But here is what is aggravating. Wasting thousands of dollars on a lovely concrete pool and seeing the paint look ready to peel off, fade or chalk off during the course of only a couple of seasons. It is something like purchasing a luxury vehicle and seeing the paint wear apart before you even have the first oil change.
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Why The Pool Paint Colour Really Counts More Than You May Think
Consider the pool paint as a shield of your concrete in a rather hostile environment. We are referring to chlorinated water, UV rays that would make any desert envious, temperature fluctuations and the never-ending exposure to moisture. Unprotected concrete is also prone to cracking, staining, as well as chemical damage, which may very well run into costly money to fix.
The most suitable paint to use in your pool much depends on whether you are just renewing the pool paint or not. You can expect the manufacturer of a pool to suggest that you use the same type of coating whether you are doing a touch-up or not: it is similar to mixing oil and water, and the outcome is just as bad.
However, this is where the news gets interesting: when painting bare concrete then this drastically reduces the number of options available. Concrete plasters have a rough nature, which means that they bring up different challenges that not every paint can cope with well.
The three: epoxy, acrylic, and chlorinated rubber
Epoxy Pool Paint -The Marathon Runner
Epoxy paint is being frankly the heavyweight champ of swimming pool paint. Having an average life expectancy of 7-8 years, the solvent paint has the maximum resistance of pool chemicals, stains, abrasions, and UV radiation. It is rather the Toyota Camry of the pools paints–reputable, durable, and it is worth its price.
The catch? Epoxy has to be respected. You require optimal climatic conditions: 50-85 o F., minimal humidity, and no precipitation at all (preferably over a week. Just consider it as hot-tempered but creative, when things go well the performance is amazing.
Epoxy becomes a solid film which is extremely adhesive on concrete surfaces. This is because the two component system ( resin + hardener ) reacts to form a chemical bond which can only be achieved to produce a tough, durable and can withstand high traffic and harsh chemicals used in pools.
The People Choice Acrylic Pool Paint
The neighborly relative of the pool coatings is acrylic paint. It is water-based and relatively forgiving and can even be put on slightly wet surfaces, which is a godsend to those who live in humid regions. It is quick drying, washes off with water and soap and it only takes you 3 days to fill your pool once the product is applied.
The trade-off? You will repaint more often, as it should be repainted every 3-5 years, depending on the level of its use and climate conditions. Nevertheless, according to most of the pool owners, this is a reasonable option due to the simplicity of application and lower initial cost.
Acrylic paint is especially effective in the situation when the pool paint requires frequent touch-ups or it is used by the do-it-yourselfers who like bite-sized sections. The Benjamin Moore brand known as INSL-X also produces a superior acrylic with an outstanding durability of color and protection.
The middle ground came in the form of Chlorinated Rubber Paint.
Chlorinated rubber is a sweet spot that is halfway between the performance of epoxy and the ease of use of acrylic. It is a solvent based coating and has very good chemical resistance and its life span is good 4-6 years when maintained well.
What could one of the major benefits be? It can be applied on un-painted concrete or on surfaces that have been painted in normal acrylic finishes. It is self prime, has great abrasion resistance and forms a smooth tile like finish.
The negative part is that the solvent basis makes it inflammable and causes the production of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) necessitating its strict handling and necessary methods of ventilation when being put to use.
What is best with concrete pools?
Now, to be concise, when you have the sheer concrete, then the epoxy comes to your rescue. The other two alternatives, which are acrylic and chlorinated rubber, are very thin materials, which have the capability to produce a pebble effect on the rough surfaces of concrete. Epoxy however is powerful enough to paint even concrete but not leaving a smooth as new, rather professional finish.
A concrete pool is another problem. Concrete is porous and therefore surface preparation is of uttermost importance. It is not merely a case of smearing paint on a wall but you are making a water tight seal that must last years in a water environment.
Surface Preparation: The Key to Success or to Failure
This is where all the good intentions of DIY projects go left. No prep work of the surface is sexy, yet it is of utmost importance to achieve long-term results. Imagine like you are building a house, you would not miss the construction of the foundation, right?
