Pool Painting

[bizzy]

Hi
i was wondering If it was possible to only paint the pool steps without draining the entire pool. It seems like only the top step has faided. Thanks

[PoolDoc]

Boy, that's a loaded question!

In theory, it might be possible. If you can safely get the step you wanted painted dry, you can paint it. But that's a big "IF". Many liner pools can't be drained that far. Ditto, for fiberglass. Given that you're in California, odds are you've got a concrete pool . . . and again, since you're in California, odds are the ground is dry enough so that draining doesn't risk floating the pool.

But, when you paint, surface prep is *critical*, and doing the surface prep without messing up the pool water could be tricky.

Good luck!

[bizzy]

Hi

my pool in fact is concrete. Its basically the top step that has faded and the rest of the pool looks ok. I did think about prepping the step and getting stuff into the pool. So I guess this is one of those things that If I cant do the whole thing right better not do it at all.

Another thing also is that the top step has a chip that has come off. I guess I will wait till next summer and just do the whole job.

[PoolDoc]

I guess I will wait till next summer and just do the whole job.

Sounds like the wiser course of action to me. Don't wait till weather is really hot, though. Read up the application guides for whichever paint you are considering -- it can be almost impossible to apply epoxy in very hot weather.

[bizzy]

I did notice something this weekend. I noticed that the plaster looks like it was originally colored and not painted (that is why the color of the pool is a dark blue).

Would it be a good idea to paint my pool due to no paint actually being in the pool? Is there any other option?

[PoolDoc]

Refinishing options include painting, or placing a new plaster or other cement based surface. It's unlikely you'll exactly match your top step with the rest of the pool.

[Marin]

You can paint just the top step or steps. There are ways to properly prep the steps without getting too much residue in the water, none of it is simple though.

Colored plaster will fade. If you currently have plaster and not paint, I would strongly urge you not to paint. We do both finishes and I always do my best to talk a client out of paint. If you do paint, don't go cheap. Find a quality 2 part epoxy paint and prep according to direction.

[bizzy]

Hi Marin
i was wondering why you recomend not to paint if there is colored plaster. you are right, it looks like in some areas there is fading and mostly in the steps. Is there any other treatment for color plaster recondition?

[PoolDoc]

Plaster can last 10+ years without service. The best paint -- applied exactly per mfg directions -- won't usually last more than 5 years, till you have to recoat.

[bizzy]

In my situation it seems like maybe this pool was done a while ago. it has started to fade and there is a bit of scaling on the top step. I can also notice the faded spots here and there. Is there any recondition that i can do with out painting it?

[PoolDoc]

Plaster pools are commonly acid washed to address issues like yours. Acid washing works by dissolving the top layer of plaster, and exposing a 'new' top layer underneath.

BUT . . . acid washing does not evenly dissolve that top layer, and the resulting plaster is rougher and more susceptible to stains, than the original surface. Careful, skilled application can reduce the problem, but many contractors either aren't skilled, or can't be bothered since their customers don't know the difference.

AND . . . the effects of acid-washing a pool with COLORED plaster can be unpredictable. Personally, I don't have enough experience with colored plaster to know how to tell whether a colored plaster pool can be acid washed or not.

[Marin]

Colored plaster is imperfect at best. The nice marbled swirls you can see in a new application will amplify as the pool ages, making for an odd, blotchy look. I've seen walls bleach white while the floor is still dark. I think a lot of the premature and irregular fading has to do with not paying attention to chemical manufacturer warnings for colored pools.

Acid washing is a big gamble, and has some negative results as Ben mentioned. If you can determine that only the top layer is faded and reaching down a little will get your color back, look at "polishing" your plaster. It's a lot of work to do right. Really expensive if you have someone do it while the water is in the pool. Still kind of expensive with the pool drained. The right equipment isn't cheap, and it doesn't seem to be something that produces a lot of work.

I am very much against painting pools. It's cheaper up front, but not in the long run. To give you an idea, we paint roughly 10 pools a year compared to plastering 30-50 pools a year. I'll maybe have a problem with 1 or 2 plaster jobs, and that is rare. I can count on going back to at least a quarter of the paint jobs for something. And understand this, we are meticulous. 1, because if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right. 2, I know the more care I put into it up front, the less the chances are that I'll have to go back.

[bizzy]

Ok, so i had a pool contractor come out and take a look at my pool. It appears that the pool has been acid washed before and it may have taken a few layers off. Pool guys said that he also DOES Not recomend for me to paint my pool. As stated here, if I do paint it, then I will have to repaint every 2-3 years no matter what. So painting the pool is out of the question. I will look for a way to repair the top step but for sure NO PAINT.

[Shredhead]

Bizzy:

My first plaster job lasted 14 years. The first part to go, was the top step.
I replastered with colored Pebble Sheen. The pool looks new at the end of my second year.