How to Paint Your Pool
Now that you’ve decided which pool paint you need and have adequately prepped your pool surface, it’s time to put the rubber to the road (or more appropriately, the roller to the paint) and learn how to paint your pool! At this point, you’ve either decided to go with the Zeron Epoxy Pool Paint, the Olympic Poxolon 2 epoxy pool paint, the Olympic Paralon 2 pool paint, the Olympic Optilon pool paint, or the Olympic Hydrolon pool paint.
Here’s a quick guide to each of the painting procedures for each of the Olympic paint systems.
Safety Precaution: Be SURE to wear protective gloves, shoes, and eye wear before you begin mixing or using any of the Olympic pool paints.
ZERON (epoxy)
Roller: Best applied with a 9” roller cover with a 7/16” nap length. Nap length refers to how long the fibers on the roller cover are while the previous measurement has to do with width. Also try to get a roller with a solvent resistant core.
Recommended Primer: Poxoprime II. Allow to cure before continuing.
Application: Zeron typically requires only one coat. Apply liberally and the finish will be durable. Coat the walls first, floor last.
Coverage: 125-150 square feet per gallon.
Curing Schedule: The length of time you should wait before filling your pool is dependent on how hot it is outside. Wait time is as follows—
- 3 days at 75°-80° F
- 4 days at 70°-75° F
- 5 days at 65°-70° F
- 6 days at 60°-65° F
Application Life: Up to 8 years
POXOLON 2 (epoxy)
Roller: Use a 9” roller cover with a solvent resistant core.
Recommended Primer: Poxoprime II which is compatible with wet surfaces.
Application: While coating, use firm and even strokes with plenty of product soaked into the roller (with a solvent resistant core, ideally). Make sure there is plenty in the roller so that the coating gets squeezed into the porous surface to ensure quality adhesion. This paint will mill most likely require a second coat—apply when first coat is dry enough to walk on without marring the surface. The second coat will provide better coverage and will apply quicker than the previous one.
Coverage: 225-250 square feet per gallon
Curing Schedule: Same as for Zeron paint (see above)
Application Life: Up to 5 years
NOTE: On epoxy coatings like the Zelon and Poxolon II systems, you can add a sprinkling of white sand or marble dust onto the steps, shallow areas, and wading pools for extra traction/slip resistance. Just add a little before the final coat dries completely.
PARALON II & OPTILON (rubber base)
Since the stats for each are nearly identical, we’ll combine the info for these two into one post. The only difference between the two is that the Paralon II is a chlorinated rubber when dry and the Optilon is a synthetic rubber.
Roller: For best coverage, use a 9” roller with 7/16” nap with a solvent resistant core.
Recommended Primer: Primer is not necessary for either of these coatings as the formulas are self-priming. Just make sure your surface is completely dry before proceeding. Water trapped under the new film will eventually result in unwanted blistering as evaporating water tries to escape.
Application: Rubber-based finishes require two coats for best results. If the surface is bare, thin the first coat 25% with No. 1108 solvent or xylol/xylene (can be purchased at paint supply or hardware stores). Apply the first coat in smooth, even strokes. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying a second. If you thinned the first coat, DO NOT thin the second. Note: it is always best to start and finish a coat in a corner to prevent roller marks.
Coverage: 250 square feet per gallon
Curing Schedule: On average, rubber-base coatings take 5 days minimum to completely cure
Application Life: Up to 3 years
HYDROLON (acrylic)
Roller: 9” with 7/16” nap and solvent resistant core. Can also be used with an airless paint sprayer.
Recommended Primer: None required. Just make sure to clean off any existing loose coating before applying. Surface may be damp. Goes over any rubber-base finish.
Application: Avoid coating the surface in direct sunlight of a sunny day or if the surface temperature of your pool is below 50 F°. Coat at least twice—coats dry quickly so make sure you work quickly and use even strokes. If you’re working with a particularly porous surface, a third coat may be necessary.
Coverage: 250-300 square feet per gallon
Curing Schedule: 3 days at 65°F average temperature
Application Life: Up to 3 years
Happy painting! In case you missed it, be sure to read our two previous blog posts to help you with your pool DIY:
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