With the arrival of heat and good temperatures it is time to tune your pool. If the paint in your pool is peeling, this year you will have to consider emptying it, repairing any damage it may have and repainting it. But, do not get overwhelmed, because with these tips on how to paint a pool that we offer, you will have your pool immaculate in a very short time.
The paint pools is an economical coating compared to other surfaces. With it you can get a perfect finish that can last several seasons.
Types of swimming pool paint
In the market you will find two types of paint for swimming pools: Chlorinated Rubber and Water painting.
Both kinds of paint are antagonistic, which means that if the pool is already painted previously, you will have to use the same type of paint to repaint it.
If you do not know what type of paint the pool is painted with, it is better that you use the paint for swimming pools, because the chlorinated rubber has a solvent and could damage the surface.
How to paint a pool step by step
The procedure to follow when painting a pool will depend on whether it is the first time it is painted or not. In the first case, you will find that previously you will have to prepare the surface of the pool for later painting. And, in the event that your pool is already painted, depending on the state in which the paint is, you will have to proceed to prepare its surface in one way or another.
Next, we tell you how to paint a swimming pool depending on the situation you are leaving from.
1. Pools Not previously painted
If the pool is new or has not been painted before, you will have to work a little more. Prior to the application of the paint for swimming pools, you must prepare its surface.
New Pools
When you are facing a recently built pool, you should know that it must take at least 2 months until you can proceed to paint it. Once that time has elapsed, its surface must be treated with a mixture of 1 part hydrochloric acid and 3-4 parts water.
Then, wash the walls and floor of the pool thoroughly with plenty of pressurized water (you can help yourself with a pressure washer to get a more efficient and faster result). Let the pool dry thoroughly, at least 48 hours. And then apply a diluted layer with 10% diluent for Pools.
When it has dried completely, you can paint your pool by applying one or two coats of paint to cover it perfectly.
Old Unpainted Pools
Maybe your pool has been built and filled with water for a while, but you’ve never painted it and this season you want to do it. In that case, the first thing you will have to do once it is empty is to disinfect it well. You will have to remove any remaining mold, grease or dirt that it could have.
To do this, use a solution based on mixing 1 kilogram of trisodium phosphate per 10 liters of water. Apply the mixture by scrubbing the entire surface of the pool with a sparta brush.
When finished, rinse with pressurized water to remove any residue. After that, proceed as if the pool were new. Let it dry, apply the diluent and, when it dries, apply a couple of layers of paint for swimming pools.
2. Paint an already painted pool that is in good condition
In the event that your pool is already painted and is in good condition, but you want to give it a coat of paint to make it look better, you will have to do the following.
First, once it is without water, you will have to proceed to its disinfection. To remove the remains of dirt you will have to use the trisodium phosphate mixture that we talked about in the previous section.
Then, as with the old unpainted pools, you will have to remove this solution with pressurized water. Then let dry and apply the paint. In this case, if the previous paint is not very damaged, it may be enough with a single layer of paint.
3. Paint an already painted pool that is in poor condition
Maybe your already painted pool is in bad shape. In that case, the first thing you will have to do is remove the damaged paint. If the spoiled surface is large, you will have to remove the paint using the sandblasting technique.
In the event that the sandblasting fails to remove all the old paint, you can seal and equalize the surface of your pool by applying a layer of special primer for swimming pools. Let it dry 24 hours and then apply two layers of pool paint, making sure it is well covered.
In any of the circumstances described above, when you are going to proceed to apply the pool paint it using a roller. Start at the walls of the deepest side of the pool and go forward to the shallow end. Use a telescopic handle to reach all parts of the highest walls of the pool with the roller. The best time to paint is mid-morning, once the dew has risen.
Tricks to paint your pool
An extremely humid climate can cause the paint to not adhere. Likewise, it is not advisable to apply the paint in full sun, on very hot days or on surfaces whose temperature exceeds 30ºC.
If you are going to apply a second coat of paint, according to the manufacturer you should wait 2 to 4 hours before repainting, until it is dry to the touch.
After painting the pool, you should wait 4 to 5 days before filling it. If it rains during those waiting days, remove standing water. Dry the pool with a sponge or a leaf blower.
Once the paint has cured, fill the pool completely without stopping the process. When the pool is full, restart the water filtration system, adjust the total alkalinity, pH and hardness levels, and resume normal maintenance.
As you can see, painting a pool is a simple task if you follow these steps. You should also take into account the manufacturer’s instructions for the pool paint you choose.
What are you waiting for? Buy now the paint for your pool and … Leave it as new this summer!
