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Australia’s No. 1 trusted pool paint for residential & commercial applications

How to Paint Your Pool

Painting a pebbelcrete swimming pool with LUXAPOOL Epoxy pool paint in Crestwood colour. Visit this link for LUXAPOOL Application Guides for all swimming pool surfaces https://luxapool.com.au/blog/painting-guides/application-guides/epoxy-pool-coating-application-guides/

1. Work out the type of paint (if any) currently on the pool

Firstly you need to work out which type of pool paint has been used on your pool previously (if any). You cannot paint a pool that was previously painted with Epoxy pool paint with Chlorinated Rubber pool paint (and vice versa).

To find out what type of coating your pool has been painted with:

  1. Clean a dry patch on your pool surface
  2. Place acetone onto a rag
  3. Rub onto painted surface for 30 seconds
  4. Once rag is taken away, touch the surface to see if it’s sticky to touch. If so, it is a Chlorinated Rubber coating
  5. If the surface is not affected, it is an Epoxy coating.

Rub the pool surface with a rag dampened with Acetone for 30 seconds. If the surface is sticky to touch it is Chlorinated Rubber, if the surface is not affected it is an Epoxy coating

Once you know the paint previously used on your surface, you can purchase the correct pool paint for your pool. To assist with this, LUXAPOOL has a Calculator on their website which works out how much pool paint you need for your particular pool surface. Visit luxapool.com.au/pool-paint- calculator.

BEFORE – a previously painted concrete pool has been abraded in preparation for being painted with LUXAPOOL Epoxy swimming pool paint

AFTER – the swimming pool was painted with LUXAPOOL Epoxy swimming pool paint in Pacific Blue colour

2. Prepare your surface

The most important part in painting your pool is the preparation of the pool surface prior to painting. A properly prepared surface will result in a better finish, and will last longer.

3. Drain and clear the pool

Drain any water from the swimming pool, remove debris and any hydrostatic plugs.

4. Fix any cracks

Any cracks must be ground out with a grinder and refilled with a hydraulic cement. Shallow defects (<10mm) can be filled with an epoxy filler (e.g. LUXAPOOL Structural Epoxy Filler).  If the hole is deeper than 10mm, fill with a sand/cement mix and allow to cure for 10 days. Sand back the surface with a belt sander or angle grinder, using abrasive paper or grinding discs (20>30 grit).

Shallow cracks and defects can be fixed with LUXAPOOL Structural Epoxy Filler

5. Clean with a soapy solution

Once cracks are fixed, the pool will need to be cleaned with a soapy solution to remove all the body oils and fats from suntan creams etc. You can use a product like LUXAPOOL’s Concentrated Wash which comes in a 5OOmL size and is mixed with water (20:1) before using. Once you’ve washed with this soapy solution, rinse again completely with fresh water to remove any residue.

Mix LUXAPOOL Concentrated Wash with water 20:1 to remove body oils and fats from the swimming pool surface

6. Acid etch the pool

Once the surface has been washed, you need to ACID ETCH the pool with a 50% water, 50% muriatic acid solution. Scrub the walls and floors using proper safety equipment and procedures (the ACID can be purchased from a Pool Shop, Paint Shop or Hardware Store).  Follow the ACID ETCH with a neutralising wash of Bicarbonate of Soda solution, then rinse with fresh water.

Acid etching the pool surface with the correct solution of water and muriatic acid is a key step in preparing your pool surface for repainting

See our video for full details https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jJ4XDz2dWY&t=35s

7. Abrade the surface

Following the ACID ETCH, abrade the surface completely with a 40 grit disc.

Abrade your swimming pool interior surface to a dull, rough finish

8. Pump out the water

Pump out all of the water and debris, remove any water from the skimmer basket, and sponge out any puddles left on the surface.

9. Apply masking tape

Tape off the tile band around the pool with masking tape, to prevent any paint getting on the treads, tiles or pool fittings.

10. Ensure it is completely dry

The pool surface needs to be completely dry before painting with a high quality pool paint like LUXAPOOL’s Epoxy or Chlorinated rubber pool paints. (In the winter months, some people hire an industrial dryer or blower to dry the surface).

11. Ensure no paint flakes, leaves or dirt

Ensure there are no flakes of paint, leaves or dirt on the surface; and that it is completely clean. Check the weather.  If there is a chance of rain in the next week – wait until there is a better forecast.  You will need at least 4 days of good weather to paint your pool, and another week for curing.

12. Apply your first coat

Now it’s time to paint your pool. If the paint is an Epoxy pool paint (like LUXAPOOL’s Epoxy 2-pack) mix the hardener well with the Epoxy paint in the larger can, for 6-10 minutes. Then apply as per the instructions on the can.  If you use LUXAPOOL, they provide Application Instructions and preparation sheets for their pool coatings, which are different for each pool surface.  So make sure you follow their instructions to a tee. Visit their website for these guides and preparation advice http://luxapool.com.au/support.

After mixing LUXAPOOL Epoxy Part A with Part B thoroughly, apply the first coat of pool paint to your swimming pool

13. Leave the coat to cure for a day

Try to paint the first coat of pool paint in one day. Then leave that coat for 24 hours to cure.

14. Apply second coat

After 24 hours, it will be time to paint your second coat of pool paint. If you are unable to do so within this time frame you will need to abrade the pool surface again to a dull surface before recoating.

With correct pool care, 2 coats of LUXAPOOL Epoxy is likely to last 8-10 years and 3 coats is likely to last up to 15 years

15. Allow to dry for as long as possible

The longer a pool is allowed to dry prior to filling the better the ultimate coating quality and longevity. Allow the coating to dry at least 7 DAYS IN SUMMER, and 14 DAYS IN WINTER, prior to refilling the pool with water. If a coating has not had adequate drying time and is filled prematurely, its colour may be damaged.

Once painted, allow your swimming pool to cure for 7-14 days before refilling with water

16. Avoid adding chemicals

DO NOT add chemicals for at least 3-5 days.

Finished pool filled with water

Some important notes and for further advice

This is a general guide for DIYers on how to paint your swimming pool.  For full details and advice on painting a number of different pool surfaces, see LUXAPOOL’s painting guides at luxapool.com.au/support, contact LUXAPOOL here or phone 1300 LUXAPOOL.

If you wish to buy LUXAPOOL pool paint online now visit our LUXAPOOL online shop

Pebblecrete pool painted with LUXAPOOL Epoxy pool paint in Crestwood colour on the pool interior, with LUXAPOOL Poolside & Paving in Shale Grey colour on the paved pool surrounds.