Step 1
If your pool is already painted, you will need to know the existing paint type before applying any new paint as not all paints are compatible. This can be determined by sending a sample to Ramuc (or other paint manufacturer) if the paint type is unknown. There are also a few tests you can try. Take a 1 inch paint chip, immerse it in denatured alcohol. If the chip dissolves, it is a water-based acrylic. If it doesn't dissolve, immerse a new chip in 75% mineral spirits and 25% Xylol, wait 30 seconds and rub the chip between your thumb and forefinger. If it dissolves, the paint is a synthetic rubber-base coating. If not, try immersing one last chip in 100% Xylol. If it dissolves, the paint type is chlorinated rubber; if it does not, it is an epoxy.
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/29/2017
Lisa - You can paint your fiberglass steps but you will have to use an epoxy paint. See this chart on "paint compatibility". Also, see our guide on "How to Paint a Pool with Epoxy Paint".Reply
Lisa Posted: 5/27/2017
I'm trying to repaint my fiberglass steps in my pool. We are having the vinyl liner replaced. The steps have no cracks or damage other tan the blue has now faded to white. Is there a way to do this? It is a inground pool and they are fiberglass.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/24/2017
Sanjose - Check if your pool was previously painted with epoxy paint. Acrylic paints do not adhere well to epoxy. See this link to our Paint Compatibility Chart. Also, see our guide on "How to Paint a Pool with Epoxy Paint" for instructions on testing for previous paint covering.Reply
Sanjose Posted: 5/22/2017
My pool was power-washed and repainted 2 years ago with Aqua Seal. Now it is chipping, I am considering to acid-washed n then repaint with acrylic enamel paint aqua seal. The tiles around the wall have fell off. I was planning to remove the old adhesive and reattached the old tile and possibly add cement to any spot needed.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/6/2017
Jean - Sand the aluminum surface with a fine sandpaper and then paint it with a high-quality enamel spray paint. Check with a boat maintenance dealer for a good marine enamel paint.Reply
Jean Posted: 5/4/2017
What kind of paint can I use on the aluminum handle to my steps (wedding cake) into the above ground pool? The portion of the handle that is under water needs re-painted.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 4/17/2017
Dann - Follow the procedure in Step 1 of this guide to determine your pool’s previous paint type. As you suggest, it is important that you know the previous paint before you try to paint it again.Reply
Dann Posted: 4/12/2017
My pool was previously painted, but I do not know what kind of paint they used on it. Measures 15x30 concrete. What kind of paint can I apply?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 4/10/2017
fiberglass pool - If you can power wash the fiberglass surface to a solid base, you can use an epoxy base paint on the fiberglass surface.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 4/8/2017
I have a rhinonlined fiberglass pool where the rhino lining is deteriorating. Can I paint the rhino lining and if so, what kind of paint?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 4/8/2017
Chris - If the pool is structurally sound, no cracks, you should be able to power spray the surface to remove any deterioration or previous surface covering, then paint it with epoxy paint. Follow the instructions carefully.Reply
Chris Posted: 4/4/2017
I have an older concrete pool that hasn't been used in several years. The tiles around the top are almost completely gone. Can any damage to the concrete be fixed and then painted over?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 1/27/2017
Johnny - Unfortunately, you will probably have to power wash the surface to remove all peeling or blistering acrylic paint before painting with epoxy. Epoxy paint must have a solid base to adhere.Reply
Johnny Posted: 1/25/2017
I painted a gunite pool with acrylic paint last year. It peeling and blistering.gunite supposed to be painted with epoxy, but I screwed up. Now what do I do since I'm not supposed to paint epoxy over acrylic?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 11/14/2016
Emmanuel academy - If this is a new unpainted pool, the epoxy paint will be the most durable but requires more preparation. If your pool has been painted previously, you are more limited on resurfacing. Here is a link to a Paint Compatibility Chart.Reply
Emmanuel academy Posted: 11/12/2016
I have a baby pool with ceramic tiles. Which paint is best to use. Want to turn it to a blue finish.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 10/31/2016
micagman - If you tried to use an epoxy paint over a previously painted pool that was not epoxy, it probably didn't take. Here is a chart that addresses paint compatibility. I would recommend talking to a tech rep with our paint manufacturer, Ramuc at 800-745-6756. They should be able to help you solve your paint issue.Reply
micagman Posted: 10/29/2016
40 year old commercial pool, 28000 gallons , uses chlorine, after painting the blue comes off on the skin. Using rubber based paint.. why is the paint coming off on the skin? Pool is pressure washed and acid washed prior to applying...Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/27/2016
Kdurk - Sorry, I don't understand what a "finite pool" is. In general, Epoxy is the best and most durable paint for a pool surface including a salt water pool. However, the decision on what paint to use is based more on what surface you are painting and what paint was used if you are repainting. See this chart on "Paint Compatibility" for more information.Reply
Kdurk Posted: 9/26/2016
What type of paint can be used on finite pool that runs a saltwater system?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/16/2016
Rev Smith - For previously painted surfaces, epoxy paint can only by used if the previous paint was epoxy. Otherwise, you will have to use the acrylic paint. Here is a link to a pool paint compatibility chart. See step 1 of this guide for determining what paint your baptistery was previously painted with.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/13/2016
Larryann - See step 9 of this guide. If you have an new unpainted concrete surface, the epoxy paint will be your most durable surface.Reply
Rev Smith Posted: 9/12/2016
