solution and drain any excess water from the pool.
The next step is to acid etch the pool with a 50% water, 50% muriatic acid solution. Scrub the walls and floors using proper safety equipment and procedures. Follow the acid etch with a neutralising wash of bicarbonate of soda solution, then rinse with fresh water. Acid etching the pool surface is a key step in preparing your pool surface for repainting.
Finally, allow the pool surface to dry completely before applying new paint. The length of time this will take depends on the temperature and humidity, but it is important to avoid painting in extreme heat or cold or in extreme humidity, as this may result in poor adhesion. If you are using epoxy paint, you will need to apply a primer to the walls to ensure the paint adheres properly.
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Draining the pool
Once the majority of the water is out, use a wet-dry vacuum to suck up the last drops. As the pool drains, scrub the sides to get any remaining dirt or debris off while the surface is still damp. Once the surface has been washed, acid-etch the pool with a 50% water, 50% muriatic acid solution. Scrub the walls and floors using proper safety equipment and procedures. Follow the acid etch with a neutralizing wash of bicarbonate of soda solution, then rinse with fresh water.
Pump out all of the water and debris, remove any water from the skimmer basket, and sponge out any puddles left on the surface. Once the pool surface dries, cover light fixtures, railings, and tiles with painter's tape. You can also replace all of the white goods, such as the return fittings, the drain cover, and the skimmer box.
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Painting the pool
Painting a pool is a time-consuming but rewarding project for an experienced DIYer. The first step is to select the proper paint, and it is important to note that you should use pool-specific paint for the job. The commercially available colour options are somewhat limited, but you can also opt for a pattern rather than a solid wash of colour.
Before painting, you must drain the pool. Use a pump or hose to drain the water into a sewer, rather than directly into your yard, to avoid flooding, soil erosion, and potential damage to your home's or pool's foundation. Once the majority of the water is out, use a wet-dry vacuum to suck up the last drops. As the pool drains, scrub the sides to remove any remaining dirt or debris while the surface is still damp.
Once the pool is drained, it's time to clean off the surface. Painting over a dirty surface will result in poor paint adhesion, and the need to repaint your pool again even sooner. The best way to clean the pool walls and surface is with an acid etching solution, which can be purchased from a pool shop, paint shop, or hardware store. Wear gloves, closed-toed shoes, and safety goggles while handling. After cleaning, rinse off the solution and drain any excess water from the pool.
Once the surface has been washed, acid-etch the pool with a 50% water, 50% muriatic acid solution. Follow the acid etch with a neutralising wash of bicarbonate of soda solution, then rinse with fresh water.
Now, it's time to paint your pool. Ensure that the paint is thinly applied to a properly prepared surface to prevent blistering. Mix the pool paint well before using, and follow the manufacturer's application guidelines. You can use a brush to cut in on the tight areas around pool fixtures such as lights, drains, and valves. Allow the paint to dry per the manufacturer's instructions, typically between three and five days.
Finally, refill the newly painted pool with water and adjust the filter and chemical settings to ensure proper maintenance.
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Refilling the pool
Once the pool is painted, it is important to let the paint cure. The curing time depends on the type of paint used, the season, and the manufacturer's instructions. For instance, rubberized pool paint cures on its own, while acrylic or epoxy paint types require a clear concrete sealer. Epoxy paint should cure for at least 7 days in summer and 14 days in winter before refilling. Acrylic or epoxy paint formulas generally need 2 to 5 days to cure, but it could take up to 5 days to set completely. Therefore, it is recommended to wait at least 5 days before refilling the pool with water.
After the paint has cured, it is time to refill the pool. Refilling the pool with water can cost around $55 per 5,000 gallons. It is important to adjust the filter and chemical settings to ensure proper maintenance. However, do not add chemicals for at least 3 to 5 days after refilling.
While the pool is drained, it is a good opportunity to perform maintenance and address any issues. This includes replacing fittings, the drain cover, the skimmer box, and the ladder. It is also a good time to check the equipment pad and inspect the pumps, filter, heater, pool cleaner, salt system, chlorinator, PVC fittings, and valves.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you must drain the pool before painting it. This is the biggest and most time-consuming part of preparing your pool for a fresh coat of paint.
You can drain a pool using a pump or a hose. Ensure that you drain the pool into a sewer to avoid flooding, soil erosion, and potential damage to the foundation of your home or pool.
After draining the pool, clean off the surface of the pool. Painting over a dirty surface will result in poor paint adhesion. You can use an acid etching solution to clean the pool walls and surface.
