Leo Martínez
Pool coping, or the top rail of a pool, can be made from various materials, including PVC, aluminium, steel, concrete, and stone. The type of paint used to coat pool coping depends on the material it is made from. For instance, PVC coping is not usually painted, but aluminium pool coping is coated and can be painted with a paint designed specifically for this purpose. Steel coping can be treated with a rust-preventing paint, while concrete and vinyl pools with precast plaster coping can be painted with pool deck coating. Marine paint is also a popular choice for painting metal pool coping.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pool coping material | PVC, aluminum, steel, concrete, stone, vinyl |
| Paint type | Epoxy, acrylic, chlorinated rubber, marine paint, enamel, Rust-Oleum |
| Paint tools | Spray cans, paint roller, flap wheel, ceramic disc, non-metallic scouring pad, tape, newspaper, plastic sheets, card stock |
| Paint process | Clean surface, sand, prime, paint, seal |
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What You'll Learn
Painting vinyl pool coping
Pool coping is what caps the edge of a pool. Modern pools are built with pool coping made of concrete or stone, but older pools may have a band of metal (usually aluminium) coping that runs around the edge of the pool. For pools with a vinyl liner, the coping is usually replaced when the vinyl liner is replaced.
In most cases, above-ground pool coping is not painted, but it can be. For inground vinyl pools, pool coping can be made of PVC plastic or aluminium. PVC coping is not usually painted, but aluminium pool coping is coated, and over time in the hot sun, the paint can chip and peel.
To paint vinyl pool coping, you can use spray cans or a small 4" paint roller. If using spray primer or spray paint, use painter's tape to protect the concrete deck and the liner beneath the coping from overspray. Some paint might still blow into the pool water, so you can float newspaper on the surface to catch the overspray. This can be removed later by scrubbing the waterline with a textured sponge or Scotch-Brite pad.
Before painting, it's important to prepare the pool coping. First, scrub the pool coping to clean the surface and remove any debris or loose paint. If there are areas of the coping with loose paint or a compromised finish, you can sand the coping. Wash off the pool coping again to remove any sanding residue and wait for the surface to completely dry before proceeding.
When choosing a paint, it's important to consider the type of material you are painting on. For steel coping, you will need to use a rust-inhibiting primer and paint meant for use with rusting steel. For aluminium pool coping, you can use any enamel paint suitable for metals. Marine paint is also an option, as it is formulated to get wet.
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Using marine paint
Pool coping is what caps the edge of a pool. Modern pools are built with pool coping made out of concrete or stone, but some older pools have a band of metal (often aluminium) coping that runs around the edge of the pool. For inground vinyl pools, pool coping can take many forms, but is usually made with either PVC plastic or aluminium.
Aluminium pool coping is coated, but over time in the hot sun, the paint can chip and peel. The easiest way to improve the aesthetics and protect the structural integrity of the metal coping is to paint it. Marine paint is a good option as it is formulated to get wet. If it is durable enough to work on a boat, it should work on pool coping.
To paint metal pool coping with marine paint, first scrub the pool coping to clean the surface and remove any debris or loose paint. You can use a scrub brush and a hose to do this. If there are still areas of the coping with loose paint or a compromised finish, you can sand the coping. Wash off the pool coping again to remove any sanding residue and wait for the surface to completely dry before proceeding.
Prime and paint using marine paint. Rust-Oleum makes a marine-grade primer and paint for "above the waterline" that is typically used on boats. Allow for a long cure time between coats. You can use a brush or roller to apply the paint, but be careful not to get paint in the pool or on the vinyl liner. Cover the gap between the coping and the liner with a plastic wrap-covered sheet of card stock to avoid getting paint in the pool.
To clean up this type of marine paint, you will need mineral spirits.
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Removing rust
Pool coping for vinyl liner pools often takes the form of PVC bullnose coping, also known as the "Top Rail". It can also be made from vinyl resin, stamped steel that has been electrostatically painted, or powder-coated. Above-ground pool coping is typically not painted, but inground vinyl pools may have aluminium pool coping that is coated, and this can chip and peel over time.
If you are removing rust from pool coping, it is likely that you are dealing with steel coping. The first step is to use a product such as Naval Jelly to dissolve most of the rust. Next, the surface should be ground down with an orbital grinder, wire wheel, or abrasive flap wheel. This process should be done when the pool is empty and the liner is being replaced. If this is not possible, take extreme care to prevent steel shavings and rust particles from falling into the pool by taping plastic sheets to the liner.
After grinding, the paint process can begin with a rust-inhibiting primer. Once this is dry, scuff the surface slightly before adding a paint meant for use with rusting steel. Krylon Rust Protector or Rust-Oleum paints are good options and can be sprayed or rolled on, with a second coat recommended.
