Over the last century, swimming pools have undergone something of a cultural revolution – from serving as the backdrop for social change in the 1960s to becoming status symbols in the 80s – and even works of art in contemporary times.
For a pool owner, keeping your swimming pool beautiful can be a matter of great pride. If you’re thinking of upgrading or changing up your pool’s aesthetics, a new coat of pool paint would be the easiest way to do this. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that you should pick any random pool paint options because several varieties exist in the market.
8 Best Paints to Consider for Your Swimming Pool
There are several factors to take in when you’re going paint-shopping for your swimming pool. Here’s a brief list covering some of the best options to look out for, and why you should and shouldn’t go for them.
INSL-X Waterborne, Semi-Gloss Pool Paint
This acrylic pool paint works with salt or freshwater swimming pools. You can apply it on moist pool surfaces without compromising the effectiveness. You’ll find it dries fast and is ready for use almost immediately. The product will leave your pool looking shiny with lasting color.
INSL-X Waterborne is also low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) – this means that it is safer to use, easier to clean when dry, and results in less harmful fumes that can cause allergic reactions and health issues. You’ll notice INSL X offers color protection varying from white to ocean blue and aquamarine. The product functions best on marcite, concrete, and gunite pools.
It’s accessible in a one-gallon can and covers about 300-400 square feet. The emulsion paint is easy to use and its application can take place over most kinds of appropriately prepared pools without stripping the old pool paint, provided that the old coat is in decent condition.
Pros
- Fast-drying
- Environmentally friendly
- Long-lasting protection and color
Cons
- Can peel over time
Pond Armor SKU
The non-toxic pond armor SKU is among the best epoxy pool paint options you can find. It comprises a waterproof formula, which enables its usage in varying climates, including hot and freezing weather.
Pond Armor SKU contains a self-priming formula, which permits firm bonding and results in a ready-finished surface and easy maintenance. It functions as a pond liner, which waterproofs several water features such as ponds and aquariums – not just swimming pools. You’ll notice it creates a natural, smooth finish – free of wrinkles.
Your pool will enjoy protection against cracks and a lasting coat. The pool paint has a quick-drying feature, which means that the surface will be usable in 24 hours. Furthermore, the product adheres to any surface comprising concrete, brick, stone, or wood because of the flexible bond potency.
It’s suitable for rubber, most plastics, and other coatings. Pond armor is accessible in a 1.5-quart kit and is ideal for large or huge pool painting projects. For most applications, you’ll simply require a roller, brush, or sprayer. The product allows you to wipe off algae growth easily once applied.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Easy maintenance
- Durability
- Flexible coating
Cons
- Poor instruction manual
- Dries extremely quickly during the application process
In The Swim Super Poxy Shield
This excellent epoxy pool paint is perfect for plaster pools and provides superior quality with a long-lasting high gloss finish. Unlike other pool epoxies, it’s accessible in three color choices besides sky blue – coming in white, black, and dark blue finishes.
The best part about this product is that a single application will last up to eight years. Since nobody enjoys repeating the same task twice, this product offers great peace of mind once used. Like numerous epoxies, it’s ideal for a wide range of surfaces. That’s why many uses In the Swim Super Poxy Shield for hot tubs and fountains – not just pools.
Despite its versatility, it isn’t the easiest to apply. You’ll require acid washing, scrubbing, and priming before application. On the bright side, your project just requires one coat and with the right paint manufacturer instructions, accessories, and tools, you’ll be fine.
There is another water based paint application called the swim aqua coat which is an acrylic pool paint.
Pros
- Stain-resistant
- Excellent for various surfaces
- Durable and stylish high-gloss finish
- Different color choices
Cons
- Heavy, thick, and a bit tough to apply
- Requires pre-application work
RUST-OLEUM Pool Paint
Rust-Oleum is recommended because the product dries fast and is ready to use straight out of the can. It’s suitable for plastered and concrete pools, which maintain a refreshing and inviting look. You’ll discover the protective coat preserves and renews your swimming pool. Simultaneously, the ready-to-use formula allows it to quickly waterproof and decorate the interior and exterior of concrete, masonry, granite, or plastered pools.
The pool paint dries within 4-6 hours to the touch, so you should apply a second coat at least 24 hours after the initial coat to ensure longevity and thorough waterproofing. Once properly applied, the paint is long-lasting and highly durable, offering additional protective swimming pool coatings for swimming surfaces.
