UltraGuard Fiasco

I have used the forum in the past for advice about many things, but the last time i was on I discussed my gunite to epoxy finish conversion. I prepped for one whole season and applied, by spec, UltraGuard, then used the pool for two seasons. This year the finish is judged a failure. Some of it is popping off, it is thinning in areas, and the entire finish has severe yellowing. I am starting over.

It is impractical to consider restoring the plaster, so I'm on the prowl for another coating. Does anyone have any suggestions? The surface can be characterized as in fairly good shape: some exposed concrete smoothed and filled with a mortar bed, some clean and stable plaster, and of course a lot of secure but yellow Ultraguard.

I've used Kelley Technical's Zeron epoxy many times, always successfully.

But . . . . I've never really seen any other contractor do epoxy well. Usually, they put on too thin, or in bad weather conditions.

In your case, the yellowing is probably a paint defect UNLESS you have iron in the water. If it's iron, pouring some 50/50 muriatic acid on a spot will clear it up, AND let you know what the problem is. You can check for iron in your fill water by looking in the back of your toilet: if it's orange or brown, you do. Epoxy paint seems to pick up iron stains pretty readily.

If it's flaking from the plaster, often that means residue remained OR the paint was applied after it had begun to set. If it's flaking between the prime and finish coat, usually that means the finish was applied too long after the prime coat.

Thinning can either mean low grade paint OR that you applied too thin a coat. One way to judge: with Zeron, if you get more than 200 sft of coverage (14' x 14'), you're putting on too thin. I've heard contractors brag about getting 350 sft coverage . . . and I've seen the pools they got it on, too.

If you've got sound epoxy, you can sand it and recoat. If you've got loose stuff, you have to get it off first. But either way, you need to make sure you understand why the paint on your pool is failing before you go for a fix.

Ben

Thank you for that excellent information. I believe the flaking is due to plaster residue as I remember not being as diligent in those areas. Everything loose has been ground away and the pool is stable. I'll wait for the perfect stretch of weather and apply the Zeron with your advice in mind.
Thanks again.

Dan