Contents
Introduction
Painting will give a peaceful feel to your mind but, do you know how to paint your pool, what paint you should use, how to pick one, where to start doing it? Too many questions, better let it be in the hands of professionals. Yet, you can do it yourself; after all it is doable right? In this article we have justified the best pool paints for your inground pool. Read further to know them.
Different types of paints
Is pool paint varying from one another? Of course, it should be water resistant, stand up to years with Ultraviolet ray as well as chemicals like Chlorine, and other things you use to keep your pool clean and clear.
It should not be just given away with scratches and scrapes from pool toys, naughty kids, and pets. Pool paint should be hard and tough. So it requires layers of coating no matter how much time it would take you to finish it. Then the expense, it requires a lot of paint, so the high cost will cost you more. Choose something cheap and best.
Think twice before starting to paint if it really is a time to paint your pool.
When to paint your pool?
Stained or faded pool paint
All paint has its end; the expectation will be far lesser for the outdoor paints, especially the pool paint which is fairly exposed to chemicals and sunlight. If the water contains high metal or mineral there are chances of strain on the wall of your pool. Before going for painting, give a chance for acid wash. The acidity of the acid will help you to remove the dirt, strain, and scale. Additionally will improve the look of your pool according to how strained and dirty it is. If the acid wash does not give the look of your expectation then you can go for painting.
Slippery paint
Sometimes you may get hurt because of the slippery paint. It is due to the water resistant capacity of the paint. To get rid of this you can mix a cup of sand to the paint which you paint on the steps. Or you can sprinkle a cup of soft sand over the steps after you paint it. This will prevent the slippery feel of the paint on steps.
Appearance of bubbles or blisters
If you find these issues in your pool, you don’t need to paint your entire pool. If there is blister over the paint, it is because that surface is not prepared properly before painting. As like other paint, pool paint too applies over a clean, dry, and on a smooth surface. If that area has dirt, wet, or has some rough spot, you can find bubbles over there. It can also be the reason for the thick coat or that surface is too hot. Reasons are many but all you have to do is small repairs and repaint those certain areas.
Chalky Paint
Chalky paint surface is not an issue with your paint. The real culprit is the chemical substance which is administered in your pool water. If the chemical level of the water is not regulated properly, it will lead to the increased level of pH such as alkaline nature. This breaks the paint and so causes the white chalky appearance. If it happens there is no other option than repainting. Never forget to keep the water chemistry at a balanced level.
Different Types Of Pool Paints
There are three major types of paints available on the market. They are
Water-Based Acrylic Paint
This water base paint can resist the action of weak chemicals and tough stain. It can last up to 2 years solidly. This eggshell finishing is very much suitable on concrete and plasters. It consists of acrylic, epoxy, and rubber. It can dry as fast as you can imagine. You don’t have to wait for weeks or months to get soak.
Epoxy Paint
This tough worker has an absolute resistance towards abrasions, stains, and chemicals. It can last up to 8 years when comparing to other pool paint. This solvent base has the satin finishing. Hence it will easily adhere to concrete, especially non-painted one, plaster, gunite, and fibreglass. Each coat measures 8mil, this results in extreme smoothness on the paint surface.
Premium Acrylic Paint
This water base paint can resist the low chemicals and strong stains. It can last up to 3 years. It is suitable for unpainted concrete, plaster, with high glossy finishing. This paint consists of acrylic, epoxy, and rubber. It is an innovation against the chlorinated and synthetic rubber paints. Gratefully, it comes under the Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
Risk Found Rubber Paint
Chlorinated synthetic rubber paints are truly resistant to chemicals. That is why people started to use it at first hand but later they found out that it is dangerous. To go in detail, it can be the reason for certain neurological problems, plus it can cause sterile conditions, affect endocrine, can be a reason behind cancer. USA has banned this production but still other countries are going with it. We recommend that pick any one paint from the above we mentioned are the wise choice for you and your family.
Post-Paint action
If you are about to paint for a new or unpainted pool means its fine you can choose any paint of your interest. But if your pool is already painted and you want a replacement then you should know what paint is used before.
Find the existing paint
If you don’t know what is the paint which is exist in your pool, there are simple tests which can easily tell what paint it is.
Pour some pure alcohol in a cloth and rub it on the paint, if it softens. Then it is water based acrylic paint.
Pour some xylene or Xylol in a cloth and rub it over the paint surface.
If none happened, it is epoxy.
If it softens, pour small amount of xylene on your finger and make a circle over the paint surface.
If the soften paint becomes stringy, it may be chlorinated rubber paint.
If only softens, but not stringy then it may be a synthetic rubber.
After many tests still you are confused to fix it. Take some amount of sample paint and send it to paint manufacturer. They will help you to identify which type of paint it is.
Conclusion
Once you have identified the type of paint then you can easily go for repainting. Painting your pool is a tough job but not an impossible one. Make sure you chose the right one for your pool. You can’t make magic in a second. This artistic work require a lot of your time. But once you completed the work it will give you the pleasure of hard work.