Clean first using a heavy-duty citrus- or TSP ( tri-sodium phosphate) based cleaner. Scrub the waterline using your hands, oils of suntan lotion have a tendency of stagnating.
In the case of new concrete, you will have to wait 30 days before painting. Next, there comes acid etching- this creates holes in the concrete pores to aid in better adhesion of the paint. This is usually by use of a 10% solution of muriatic acid upto the point when the surface no longer fizzes.
Triple rinse should never be ignored after acid etching. Even residual acid will definitely ruin your paint job.
Techniques of Applications That Really Work
The most important thing in painting pools is temperature and humidity control. Painting in direct sunlight is not recommended, since paint will dry too fast, and will not adhere properly. The best time can be early morning or late afternoon.
Two coats that are low always win over one thick coat. Air bubbles, alligatoring and early failure are caused by thick application. When applying roller apply it with a 3/8″ nap or less lambskin roller–long naps cause texturing and they may also cause chalking.
When working with epoxy systems mix what you can work with during the working time. These products never sit around and when they are mixed, you are in it.
Choices and Trends of Color
The colors of the pool are well psychologically complicated. Traditional blues are popular due to the fact that they provide that good old “tropical water” sound. With its purple tinge, LUXAPOOL Tahitian, a mid blue has been popular because it can produce sophisticated and dramatic effects.
However, this is a peculiar tendency: whites and light colors absorb less and increase the lower amount of heat to keep the area of pool surfaces cooler under feet. The darker colorings absorb heat but may also fade after being subject to prolonged UV irradiations.
Value Propositions and Cost Considerations
Paints used in pools are sold at very different prices depending on their kind and quality. The cost of acrylic paint is about $30-60 per gallon, and the high-quality epoxy system is sold at a rate of $80-120 per gallon. Primers, cleaning product, and application tool also should not be forgotten.
The real math, however, comes down to this- a good epoxy job that will last 7-8 years in comparison to the acrylic that needs re-touching every 3-4 years. Upfront investment can be repayed in terms of eliminating maintenance and long periods before major maintenance painting projects.
Environmental and safety things to consider Safety and Environmental Things to think about
The safety of pool paint does not end as soon as it is applied. Disposal of the left painting is a moral and legal obligation. In the paints, there is a solvent such as benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde which may be toxic to both plant and animal life when disposed wrongly.
Acrylics in water emit less VOC and are relative environment friendly. They are also safer to use, being both less demanding in ventilation, and less toxic fumes.
Tips on How to Maintain a Long Life Span
After having had your paint job done, the main way of ensuring you get the best out of your investment in life expectancy will be through good maintenance. Periodic cleaning using soft maids and light cleaners eliminates accumulation which would otherwise destroy pool paint surfaces. Abrasive equipment or violent chemicals, which might undermine the coating, ought to be shunned.
Water chemistry is very important, pH less than 7.2 or greater than 7.6 will corrode paint coatings. Frequent testing and tuning of the paints allow avoiding chemical degradation that causes premature paint failure.
When it is Time to Seek the Pros
Despite quite a number of swimming pool painting projects being do-it-yourself ventures, there are some circumstances that require professional help. Significant surface damages, complicated repairs, or even pools having structural problems should be examined by an expert.
Moreover, the commercial equipment and supplies that professional painters are able to use are superior in result especially when dealing with large pools or difficult situations.
The Bottom Line: Your Choice
The selection process of the choice of pool paint in a concrete pool will depend on the trade-offs of wear, affordability, and application needs. Epoxy has the longest life-span, though optimum conditions are required and the prices are steep upfront. DIY projects are better served by the use of acrylic as it does not require as high accuracy during application. Chlorinated rubber lies in between and provides moderate application requirements as well as excellent durability.
Think about your climate and your comfort level of doing-it-yourself in the long-term. The quality of the pool paint selected and the correct way to use it in your concrete pool would make your pool a beautiful addition to your backyard which would last many years to come.
This again is a reminder: there is nothing like the best pool paint, but it will be properly applied in right conditions and in well-prepared surface. Even the very best paint systems will be undermined by short cuts in preparation or application. Do it right first time, and in years to come you will be rewarded with years of trouble-free enjoyment out of your pool.