If you are removing rust stains from the pool itself, rather than from the coping, there are several methods you can try. Firstly, it is important to find the source of the rust to prevent the stain from reappearing. Rust stains can come from metal objects such as hairpins, metal buttons, or children's toys falling into the pool, or from nearby cutting or grinding of metal. They can also be caused by metals in pool water, such as iron in the source water or pipes, or by "rust plating" caused by the improper use of copper-based algaecides.
To remove rust stains from the pool, one method is to use a granular acid such as sodium bisulfate (dry acid). Fill an old tube sock with the acid and use it to scrub the stain, being sure to wear protective gear. You can also use a product such as Stain Master to deliver liquid acid to small areas of the pool surface. Alternatively, rub the stain with a large vitamin C tablet, which will melt away the rust with its ascorbic acid. For larger areas of rust, crush multiple tablets into a powder and sprinkle this over the stain before brushing.
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Painting techniques
Painting the coping or top rail of a pool can bring life back to your pool. Pool coping can be made of concrete, stone, or metal (aluminum). In most cases, above-ground pool coping is not painted, but it can be painted.
- Protect the pool liner by covering it with plastic wrap-covered card stock or newspaper.
- Use painter's tape to protect the concrete deck and the liner beneath the coping from overspray.
- If using a roller, consider using a small 4" paint roller.
- Use a mild cleanser or degreaser product to clean the surface before painting.
- If there is loose paint, scrape and sand the surface smooth.
- If the coping is made of steel, use a rust-inhibiting primer.
If you are painting concrete or stone coping, you can use pool deck coating or pool deck paint to apply a uniform colour to the coping. You can also seal the coping using a clear pool deck sealer to keep it looking great and prevent salt corrosion.
If you are painting metal pool coping, you can use marine paint, which is formulated to get wet. First, scrub the pool coping to clean the surface and remove any debris or loose paint. If there are areas with loose paint or a compromised finish, you can sand the coping. Then, prime and paint the coping. You can use a spray or brush-on product. If the coping is made of aluminium, use an aluminium primer or etching primer. If the coping is made of steel, use a rust-inhibiting primer and a paint meant for use with rusting steel, such as Krylon® Rust Protector or Rust-Oleum®.
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Paint types
Pool coping, or the top rail of a pool, can be made from a variety of materials, including PVC, aluminium, steel, concrete, stone, and brick. The paint type used on pool coping depends on the material it is made from.
PVC coping is not usually painted, but aluminium pool coping is coated, and the paint can chip and peel over time. Aluminium coping can be painted using a paint designed specifically for this purpose. When painting aluminium coping, you can use spray cans, or a small 4" paint roller.
For concrete pools with pre-cast plaster coping stones, and for brick pool coping, a pool deck coating can be used to apply a uniform colour to the coping. A clear pool deck sealer can also be used to seal concrete coping stones, protecting them from dirt, water, and salt corrosion.
Steel coping can be troublesome due to rust, which occurs due to the iron content of steel reacting with oxygen and moisture. To address this, the rust can be removed and an inhibitor can be used to slow or stop the corrosion process. A good rust-preventing paint can then be used to seal the steel from oxygen, prolonging its life. Krylon Rust Protector or Rust-Oleum paints are good options for rusty steel surfaces and can be sprayed or rolled on, with a second coat recommended.
Marine paint is another option for pool coping, especially for vinyl pools, as it is formulated to get wet. Rust-Oleum makes a marine-grade primer and paint for "above the waterline" that can be used on boats, so it should be suitable for pool coping.
Other paint types that can be used for pool coping include epoxy, acrylic, and chlorinated rubber. Epoxy is known for its durability and chemical resistance, while acrylic is perfect for quick fixes and ease of use. Chlorinated rubber offers a balance of cost-effectiveness and simple application but lacks durability.
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Frequently asked questions
Pool coping refers to the top rail or edge of a pool.
Epoxy, acrylic, and chlorinated rubber are the three main types of pool paint. Epoxy is known for its durability and chemical resistance, while acrylic is UV-resistant, quick-drying, and perfect for quick fixes. Chlorinated rubber offers a balance of cost-effectiveness and ease of application but is less durable. Marine paint is also an option, as it is formulated to get wet and is durable enough for use on boats.
Rust-Oleum makes a marine-grade primer and paint for "above the waterline" that can be used on vinyl-lined inground pools. Krylon Rust Protector is also suitable for rusty steel surfaces and can be sprayed or rolled on.
First, clean the coping with a tile and vinyl cleaner to remove any debris or loose paint. Sand and scuff the surface to increase the bonding between the old and new paint. Then, apply a rust-inhibiting primer and allow it to dry. Finally, apply the paint using a spray can, roller, or brush.