Aside from the quality, consumers like Rust-Oleum because of the striking color-blue. Roughly, the paint covers 75-100 sq ft per gallon on rough surfaces while they can cover up to 125-150 sq ft on smooth surfaces.
Don’t paint your pool under direct sunlight and make sure you’ve prepared the pool surface properly and pressure washed it before painting takes place. You should also gauge the quantities to make sure you have enough for the task – keep in mind that you’ll want to calculate for double coats of paint.
Pros
- Easy application
- Great results and excellent finish
- Affordability
Cons
- Paint chip and fading after a season
- Limited use in some states because of VOC content
- Not environmentally-friendly
AdCoat Pool Paint
The acrylic water-based AdCoat Swimming pool paint is best suited for industrial, commercial, and residential pools. You can use it in fountains, aqueducts, and holding tanks. A gallon kit covers up to 300 square feet, and the product is ideal for fiberglass, concrete, and plaster.
Ad coat swimming pool paint is appropriate for an outdoor and indoor application while its two-part system yields stronger surface bonding. You’ll discover the two constituents are easy to apply and mix using ordinary painting methods – just follow the instructions.
It’s worth noting that the practical and aesthetic product offers salt and freshwater pool protection.
In stores, AdCoat Swimming pool paint is accessible in white or cool blue, yielding a clean satin finish. You can order custom colors with a minimum of 15 gallons. For optimal results, you must prepare the substrate correctly and allow adequate time for the coat to dry before you fill the swimming pool with water.
Pros
- Great coverage
- Applies and mixes easily
- Custom color options
Cons
- The product can fade and dissolve over time
- This type of paint isn’t as effective for pool slides
Kelley Technical Olympic Zeron
Olympic Zeron epoxy pool paint is proven to be long lasting and its popularity originates from a one-coat process that lasts up to eight years. You’ll discover all the color remains brighter longer due to the glossy finish and extreme sturdiness of this product once applied.
The pool paint offers long-range protection for concrete finishes. If you’re seeking an economical substitute to pool replastering, this paint is ideal. You’ll also find it suitable for new pools or refinishing coarse, discolored plaster.
Furthermore, Olympic Zeron epoxy pool coating is excellent for sealing hairline cracks and resists numerous pool stains. A gallon covers about 150 square feet – priming is necessary for optimal results.
Pros
- Easy application
- Compatibility with plaster or concrete swimming pools
- Extended durability
- High gloss
Con
- Peeling possibilities
- Requires primer to be applied separately
Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant
You can apply liquid rubber paint like any ordinary paint on most surfaces to protect and waterproof them. Since it permits excellent adhesion to virtually any substrate, it’s the most universal protector and sealer.
Once you apply rubber paints to a substrate, they function as adhesives while bonding well to the substrate to develop a seamless and flexible rubber membrane to stop rusting and prevent water infiltration. You’ll discover that the sealant generates a waterproof coating that resists aging and cracking, making them suitable for pool areas and ponds.
Pros
- Easy application
- Seamless coating
- Fast-drying and long-lasting
Cons
- Generally, not aesthetically pleasing
- They comprise PCBs that can be hazardous to health
RAMUC EP Epoxy Paint
Epoxy pool paints yield a hard, durable finish, offering chemical, abrasion, and stain resistance for protecting plaster, fiberglass pools, and concrete swimming pools. The RAMUC EP pool paint cures to a high gloss finish with great coverage rates, particularly on formerly painted epoxy surfaces.
You’ll discover that epoxy pool paints are ideal for indoor pools due to their chemical cure. Keep in mind that proper prep work is necessary to attain the desired finish.
Pros
- High gloss finish
- Protects unpainted or formerly painted epoxy surfaces
- Chemical and abrasion-resistant
Cons
- Takes a longer duration to cure
- Offers a smooth finish but is slippery to walk on, making it less than ideal for shallow pools
Buying Guide
Now that you’ve got a good handle on a variety of market options, you might need a primer on how to best judge which solution works for your pool’s specifications.
If you’re uncertain about the pool paint to purchase, this guide offers insight into the features to consider when looking for the best pool paint.
Type
Pool paint is available in various types, including epoxy, acrylic, and two-part mixes.
Choosing the appropriate pool paint types for your swimming pool requires knowledge of two variables: the type of pool surface (painted or unpainted), and the kind of paint used previously during installation.
