(Using Luxapool Epoxy Pool Coating)
SURFACE PREPARATION
1. Empty the pool and using a stiff brush or broom, scrub the entire surface with diluted LUXAPOOL Concentrated Wash(mixed at a ratio of 500mL Concentrated Wash to 20L of warm water). This removes greasy contaminants such as sun creams, oils, body fats, etc. Pay particular attention to step areas and corners where oil accumulation may occur. Upon completion thoroughly rinse the pool with clean water to remove all traces of LUXAPOOL Concentrated Wash. Allow to dry thoroughly.
2. In some cases fibreglass pools may be covered with a whitish surface deposit. This deposit is normally calcification [a build-up of calcium on the pool surface]. This deposit must be removed prior to abrading the pool surface. Soaking with Hydrochloric Acid or Muriatic Acid applied with a plastic watering can, and agitated with a nylon broom will generally remove such deposits.
3. All suspect areas of the fibreglass surface must be repaired with a suitable fibreglass repair kit prior to final sanding. Pay particular attention to any sections that appear as blisters, or are otherwise raised from the surface as these will likely become a source of coating failure if not rectified.
4. The surface of the pool must be abraded using 20 to 40 grit sanding discs, belt sanders or angle grinders. Be careful so as to only completely ‘dull’ the whole surface without cutting into the existing laminate below the gel coat. The resulting surface should have a sandpapery feel so as to ensure the best possible mechanical key for the new epoxy coating.
Alternatively FRP surfaces may be abraded by ‘whip blasting’ techniques, but only if undertaken by experienced abrasive blasting contractors. This may utilise wet or dry process as local regulations may allow.
Water blasting is NOT an adequate alternative surface preparation technique.
Failure to abrade the existing coating thoroughly can result in adhesive failure of the new epoxy coating.
5. Remove all sanding residues by vacuuming or brooming, with collection in a dust pan. Then hose the pool thoroughly to remove last traces of fine dust. Allow all surfaces to dry thoroughly before proceeding to painting
6. The surface is now prepared for application with LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating.
PAINTING THE POOL
WARNING: do not add any substances to LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating as any addition will result in loss of optimum performance. USE ONLY AS INSTRUCTED.
Application at low temperatures (less than 15°C) can result in accelerated chalking of the coating. As such, it is recommended that application of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating be performed during mid/late Spring, Summer and early Autumn.
1. Prior to painting, check the weather forecast. A minimum of three consecutive rain free days are necessary for the painting process. The incidence of rain during the painting process may discolour the coating or cause paint failure which will require additional surface preparation before successive coats can be applied. Defer commencement of the painting process if rain is expected within 3 days.
2. Check that the batch numbers on all Part A cans are identical and also confirm that all Part B cans are either all Summer or all Winter hardener. This is to ensure uniformity of colour on your pool. Batch numbers can be found on the barcode label on the front of every Part A can.
3. Keep the paint cool (less than 25°C) prior to use as elevated starting temperature will reduce the workable pot-life to as short as 20 minutes. Keep paint cans out of direct sunlight on hot days.
4. It is recommended to apply between 8 am and 11 am. Do not apply later than this time as evening dew can cause water spotting or blooming, which will affect the adhesion of the paint causing failure.
In mid-summer, paint as early as possible in the day and ideally protect the coating from direct sunlight by shading. This is particularly important in the first 3 to 6 hours of cure.
Do not apply LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating if the temperature is below 10°C or above 30°C or is likely to be so during the first 3-6 hours after application. Damage to the coating may result if application is performed outside of this temperature range or in direct sunlight.
5. Mix the LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating by adding the Part B hardener to the Part A base and stirring thoroughly with a clean, flat stirring stick. Stirring 300 times around by hand is a good guide. ALWAYS MIX AND USE WHOLE PACKS. NEVER USE PART PACKS.
Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes induction time, then remix and use immediately. Only mix one pack at a time and apply within one hour from the start of mixing.
Failure to mix the two parts thoroughly will result in the paint not curing properly. Paint that is still wet and tacky after 4-6 hours has not been mixed correctly and will not cure.
6. Cut in at the tile line of the pool with a brush, and use a roller for application to all other surfaces. Do not apply thin coats of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating as an overspread coating will wear faster.
Coverage of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating is approximately 20-25m2 per 3.5L pack per coat.
When applying allow the painted area to stand for approximately 10-15 minutes after application and then note whether any bubbling of the film has occurred. The existence of bubbles is generally due to entrapment of air within the surface (once painted) which rise due to expansion from heat. This can be minimized greatly by utilising a protective shade-cloth. Avoiding all bubbles is impossible, however minimising their numbers is achievable.
If many small bubbles have appear within the first 10-15 minutes of painting they can be eliminated by lightly draping a wet roller (not loaded) over the surface. It is important to only lightly touch the paint surface as this bursts the bubbles allowing the resulting crater to flow and re-form into a uniform film.
7. The pool requires a minimum of two coats of LUXAPOOL, and sometimes three, in order to achieve a minimum dry film thickness of 400–450 microns. Achieving the correct total dry film thickness is critical to long-term durability of the finished coating.
After application of each coat, allow a minimum of 20 and no more than 24 hours cure time prior to applying the next coat. The surface must be dry before recoating.
Any milky discolouration (bloom) caused by unpredicted rain, evening dew, or high humidity should be thoroughly removed by abrasion with a medium-grade sanding paper (40-60 grit) prior to application of the next coat.
If more than 24 hours has elapsed between coats it is necessary to thoroughly abrade the entire pool surface to a dull finish and remove all sanding dust prior to application of the epoxy.
8. The longer a pool is allowed to dry prior to filling the better the ultimate coating quality and longevity. ALWAYS allow the coating to dry at least 10 DAYS IN SUMMER, and 14 DAYS IN WINTER, prior to filling the pool. If a coating has not had adequate drying time and is filled prematurely its colour will be damaged. This is seen as cloudy, uneven colour distribution on the last coat. DO NOT add chemicals for at least 3-5 days.
9. Maintain the coating and pool chemistry to in accordance with our GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR POOL CARE to maximise the wearing life of your coating.
Note: Luxapool Epoxy Pool coating exhibit outstanding chalking resistance in immersion applications. However, they are not designed to be applied above the waterline. Where the fibreglass structure extends above the waterline, then an alternative coating system must be used. Epoxy coatings exposed to direct sunlight can exhibit severe chalking in a matter of weeks. For trafficable surfaces e.g pool surrounds, we recommend the use of Luxapool Poolside and Paving.
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