How To Determine How Much Paint To Use When Painting Your Pool

When getting ready for summer, you'll want your in-ground pool to look like a refreshing oasis. If your pool has started to look dingy over the years, it might be time for a fresh coat of paint.

Pools can be painted with epoxy, water-based acrylic, or rubberized paints, although rubberized paints are specially made for pools, can withstand pool chemicals, and keep mold and mildew at bay. Typically, 1 gallon of rubberized paint is needed for 300 to 350 square feet of surface. You may need more depending on the manufacturer or if you're using a different type of paint.

If you're painting your pool for the first time, you'll need to consider what material your pool is made of to determine the best paint to use, but if your pool has been painted before, you'll want to use the same type as previously. When calculating how much paint you'll need to buy, don't forget that you'll need to add two coats.

For new concrete and plaster swimming pools that have never been painted before, epoxy, acrylic, and rubberized paints will all work well, but fiberglass pools should be painted with epoxy. If the concrete is older, epoxy paint is recommended, but the other options are still fine to use.

If your pool has been painted before, you'll want to use the same type of paint as the first time it was painted, but you may not be sure what was used in the original paint job. To find out, clean a small section of your pool, wet a cloth with denatured alcohol, and lightly rub the clean surface. The paint will soften if it's acrylic. To test if it's rubberized or epoxy, apply a small amount of acetone to the surface. Rubberized paint will soften, and epoxy will stay the same.

To figure out exactly how much paint you'll need, determine the surface area and the suggested coverage for the paint you purchased. If you don't want to do the math, there are several pool area calculators online. While acrylic pool paint only lasts one or two years, rubberized paint can last for two to four years, and epoxy for seven to eight years.

After draining your pool, clean and scrub the surface to get rid of body oils and sunscreen, and repair any cracks or holes. If any of the old paint is peeling, you'll need to scrape it off. Once the pool is completely dry, you can start painting. Make sure to cover the drain so your paint doesn't clog it. Start by painting the edges of your pool with a brush, and then move on to a roller for the rest. It's easiest to stand in the bottom of the pool and work from the top down, applying thin coats. It can take up to a week for rubberized paint to cure, but putting fans nearby can help speed up the process.

For the best results, paint your pool in the morning to avoid direct sunlight, and check the weather to ensure there's no chance of rain for a few days.

Once your pool is painted, you'll have a beautiful place to swim after opening your pool for the summer.