If you’ve never painted your pool before, you don’t have to worry about using similar paint. Based on the type of pool surface, you can choose from epoxy paints, rubber-based, or water-based acrylic paint. For a formerly painted swimming pool, you need to use the same pool paint types used before or water-based acrylic pool paints, which bond to any former pool paint used. Pool paint type is crucial.
Pool Size
When considering the amount of swimming pool paint you require, begin with determining the pool surface area that needs coverage. Establishing the square footage can be complex, but you could discover numerous online tools.
By identifying an estimated area that needs coverage, you’ll be in a position to obtain the right quantity and prevent leftovers. Furthermore, a gallon of two different paints won’t cover a similar area, and if you intend to apply numerous coatings, make sure you consider that as well.
Durability and Quality
Pool painting isn’t a task you want to do regularly, so it’s understandable to expect high standards concerning the durability and quality of the paint you purchase. You want products that can cover your pool’s surface well without leaving cracks or bubbles and can resist numerous years of sun exposure and pool chemicals.
Out of the pool paint types that exist, epoxy paint is the most durable. Quality pool paint in numerous layers can appear great for up to eight years. However, it’s a bit costly and not easy to use. Acrylic paint is the least sturdy although it can last numerous years if done properly.
Rubber paint, on the other hand, falls somewhere in between. Just be cautious with the swimming pool paint you’re purchasing due to health hazards – take care when reading labels and try to find low or non-VOC paints.
Paint Quantity
This will depend on various factors – the paint you’re using, the number of needed coats, and the pool’s square footage. Once you’ve added up the square footage that needs painting, you’ll divide it by the square footage or paint gallon. This will let you know how many gallons of paint you’ll need to purchase.
Keep in mind that you might need to consider more than one paint coat. Beware that pitted, unpainted, and rough surfaces usually soak more paint per square foot. It’s always recommended that you purchase at least an extra gallon of paint than what you believe you’ll need, so you can complete the task at once – it can always come in handy around the house, after all.
In case you fall short of what’s required for complete coverage, there will be inconsistency in the swimming pool paint application. As you draw close to completing the final coat application, you can roll on the paint in thick layers to use up the excess, particularly around the major drain and on the step.
Primer Use
A primer is essential for the best bonding on most unpainted pool surfaces. For rubber or acrylic-based pool paints, full strength or diluted first coat will function as a primer. If you’re painting a plaster surface using epoxy paint, an epoxy primer coat must be used first to fill in rough spots and prime the surface. When it comes to rough surfaces, the granite primer should come first before epoxy paints to smooth out and fill in the surface while enhancing the bond between the paint and pool.
FAQs
Do I Require A Primer?
This will depend on the type of pool paint you’re using and the surface beneath. A primer prepares the surface and allows improved adhesion once the paint application takes place. For instance, numerous epoxy pool paints need a primer if used in unpainted concrete. If painting is taking place over existing paint, you might not require a primer if you use the same kind of paint.
How Long Does It Take Before Another Application?
Although this depends on the paint type you use, it should typically last from 2-5 years on average. Epoxy paints are the sturdiest and can last up to eight years. Conversely, premium acrylic pool paint lasts between 2 and 4 years, so you’ll need to refresh it more frequently.
Why Is My Paint Bubbling?
The major reason for bubbling or blistering is poor preparation before paint application takes place. The most common sources are moisture or dirt on the surface before application. To prevent this, make sure surface preparation takes place properly. Elevated temperatures could also be an underlying cause, so you should paint the swimming pool during the off-season.
How Much Would It Cost to Paint A Swimming pool?
It depends on the best pool paint you select and the number of layers you wish to apply. For instance, if you have a small pool measuring 20x10ft that’s 4ft deep, you’ll need to paint 440 ft in the surface area including walls and the bottom. If you want to apply a second coat on your pool, this goes up to 880 sq ft. Each gallon of paint comes with its own approximate square foot value, so a bit of basic math can get you your answer.
What Is the Cause for Chalking Paint?
The main reason behind chalking paint is bad chemistry in your swimming pool. Continuously elevated chlorine levels are the major cause, although low pH is a huge contributor as well. If you notice the paint chalking, repainting is the best solution.
Bottom Line
A fresh coat of pool paint is a great way of enhancing your pool’s appearance, longevity, and hygiene. You’ll want to choose the best paint that offers protection to the walls and give them a lasting effect. That’s why it’s necessary to select the best pool paint and implement a proper application.
We hope our guide has helped you select the perfect paint for your pool, and given you the knowledge you need to get started with the best pool paint.
