Good pool paint is not just a way of adorning or beautifying your swimming pool. It is also ideal for protecting the pool and aiding in pool maintenance along the line.
The right swimming pool paint will beautify and protect your pool wall and floor from the adverse effect of sunlight, pool chemicals, and usage while giving that beautiful touch to the entire pool.
For many wondering what the best swimming pool paint is, we all know that choosing the best out of many can be draining since there are many available on the market, but only the best pool paints offer the best value in the long run.
To ensure that your swimming pool is adequately colored, we have here all you need to know about the best pool paints, what to consider before buying one, and much more. So let’s get painting.
Top 3 Recommendations
Best Overall – INSL-X Waterborne, Semi-Gloss Acrylic Pool Paint
Runner up – AdCoat Swimming Pool Paint
Best alternative – In The Swim CRC Pro-Series Chlorinated Rubber-Base Pool Paint
The Best Pool Paint Guide for 2022
1. INSL-X Waterborne, Semi-Gloss Acrylic Pool Paint – Best for Saltwater Swimming Pools
For saltwater swimming pool owners in need of the absolute best paint to give that perfect shine that will withstand the added pool chemicals from the saltwater, then you should consider INSL-X Waterborne Semi-Gloss Acrylic paint.
With unique properties that make it ideal to withstand saltwater pools as well as freshwater pools, this emulsion pool paint works perfectly fine on swimming pools with masonry surfaces, marcite, gunite, and concrete pool without causing any harm to the environment and humans around it.
In addition, with its lasting color protection and its semi-gloss finish, this quick-drying product can be applied to outdoor pools and indoor pools alike. Also does well on slightly damp surfaces; it’s super easy to use and of course, comes in a variety of colors.
Pros
- Fit for saltwater and freshwater
- Quick-drying
- Offers long-lasting color and protection
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Can flake over time
2. AdCoat Swimming Pool Paint – Best UV resistant
Not all paints are duly made to strongly withstand the harsh sun rays of the sun as well as those of the chemicals in the pool and much more.
For the right protection against weather and chemicals, while donning a fresh satin finish, the AdCoat paint becomes your trump card.
Suitable for indoor and outdoor pools, holding tanks, fountains, and more, this 2 part epoxy pool paint with a water-based acrylic resin provides long-lasting protection from fading, chalking, and added durability to withstand strong saltwater exposure and chemicals from pool water treatment.
Again, the AdCoat paint cures fully in 6 hours and works well with plaster pool, concrete, gunite, and fiberglass pools. Available in cool blue and white the package comes with a gallon kit to cover up to 300 square feet.
Pros
- Perfect protection from the sun and chemicals
- Easy mixture and application
- Unique colors
- Good coverage
- Prevents fading and chalking
Cons
- Requires large order for to get other colors
3. In The Swim CRC Pro-Series Chlorinated Rubber-Base Pool Paint – Best Retouching Paint
In The Swim Super Poxy Shield paint is the perfect choice to upgrade your previous rubber-base finishing for more beauty and longevity.
As a chlorinated rubber paint, the In the Swim Super Poxy Shield paint is a self-priming paint with excellent color retention and chemical resistance that allows the paint to last up to 6-7 years after repainting. It also repels stains offering a tile-like finish that makes your pool sparkle even more.
The Swim CRC Pro-Series paint is capable of covering 250 square feet on an average per gallon and recommends a single coat for already painted surfaces and double coats for unpainted or porous surfaces. Available in a variety of colors like dark blue, pool blue, and more, it is suitable for fiberglass, plaster, concrete, and gunite.
Pros
- Perfect to revive the looks of your pool
- Affordable
- Offers a tile-like finish
- Works well for many surfaces
- Available in dark blue and more
Cons
- Very slick when wet
4. Pond Armor SKU-SKYBLUE-QT-R Non-Toxic Pond Shield Epoxy Paint – Best Eco-friendly
The Pond Armor SKU-SKYBLUE Non-Toxic Pond Shield paint is one of the few with non-toxic traits and climate-resistant composition.
Composed of waterproof formula, Pond Armor is specifically designed to be safe for fish, all kinds of animals; in fact, and plants while being suitable to withstand a wide range of climatic environments.
As the type of paint that works well with many types of surfaces, this epoxy pool paint also goes well with metals, shotcrete, some plastics, brick, and some rubbers. Also, the easily applied paint helps ward off algae, and with its self-priming formula comes with more reliable adhesion and glossy finish. The paint makes it easier to maintain.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Good for most climate temperatures
- Durable paint with easy maintenance
- Works well with a variety of surfaces
Cons
- Application is confusing
5. Kelley Technical 390GL Olympic Zeron Epoxy Pool Coating – Best Single Coat Option
When we talk about a paint type with the ideal single coat and longest-lasting effect, the Kelly Technical Olympic Zeron coating must be recognized.