Our church has an old brick baptistery that has not been used in over 25 years. It is painted, but not sure with what. Trying to figure out how to resurface so we can use it again. Old paint is in good condition just looks old. Any recommendation on what to use?Reply
Larryann Posted: 9/12/2016
I have a cement swim spa and we keep it at 87/90 degrees depending on the weather. What paint is recommended?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 8/12/2016
Janet - If you are considering repainting the whole pool, I would have a professional pool painter look at it. Paint selection is based on what was used originally and if you have to go with epoxy, I would have a professional painter repaint the pool. It can be tricky and this isn't something you would want to do twice.Reply
Janet Posted: 8/10/2016
I have a five year old pool with some staining and a chip in the bottom of the pool. It is Gunite. Do you have any suggestions on repair or paint.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/24/2016
Painting a new pool - I would recommend talking to a tech rep with our paint manufacturer, Ramuc at 800-745-6756. They should be able to give you the information you need for painting a salt water pool.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/23/2016
This was a very helpful, but discouraging, overview of pool paints. We have an unfinished concrete pool that will become (if we ever find the right product to finish it) a residential salt water pool. We had looked at an expensive Marcite finish, but a couple in our neighbourhood, who also have a concrete pool, had it coated in Marcite and just 3 years later they are finding that it is now beginning to flake off. We have also Ben looking ap tiling the top 1 foot and painting the rest,so Superior Industries in the U.S. about their Pro Master Platinum 20-year 2-part epoxy paint; however, because ours is going to be a salt water pool (like you said), they said that it isn't suited to salt water because of the chalking (he didn't mention that the problem was actually the UV rays). Superior's rep. Did say that they are working on a formula for salt water pools but had no idea when they might expect a product to be developed, tested and brought to market.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/18/2016
anglochick - The epoxy paint we sell will not work as a filler. The surface must be solid. Here's a link to our guide on "How to Paint a Pool with Epoxy Paint". It describes the process for preparing the surface for epoxy paint.Reply
anglochick Posted: 6/15/2016
Hi! I have a cedar hot tub that is heated with a wood stove (we call it our cowboy bath!) that is sadly in a bit of disrepair, and has been leaking. Is there an epoxy paint I could use to improve the situation? What type of surface prep should I go through? Thanks in advance for any help!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 4/14/2016
Shontell - Your problem may be the brand of epoxy paint you used. The Ramuc paint manufacturer does recommend epoxy paint for concrete and fiberglass surfaces or for surfaces previously painted with epoxy. There are strict preparation procedures to follow. See our guide on "How to Paint a Pool with Epoxy Paint" for more information.Reply
Shontell Posted: 4/12/2016
I have a cement pool with fiberglass walls at the first 4ft. I've painted with a rubber base paint the first year we bought the house 9years ago. Then 3years ago went with epoxy with all the proper prep work bc I heard it would be better but the last 2years it's been chalking on everyone that swims. Everyone feet turn to smurfs in my pool. No chipping with the paint just fading. Now in my deep end I haven't painted since we moved in and that down to bare cement now. Maybe it was the type of paint I used, but I'd like a lil advice at what's my best way to go now ?Reply
Bill Posted: 3/14/2016
Thanks!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 3/11/2016
Bill - If I were in your position, I would probably go with the water-based acrylic paint. You will have to remove the bubbled surfaces but it sounds like you have done that process more than once.Reply
Bill Posted: 3/8/2016
I have a 28-year old gunite pool. After a few years, I coated the gunite with Ramuc epoxy. That lasted a few years and I did it again, hand sanding bubbles and pressure/acid etch washing. For the third time a few years later, I prepped the same way, but used Zeon (sp) epoxy paint. It didn't last as long as the Ramuc. In any case, I am about to sell the house and would like to refinish the pool as cheaply as possible. I have lots of bubbles. Should I sandblast, acid wash, pressure wash and then can I use the less expensive acrylic water-based paint? Not only cheaper, but should be lots easier to apply than the painstaking epoxy. Thanks, Bill.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 3/7/2016
Big Time - I would guess that the acrylic emulsion would have to come off to get you down to the epoxy primer. Then you would have to treat and sandpaper the primer surface. See our guide on "How to Paint a Pool with Epoxy Paint". Then I would call the experts at Ramuc Paint at 973-776-8271 to double check the procedure. This is something you don't want to do again.Reply
Big Time Posted: 3/7/2016
I have a plaster pool. Prior to applying applying epoxy based primer, I pressure washed the surface. Now I know that I should have acid washed it, instead of just pressure washing. After I primed it with the epoxy based primer, I painted it with Aqua Seal water based acrylic emulsion. It looked great the first year, but horribly faded the next year. I am getting ready to start the whole resurface process over next week. How should I prep and what coatings should I use after it's acid washed?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 2/18/2016
sandblast pool - Yes it is alright to sandblast your pool before repainting. I am assuming you have a gunite or concrete pool and for these type of pools you would want to use an epoxy base paint. You will still have to go through an extensive preparation of the surface before you paint. See our guide on "How to Paint a Pool with Epoxy Paint" and carefully follow these instructions and those that come with the paint.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 2/17/2016
Is it OK to sandblast the pool before repainting? What paint would you recommend. Inground pool 15x30.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 2/15/2016
Bernie - You would use epoxy paint to paint your pebblecrete pool and it will require some extensive prepping. See our guide on "How to Paint a Pool with Epoxy Paint" for instructions.Reply