Guidelines for Pool and Spa Operators - Arkansas Department of

Special (or problem surface preparation) Where paint is peeling, blistering and/or powdering badly, it should be
sandblasted. Sandblasting is the only way to get a truly satisfactory surface.
When making arrangements with a sandblaster ask him to guarantee:
to remove every last trace of the old paint so there is none left on the surface or in the pores of the concrete
to furnish a fully watertight pool
to render the concrete smooth and even-textured, filling all cracks, air holes and other cavities which
sandblasting may have exposed.
After sandblasting and making the necessary structural repairs, you have essentially a new, unpainted pool.
Plaster pools. These are regular concrete pools to which a thick white or near-white ―cement-type‖ surface has been
applied.
If the plaster finish is in good shape and is not powdering, flaking or chalking, acid etching and painting will
produce an outstanding job. Not only will the paint give the pool a beautiful tile-like surface that‘s easy to clean, but
the plaster will be protected from deterioration.
Fiberglass pools. Because of the inherent characteristics of fiberglass, bonding of paint to this type of pool is a
problem. The answer is complete and careful cleaning, and the use of paint which has the best bonding
characteristics.
Clean the surface of the bare fiberglass pool with a cleanser such as Ajax. Careful scrubbing will remove all dirt,
oils, etc., on the surface and in any eroded pits. Rinse the surface thoroughly. Next, slightly roughen the fiberglass
with sandpaper. This will provide the ―tooth‖ for a better mechanical bond with the paint. Hose down the pool to
remove dust and any other remaining foreign matter. When the surface is dry (paint will not adhere satisfactorily to
a damp surface) the pool may be painted. Never use a solvent wipe on a fiberglass surface after it has been sanded
in preparation for painting.
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