The epoxy paint is designed to cover your pool effortlessly with a single coat process, thanks to its heavier composition makes it thick enough to do with one coat. Again, the composition ensures that the paint lasts you as long as 8 years without fail.
With a coverage area of 125-150 square feet, the paint is able to withstand chemicals, pool cleaning machines, pH balance, and so much more while remaining bright with a ceramic-like finish that adds beauty to your pool surface. The Kelly Technical Olympic Zeron coating is also available in a variety of colors, from white to blue mist, for a varied look.
Pros
- Longest lifespan
- Easy to maintain
- Comes in a variety of colors
- High gloss finish
Cons
- Not resistant to strong sun rays
6. Zinsser 260539 Pool Paint – Best Quick Drying
For a quick-drying effect on your concrete and plastered pools, a look at what Zinsser pool paint can do will make you wonder in amazement.
With a drying time frame of 4-6 hours, this ready-to-use paint is a cement-based formula that protects your pool and beautifies it all at once.
Perfect for a variety of surfaces like masonry, concrete, gunite, and plastered swimming pools, the paint is able to cover 75-100 square feet per gallon on a rough surface and up to 125-150 square feet per gallon on a smoother surface.
Pros
- Fast-drying action
- Protects and beautifies your pool
- Works with both rough and smooth surfaces
Cons
- Fades quickly
7. INSL-X Complementary COATINGS CHL RB PP CR2623092-01 – Best Water Organism Fighter
Not many paints for pools can perfectly resist algae, fungus, and other parasitic organisms that often grow on the floor and around the edges of the pool but INSL-X Complementary COATINGS does that and much more.
Designed with a coating that serves as a protective barrier against fungus, algae, and fading, the paint offers added protection to your pool and reduces maintenance stress.
Perfect to use on floors already painted with chlorinated rubber paint and for floors like concrete, marcite, masonry surfaces coverage, and others. It is ideal to cover 250-300 square feet per gallon.
Pros
- Prevents fungus, algae, and other organisms
- Good for fresh and saltwater
- Wide coverage
Cons
- Peels if not applied correctly
8. Pool Paint 1-gal. White Semi-Gloss Acrylic Exterior Paint – Best Protection
The Dyco paint offers you the perfect protection and resistance against chemicals, salt, and also water.
As a waterborne acrylic coating, the Dyco paint perfectly seals hairline cracks along the pool floor and, with its high gloss tile-like finish, protects the surfaces from stain, fades, and cracks, making pool maintenance an easy feat for you.
Available in white and ocean blue, the paint is a standard mixture of durability, protection, and beauty ideal for floors with marcite, plaster, and concrete, with 250 square feet per gallon to cover your pool. And has a lifespan of 5-7 years.
Pros
- Offers protection from water, salt, and chemicals
- Protective with high durability
- Color retention with easy maintenance
Cons
- Takes a long time to dry
FAQs
Is pool paint toxic?
No, pool paints are non-toxic coloring contents designed to bond to a variety of materials such as stone, concrete, metal, wood, and so on, and they are safe for humans, aquatic animals, and plants.
How long does pool paint need to dry?
With the right temperature, a pool paint can dry between 3-5 days for outdoor pools and between 10-14 days for indoor pools.
Note that some pool paints may have a shorter drying period; to be sure, consult the details and instructions that come with the paint you are utilizing.
How long does pool paint last?
Different pool paint types have different lifespan ranges. Generally, pool paints are expected to last between 2-5 years.
The longest-lasting pool paint is the epoxy pool paint which lasts between 5-7 years or more, the rubber paint lasts between 2-6 years, and the acrylic paint lasts between 2-4 years.
Why is my pool paint bubbling?
Your pool paint is bubbling and blistering because the pool’s surface wasn’t prepared properly before painting.
Before you paint your pool surface, just like any other paint job, make sure you are not applying the paint on rough surfaces but rather on smooth pool surfaces, and make sure the pool’s surface is also dry before painting.
How much pool paint do I need?
To know how much paint you need or how many gallons of paint you need to cover your entire swimming pool, multiply the length by width by 1.7. If you are applying two coats, you multiply by 2. Whatever number you get is the total square footage you need to cover.
To finally get the amount of pool paint necessary, divide the square footage you need to cover by how many square feet each gallon of paint covers. For example, if the gallon of paint covers 900 square feet, the calculation would be length x width x 1.7 divided by 900.
Also, keep in mind that the number of gallons of paint to use depends on the kind of paint you plan to buy, the number of coats you wish to apply, and the size of your pool.
