How to Prepare Your Pool Surface for Painting

Instructions on how to paint a non-painted pool surface

Surface preparation is the single most important thing in any application of any paint products. The paint you apply is only as good as the quality of the surface you are applying it to.

Please wear eye protection and a vapor mask and rubber gloves when applying or working with any paints, thinners , muriatic or sulfamic acids, TSP cleaners or power washing equipment.

For painting plaster, concrete, gunite, marcite, or other porous pool surfaces:

Painted surfaces will need to be abraded first before following these instructions. Follow the manufacturers label recommendations on any surface preparation. The pool surface may become very slick and dangerous, so wear the proper attire and shoes for working in water with acid.

Step 1. Scrub the entire pool down with a TSP (Tri-Sodium Phosphate) solution to remove all algae, oils, dirt, chalking, peeling or loose paint. It is recommended to power wash the pool during this process. Use a good hard scrubbing brush on the end of a handle to scrub the surface with. Rinse, thoroughly with water and remove water from pool. If you need to make any surface repairs to the surface with a patching compound, it is recommended to do this next after the surface is dried.

Step 2. All concrete/plaster surfaces should be acid etched with a 15-20% solution of muriatic or sulfamic acid to achieve a medium grade sandpaper finish on bare concrete or plaster and to remove mineral deposits on previously painted epoxy surfaces. Pour acids into water, rather than adding water into the acid. Use a hard scrub brush to apply acid and water solution. Rinse surface completely and remove water from pool.

Remember wear safety goggles, mask and gloves.

Step 3. Neutralize / rinse with TSP and water. Allow surface to dry completely before applying epoxy or rubber paints. 5 dry days is standard. To make sure surface is dry attach a clear packing tape 2in x 5in on the surface in different areas of the pool the day prior to painting. If the tape has moisture on the sticky side, the surface needs additional drying time.

For painting fiberglass pools or spas:

Step 1: Sand the surface in straight lines with 80 grit sand paper. Do not use an orbital sander.

Step 2: Scrub the entire pool down with a TSP (Tri-Sodium Phosphate) solution to remove all algae, oils, dirt, chalking, peeling or loose paint. It is recommended to power wash the pool during this process. Use a good hard scrubbing brush on the end of a handle to scrub the surface with. Rinse, thoroughly with water and remove water from pool.

Step 3 (optional):Optionally, you can wash the pool/spa down with acetone, which you can buy at a hardware store. You can roll the acetone onto the surface of the pool with a roller and allow to evaporate completely before applying the paint. The acetone will allow the paint to adhere better to the pool. PLEASE BE SURE TO WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, SUCH AS A MASK AND GLOVES WHILE USING THE ACETONE. Be sure to be in a well ventilated area, especially if you are indoors. You can put a fan in the pool to blow the fumes away.

Step 4: Apply two coats of the High Build Epoxy Pool Paint to the fiberglass pool or spa.

At anytime you need assistance call 1-877-580-POOL for a Pool Paint Warehouse project coordinator. We are here to help during the complete process . And please be careful. Sloping pools with water drops and water may be very slick and can cause you to slip. When walking down sloped pools it is best to have assistance.