Painting can provide a quick and economical way to protect and beautify a swimming pool — whether it be in a commercial or residential setting, whether over concrete, plaster or fiberglass surfaces.
In the last installment, I discussed the considerations in choosing the most appropriate paint, as well as how to inspect, clean and prepare the surface for the coat. In applying the paint itself, professionals should follow certain guidelines to insure that the product goes on in the right thickness and adheres properly.
Applying the paint
For the paint to apply properly, certain conditions are required.
For instance, when applying the pool coating, it is important to adhere to the recommended coverage. Paint that is applied too thin will not provide adequate coverage or yield a long-lasting result, whereas too thick a coat may cause air bubbles, ‘alligatoring,’ or blistering.
Pool paints are designed to dry and cure within a defined temperature range. The chemicals that make up the paint require the proper temperature to bond together and adhere to the surface. If the paint is not able to cure, uneven coverage, peeling, bubbling, cracking and other problems can occur.
Pool professionals should avoid painting if the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, above 85 degrees F, or if the overnight temperature will drop below 50 degrees F. If the temperature is above 85 degrees F, the paint can blister. Temperatures under 50 degrees will cause the paint formula to become more viscous or thickened, making it difficult to apply evenly.
Additionally, a water-based paint will become susceptible to freezing, which can change the formula properties.
Do not paint in direct sunlight as it will affect adhesion, primarily because it causes the paint to dry too quickly. The solvents in the formula will not be able to evaporate properly, resulting in adhesion failure. High temperatures also can cause the paint to bubble and blister, which results in peeling once it cures.
The right touch
Correct technique also is required to achieve the best final result.
To apply pool paint correctly, it is important to use these best practices from the field:
1. Sweep or use a leaf blower to clear away any remaining leaves, paint chips, or debris immediately before beginning to paint.
2. Use masking tape to protect any areas that are not meant to be painted, such as tile or fittings. To avoid getting paint on larger areas, cover them with plastic and tape.
3. Use a paint brush to apply around small or hard-to-reach areas such as drain openings, corners and ladders.
4. Beginning with the walls, use a roller to distribute the paint around larger areas.
5. Once the walls are complete, move to the floor and start at the deepest section. Paint toward the shallow end, and always plan to finish at a ladder or stairs. This allows you to exit the pool without stepping on the wet paint.
7. Refer to the product recommendations to determine whether a second coat is necessary. If so, allow for the proper drying time as stated in the manufacturer instructions. Then follow the same application steps again.
Determining how to time the second coat can get tricky on swimming pools that are outdoors — especially if it rains between coats. The second coat typically should be applied within eight to 48 hours after the first. Once you get beyond that point, the second coat won’t properly bond to the first. To fix this, crews should roughen the surface of the first coat to get the second coat to stick.
Rain can slow down the process significantly. If rain interrupts the pool painting progress, a good rule of thumb is to add one day for the surface to dry for each day of rain.
Opening the pool
Some professionals may be eager to refill the pool once they have finished painting the surface so it can be opened quickly for use. However, allowing adequate drying time as specified on the product label is the last step to a successful application.
To be certain, it is a good idea to repeat the dryness test mentioned in the first article. After confirming the new coating is completely dry, the pool can be refilled using a constant, steady stream of water.
To get the most out of the newly painted surface, pool owners or their service technicians will need to make sure the water chemistry remains balanced. It should be routinely monitored to keep the paint looking new and vibrant. Should levels fall out of balance, the water may appear cloudy, or the paint may wear too quickly. Properly balanced water also helps avoid problems such as chalking.
Conclusion
Painting pools is one of the most economical ways to keep a swimming pool looking good and performing well.
As pool professionals and aquatics facility managers look for solutions to help get pools open for use after the COVID-19 quarantine, now is the time to get a sample chip of the paint currently on the pool surface and send it in for analysis. Once the manufacturer can tell you exactly what paint has been used, work with your local supplier to help choose the most appropriate paint to re-paint the pool successfully and quickly.