Does epoxy pool paint need a primer?
No, epoxy pool paints do not require primers at all. However, a primer coat is beneficial as it provides a uniform color base and makes it easier to sand than an epoxy resin.
Painting Tips: How to Apply Pool Paint
To ensure that your swimming pool enjoys a good coat of pool paint for a very long time, here are some steps to apply a new paint job:
Step 1 – Choose the right time frame
Before anything else, finding the optimum weather condition to paint your pool goes a long way. Ideally, choose a period between a week or two where there will be no rain with an ideal temperature and low to medium wind. This is to ensure that the paint has the perfect atmospheric conditions that will enable it to dry faster and that won’t ruin your pool painting job.
Step 2 – Prepare the swimming pool for painting
Drain the pool, scrape away loose paint if need be. (Note that if you want to paint on an already existing paintwork and you do not know the kind of paint that is there you can take a paint chip for sampling to know the right paint to get).
Don’t forget to repair any cracks or hollow spots on the swimming pool walls and floor, wash the pool surface with acid washing, rinse off to remove acid, and let it dry completely.
Step 3 – Paint the pool
Once your pool is sufficiently dried you can proceed to paint. You can use a primer if it’s your first time painting the pool or if the pool surface is rough. Make sure you coat every area adequately with as many coats as required for a perfect look.
Step 4 – Drying
Once you are done painting, you can remove any painter’s tape used and of course, wait for the paint to dry off. Depending on the type of paint and the weather temperature, you could wait between 3-5 days or more.
Step 5 – Usage
Once the paint is completely dried, you can now fill your pool, add the necessary chemicals and take other necessary steps to keep your pool running and in good shape.
Buying Guide
Types of pool paint
Before you go ahead to make that payment for a pool paint, the first thing you need to understand is that there are different types of pool paint options based on their properties and other things. In all, we have 3 main types namely acrylic paint, epoxy pool paint, and Rubberized pool paints (chlorinated rubber and synthetic rubber pool paint).
Acrylic pool paints
These are first and foremost very affordable, they are easy to apply, they are known to do well on wet surfaces and bare surfaces, and come in two forms, premium acrylic paint, and water-based acrylic pool paint. On the other hand, acrylic paint doesn’t do well on rough surfaces and doesn’t cover stains so well.
Premium-based acrylic paints are environmentally friendly paint types perfect for unpainted pool surfaces as well as pools previously coated with rubber or acrylic paint. Water-based acrylic paints on their part are fast-drying paints that are perfect for pools that need to be used within a short while after painting. Despite its quick-drying rate, water-based acrylic paints have a very short lifespan and require repainting every couple of years.
Epoxy pool paints
They are solvent-based and long-lasting types that are quite versatile when it comes to pool painting. Epoxy paints are tough and able to resist solvents, abrasions, and chemicals and they adhere well to different types of surfaces. They also last longer on surfaces lasting up to eight years or more, giving a smooth surface finish and also helping to take care of hairline cracks.
An epoxy paint most times does not require a primer but certain floor types require an epoxy primer, unlike the other paints it is more difficult to use and also more expensive but still considered the best pool paint type available.
Rubberized pool paints
Rubberized paints are categorized into chlorinated rubber paints and synthetic rubber paint. The chlorinated version which is the most common of the two is a great choice to tackle algae and other outgrowths in pools and has a lifespan of 3-5 years, yet rubberized pool paints have gone out of style and been replaced with more eco-friendly options.
Pool surface type
Asides from the different paint types, different pool surfaces also require different types of paint so before you decide on the paint, find out the type of pool surface you have back home.
Generally speaking, epoxy pool paints work perfectly on almost any kind of surface. Epoxy paints work well for fiberglass pool, for gunite pool, and for plaster pools. An acrylic pool paint works fine for concrete pools and unpainted concrete, and for plaster pools.
Price and quality
Pool painting isn’t something you do every day so you need something durable, high-quality, and of course fashionable to coat your floor surfaces without having to look back or regret it.
As earlier stated, the most durable is the epoxy pool paint with 8 years lifespan, and although it is a bit expensive and not so easy to use, it is worth the investment. Acrylics are known to be the least durable and although they are budget-friendly and eco-friendly, their lifespan falls between 2-4 years. Rubberized paints on their part last for about 5 years but are not so common because of their safety concerns.
Conclusion
Be it a light blue coating, or a dazzling green hue, no one can deny that pool paints truly bring out the beauty of swimming pools.
Owning a pool with beautiful pool paint to adorn it is more than just looks, but also an investment which is why you need the best pool paint option for yours. So now that you know what to look for, what’s stopping you from getting the best paint for your swimming pool?