Preparation

• 1). Determine the kind of paint already on the pool. Epoxy Paint cannot go on rubber or acrylic and rubber cannot go on epoxy or acrylic. Acrylic can go on anything. Buy the kind of paint you need.
  
  
• 2). Drain the entire pool.
  
  
• 3). Power wash the pool. Scrape loose paint off and power wash again.
  
  
• 4). Chip away loose cement. Caulk any cracks and fill in divots with hydraulic cement.
  
  
• 5). Dilute acid to 50 percent (if not already) and scrub entire pool. This is important for getting paint to adhere, but keep in mind that muriatic acid is dangerous to work with. Wear safety glasses and rubber gloves.
  
  
• 6). Rinse pool again. Avoid using power washer in this step because it will cause acid to spray around.
  
  
• 7). Wash pool with TSP detergent. Drain pool and rinse repeatedly. No trace of TSP or acid can be left or paint will not stick to the pool.
  
  
• 8). Dry all water in skimmers and dry any standing water with sponges and a leaf blower. Allow pool to dry for three to five days.
  
  

Painting

• 1). Check forecast to make sure it isn’t going to rain for at least five days. If temperatures are going to exceed 90F or will be less than 40F do not paint. Also do not paint if humidity will be high. These will cause paint to peel off as soon as it dries.
  
  
• 2). Tape tile band, fittings, drains and lights so not to get paint on or in them.
  
  
• 3). Mix paint using the power drill with paddle mixer for at least five minutes.
  
  
• 4). Apply paint with roller brush. Start in deep end of pool and work your way toward shallow end (Otherwise you’ll find yourself trapped in the deep end). If applying another coat of paint, wait four to five hours.
  
  
• 5). Allow five to seven days for paint to cure. If it rains during this process, dry pool with sponges and leaf blower and add one day to cure process. After cure process it is safe to refill pool.