If you’ve just installed a concrete pool in your backyard, you probably can’t wait to use it. But before you do, it’s essential to make it look its best with a fresh coat of pool paints. With several different paint options available, however, it’s challenging to determine which one is best.
The three most commonly used paints for concrete pools are rubber, acrylic, and epoxy pool paint. However, each option has its unique pros and cons, making beginner pool owners wonder which is best for their pool.
This guide will look at which paint works best on concrete, why pool-specific paint matters, how pool paint is superior to regular paint, and what you should know before attempting DIY pool painting.
What’s the Best Swimming Pool Paint?
The ideal paint for your pool largely depends on the pool’s material and whether you’re reapplying a coat or adding fresh paint to a bare surface.
Pool manufacturers recommend sticking with the original coat if you’re reapplying pool paint. Otherwise, the new paint might not adhere to the initial coat, leading to an expensive mess with minimal results.
However, if you’re painting on bare concrete, your options narrow down to one: epoxy pool paint. The other popular options, rubber and acrylic pool paint, are thin materials that produce a pebble-like texture on a rough concrete plaster pool surface. On the other hand, epoxy is durable enough to coat concrete and leave a smooth finish.
What Is Epoxy Pool Paints?
Epoxy pool paint is a solvent-based paint, standard for concrete, gunite, and fiberglass pools. Epoxy’s biggest advantage over other pool paints is the way its robust material withstands rugged wear and tear.
Specifically, most high-quality epoxy pool paints last five years with regular use and without proper maintenance. However, if you treat your pool well and reapply a coat once the original epoxy begins chipping, epoxy pool paint will last decades without noticeable damage or fading.
In addition to the lasting appeal, epoxy paints are highly resistant to algae and mold growth, so even if you go longer than recommended without cleaning your pool, epoxy will help you keep it clean. Epoxy pool paint comes in several colors and is strong at covering cracks and structural damage.
What’s the Difference Between Pool Paint and Regular Paint?
Before you attempt painting your pool, it’s vital to know that using regular acrylic paint over pool-specific paint won’t provide lasting results worth the time to apply.
Unlike epoxy, acrylic paints are too thin to coat over imperfections, so cracks and dents in your pool’s surface will remain visible even after the paint has dried. Additionally, because acrylic paints are thin, they will wear down quicker with frequent pool use and will likely need replacing after a few years.
Regular paint will give your pool a colorful finish, but that vibrant splash won’t last long. Epoxy pool paint is the best option to give your beloved outdoor home fixture the lasting aesthetic boost it deserves.
Is Epoxy Paint Good for Concrete Pools?
We’ve looked at several reasons why epoxy pool paint is an excellent fit for concrete pools. But, of course, there are drawbacks as well. The most significant negative factor is that it is the most labor-intensive and time-consuming pool paint to apply.
Though you’ll end up with at least five years of lasting epoxy paint, you’ll spend as much as a week coating the pool’s surface and waiting for the paint to dry. Additionally, epoxy is slightly less slip-resistant than its counterparts. If you don’t mind the risk and you have adequate patience, epoxy is the best pool paint material you’ll find.
Conclusions
Painting your pool’s surface with a high-quality coat of paint enhances the pool’s aesthetic with a vibrant coating that’s smooth to the touch and resists algae growth for years. However, only the best epoxy pool paint will provide the greatest benefits. While epoxy paint takes longer to apply than other popular options, it offers a range of unique perks you won’t find with any alternative.
Every pool paint offers as many benefits as epoxy; however, not every epoxy pool paint supplier offers high-quality products worthy of the investment you’ve put in your pool. So, for the highest quality epoxy pool paint that hides and resists cracks, provides a smooth finish that lasts up to 15 years, and will not fade for over a decade, look no further than AquaGuard 5000. Our epoxy pool paint comes in several vibrant colors that will enhance the appearance of your pool and protect it from algae and structural damage for years.
AquaGuard 5000 has brought out the best in thousands of pools across the country. To learn more about our products or receive a free quote, call today at (772) 758-2370.