While there are many ways to protect a swimming pool and make it look aesthetically pleasing, painting offers an affordable and easy way. Pushing a pool can make a good DIY project for more energetic pool owners. Yet before emptying your pool and taking a trip to a paint store, it’s good to understand some essentials about pool painting and the best pool paint to use.
Why Paint Pools?
A swimming pool is just a hole in the ground with a finish that prevents water from seeping through the concrete or other base material and draining into the ground. That’s why inground swimming pools need a finish, whether plaster, stone, tiling, ceramic, aggregate, or paint. While painting makes the pool look fresh and clean, specific techniques can also make it safer for swimmers.
Aesthetics
Like any other paint job, it’s essential to prepare the surface. This means heavy cleaning and possibly even sanding to make the surface smoother. Painting over stains or scaling will only make matters worse; eventually, these imperfections will show their ugly faces again through the newly painted coat.
Bubbles or Blisters
Pool paint bubbles or blisters when the surface isn’t prepared correctly. It must be applied to a mostly smooth, clean surface, and unless using acrylic paint, it must also be dry.
When to Paint
Timing also plays a part, as the hotter the temperature, the more likely it is to blister. The best time to paint is usually fall or winter, depending on the climate. Painting during dry, cool weather will ensure the best pool paint coating.
Painting for Pool Safety
Pool paints make things slippery, which can cause safety issues. A new paint job can protect swimmers’ welfare.
Resolving slipping issues:
- Mix some sand or soft rubbery particles into paint and use it on shallow parts of the pool, steps, and benches.
- Scatter some soft sand over steps or other areas after painting.
- For already dried and cured paint, use an anti-slip spray or solution that adds texture to improve traction.
If using sand, don’t use more than a quarter cup (60 ml) in or on the paint, as too much sand can make surfaces feel gritty and even damage skin.
Types of Pool Paints
Swimming pool paint has particular qualities that allow it to weather water, chlorine, and sunlight while also being tough enough to resist deformation from heavy use. Three primary types of paint are epoxy paint, enamel paint, and acrylic paint.
Enamel Pool Paint
Enamel designates a paint with a decorative, glossy topcoat that produces a durable, hardened finish. Though enamel paints originally were oil-based, water-based versions are now available. Original formulations for enamel paints included a modified polyester called alkyds, which have a consistency similar to oil paints, give the coating its hardened finish once cured, and make it extremely durable. Because of their durability and aesthetically pleasing look, enamel paints are often favored for pools.
Epoxy Pool Paint
Epoxy coatings contain specific chemical resins that form tough coatings that resist chemicals, solvents, and abrasions and adhere well to different types of surfaces. As a solvent-based paint, it can be used on pools with varying finishes, including concrete and fiberglass. However, it works best on bare surfaces or over surfaces painted previously with epoxy pool paint. The paint curing process also takes longer, up to a full week for outdoor pools and two weeks for indoor pools.
Epoxy pool paint comes in two separate containers that require mixing before use. Compared to acrylic pool paints, epoxy better withstand automatic pool cleaners like Kreepy Krauly’s, sunlight, and pool treatment chemicals.
A brief look at epoxy pool paint:
- Covers approximately 500 2 feet (approximately 46.52 meters) per gallon (approximately 3.8 liters)
- Fills hairline cracks
- Lasts 6-8 years
- More difficult to use
- More expensive
- Only recommended paint for fiberglass pools
- Provides smooth finish
- Smooths rough surfaces
- Takes longer to cure
- Thicker
- When finished can make surfaces slick when wet
Acrylic Pool Paint
Regarding epoxy vs. acrylic pool paints, the latter have largely replaced rubber paints, as they are affordable, apply easily, adhere well to multiple surfaces, and dry quickly.
A brief look at acrylic pool paint:
- Allows for either high-gloss (enamel) or eggshell finishes
- Can be applied on damp surfaces
- Easy application
- Works over other paints
- Does not cover stains well
- Dries and cures in as few as three days
- Lasts 1-4 years
- More affordable option
- Requires no mixing
- Will not fill rough surfaces
- Works for concrete or plaster pools
The Best Pool Paint by Surface
Certain paints work better for different types of pool surfaces or for painting over previously painted pool surfaces. Not all paints are suitable for every pool surface.
The best pool paints for different surfaces generally are:
- Acrylic enamel (2-3 years) or epoxy (5-8 years) are the best pool paints for concrete pools.
- Epoxies offer the best value for bare plaster or marcite pools, though an epoxy primer like Gunzite is advisable for rough surfaces.
- For fiberglass pools, epoxies are the best pool paints.
- Epoxy paints are the best choice for steel or aluminum pools, though they require a special primer prior to applying the finishing coat.
- For sandblasted pools made from concrete or plaster, various epoxy or acrylic paints work, though choice depends more on specific needs; that said, epoxy pool paints will last longer.
Generally, acrylic-based pool paints should last 2-3 years, while epoxy pool paints should last 5-8 years. However, this depends on numerous factors, such as climate, the type of surface, and regular pool maintenance.
Contact Halogen Supply for the Best Pool Paints
With one of the oldest inventory catalogs in the swimming pool industry, Halogen Supply can provide the best pool paints for your needs. If you have any questions about pool upkeep, maintenance, or which pool paint to use, please contact our knowledgeable and experienced staff today!