Painting a Swimming Pool with Epoxy Paint

Painting a Swimming Pool with Epoxy Paint is one of the best ways to protect and beautify your swimming pool.
Always start your job by purchasing premium tools and swimming pool epoxy paint. Not only will high quality rollers, brushes, and products create a better result, they’ll make your job easier.
Choice of swimming pool paint is an important consideration. If your swimming pool surface is already painted, determine what type of paint is in use.
Consult RAMUC Technical Support if you are unsure and our lab technicians will assist with analysis.

There are 4 types of coatings are suitable for aquatic surfaces:

• Epoxy creates a tough, durable finish with unsurpassed stain, chemical and abrasion resistance. If the pool is currently painted with epoxy paint, you must continue to use epoxy. Epoxy can be an excellent alternative to re-plastering; two coats of a high build epoxy will achieve a hard, abrasion-resistant surface that costs less than resurfacing. With proper preparation, the epoxy finish can last up to 8 years.
• Chlorinated Rubber can be applied over existing chlorinated rubber surfaces, bare concrete, mar cite or plaster. Flat or gloss finish. Excellent hiding and protection features. Service life between 2-5 years.
• Synthetic Rubber can be applied over existing chlorinated or synthetic rubber systems, bare concrete, or plaster. When properly applied, the finish can last up to 3 years. VOC Compliant.
• Acrylic Water-Base can be applied over most types of coatings that are in sound condition, and can be used on damp surfaces. This is a cost-efficient approach and when done correctly, may last up to 2 seasons

Swimming pool surface preparation for painting is extremely important.

Whatever coating you use will adhere best to a solid, and clean surface. Inspect the surface condition of your empty pool. Repair minor cracks or chips, and sand down all peeling or flaking areas. Follow this by power washing the entire surface to remove loose paint and other debris. Let it dry, then sweep away loose impediments.

Clean the swimming pool surface

Your pool surface must be completely clean and free of loose paint, dirt, oils or solutions before you apply your new coating system. We recommend using Ramuc’s Clean & Prep Solution for this process, which replaces the traditional three-step pool cleaning process with one step.

1. Power wash the entire pool surface using a minimum 3200 psi power washer.
2. Once dry, sweep or use a blower to clear away any leftover paint chips or debris.
3. Use a garden sprayer to evenly apply Ramuc’s Clean & Prep Solution to the entire surface, following the mixing instructions outlined on the label.
4. Scrub the solution, which will begin to foam and etch. Continue scrubbing until the foaming stops, paying extra attention to areas where heavy soil accumulates, such as the waterline and steps.
5. Flush the surface three times with a strong stream of clean water from a garden hose. Do not flush using a power washer. A power washer lacks the volume of water to effectively flush the surface. It is important that you remove all residual Clean and Prep Solution.

Let the swimming pool surface dry

The type of coating you will be using dictates how dry the surface must be before you begin.
Acrylic paint can be applied to a damp surface, but epoxy must be applied to a completely dry surface. Check the instructions on your product label to determine dryness requirements. Moisture may still be present even if a surface looks and feels dry, so if your coating requires a dry surface, follow these steps to test for dryness:

1. Use duct tape to affix 2in. x 2in. sheets of clear plastic to three different areas of the pool: the shallow end floor, deep end floor, and shady side deep end wall.
2. Wait 4-5 hours.
3. Check beneath the plastic for any signs of moisture from condensation.
4. If moisture is present, remove all three areas of plastic, let the surface dry another 24 hours, and repeat this test.

Now you are ready to paint your swimming pool with epoxy paint.

Using a 3/8 in. inch nap roller, begin painting the walls, then the deep end floor, and work toward the shallow end, exiting at the stairs or ladder.
Be sure to apply the paint according to the recommendations on the product label Paint applied too thin, or too thick, may cause undesirable results.
You may be eager to re-fill your pool, but allowing for adequate drying time is your last step in proper application.
After waiting the recommended drying time specified on the product label, repeat the dryness test described previously. When no condensation is evident, fill the pool using a constant, steady stream of water. Routinely monitor the water chemistry to keep the finish looking vibrant and new.