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If your inground pool surface is starting to have stains, cracks, blisters, or fading, a fresh coat of pool paint could be just what you need. New paint on your walls and floor can completely refresh and renew the look of your pool, as well as extend its life. DIY pool painting is a cost-effective and straightforward process that can save you lots of money, especially when compared to the price of plastering or resurfacing a pool. Our handy step-by-step guide to painting a pool explains the process from start to finish, so that you can get the job done right.
Choose the Right Type of Pool Paint
The first thing to consider in the pool painting process is the type of pool paint that the job will require. Doheny’s offers three types of pool paint: epoxy, rubber-based, and acrylic. Choosing the best pool paint depends on your pool’s surface material and previous coatings. Test the existing coating to determine the type of pool paint used previously and use the same type of coating to repaint the pool.
Compare Pool Paint Options
| Feature | Epoxy | Rubber-Based | Acrylic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Epoxy Polyamide (2-part) | Synthetic Rubber (1-part) | Acrylic Latex (1-part) |
| Finish | Satin | Gloss | Matte |
| Durability | Up to 8 years | Up to 4 years | Up to 2 years |
| Best For | Concrete, plaster, fiberglass, or previously epoxy-coated pools | Previously painted rubber surfaces (not fiberglass) | Most surfaces; can be applied to damp pools; fast turnaround |
| Recoat Window | 16–72 hrs (sand after 72 hrs) | Overnight to 24 hrs (sand after 72 hrs) | 4 hrs |
| Dry Time (Outdoor) | 5–7 days | 5–7 days | 3 days |
| Ease of Use | Intermediate–Advanced | Moderate | Beginner-Friendly |
+ View Technical Specifications
Epoxy Pool Paint
High film build epoxy pool paint is a highly durable type of pool paint, with two-coat systems lasting up to eight years. Epoxies cure to a hard, non-porous finish and are resistant to pool chemicals and UV rays. The best surfaces to use epoxy pool paint on include unpainted concrete, plaster, gunite, or fiberglass pools, or for pools that have previously been painted with epoxy. Our Doheny’s High Build Epoxy paint’s self-priming, 3:1 mix ratio makes the application super simple so you can do-it-yourself!
Rubber-Based Pool Paint
Rubber-based pool paint is typically best used to coat previously painted synthetic or chlorinated rubber surfaces. Do not use it on fiberglass pools. Rubber-based pool paints cure to a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Doheny’s Synthetic Rubber boasts a brilliant self-priming gloss finish, making it a great option for upgrading your pool’s aesthetic. With up to four years of service life and excellent coverage rates, this paint will make your pool look and feel brand new.
Acrylic Pool Paint
Acrylic pool paint is very simple to use and can be applied to damp surfaces, previously painted acrylic, chlorinated rubber, and synthetic rubber surfaces. Acrylic paint dries in just three days, and will last about two years. Doheny’s Acrylic Pool Coating has a self-priming formula that offers UV resistance and excellent color retention for a look that will last! The clean up is simple as well - just some soap and water - making it a very beginner-friendly option.
Primer
All Doheny in pool coatings are self-priming. No separate primer is needed. Use two coats of the finish for two coat applications.
Determine How Much Pool Paint You Need
You don’t want to run out of paint in the middle of the job, or buy way too much and overspend, so start by figuring out the square footage of your entire pool (all surfaces to be painted). Divide that number by the square footage per gallon that your particular type of paint will cover. This is the number of gallons you need to purchase. We recommend purchasing at least one extra gallon, just in case.
Use our handy calculator to easily determine your pool’s square footage!
If you would like to do it manually, use the formulas below to calculate the basic square footage of a few standard pool shapes. Calculating actual square footage to be painted will provide better material estimates. The formulas below make assumptions on wall height and are meant as a general guide.
Square Footage Formulas by Pool Type
| Pool Type | Square Footage Formula |
|---|---|
| Rectangle & Oval Pools | Length x Width x 1.65 = Total Square Feet |
| Lazy "L" | Length x Width x 1.5 = Total Square Feet |
| Free-Form | Length x Width x 1.6 = Total Square Feet |
Gather Your Materials
For a smooth painting process, you will need the following materials:
- • Submersible pump • Garden hose • Scrub brush • TSP and muriatic acid or Clean & Prep Solution • ⅜ inch nap roller and extension pole • Paint roller pan or 5-gallon bucket with grid • Painter’s tape • Brushes for painting edges and corners • #80 Grit Sandpaper (fiberglass pools only) • Pool paint
Check the Weather
When you are ready to start painting your pool, it is important to find a time when you have at least a week where the temperature doesn't go below 50° F or above 90° F, and no rain is forecasted. Proper weather conditions are crucial when painting a swimming pool to ensure even drying and adhesion. You need your pool to be completely dry when you start painting unless you are using acrylic paint. Also, consider whether there has been a lot of rain recently, as you risk floating your pool if you drain it when the water table is too high.
Drain Your Pool
Before you can prepare your pool surfaces for paint, you need to safely drain the entire pool using a submersible pump. Open the hydrostatic relief valves at the bottom of the pool to avoid floating it.
Prepare Your Pool for Paint
- Start by scraping away any loose or flaking paint. Then repair any cracks or divots in the pool surfaces. Allow all patching materials to fully dry/cure. New concrete and plaster surfaces must be cured for 28 days prior to painting.
- To clean and etch the surface of your pool, scrub the pool with trisodium phosphate (TSP), followed by an acid wash with diluted muriatic acid, and rinse again with TSP. Consider using Ramuc Clean & Prep to prepare your pool surfaces. Rinse thoroughly. This product allows you to clean and etch the pool in one step, instead of following the traditional three-step process.
- If you are painting a fiberglass pool, it does not require etching. Instead, sand the entire pool with coarse sandpaper and then clean it with TSP.
- Pump out all of the remaining water from the pool, using a shop vac or towels to get the last of it. Let the pool dry completely.
- Use painter’s tape to tape up the lights, tiles, and fittings.
Paint the Pool
- The pool is prepped and completely dry, and you are ready to paint! Mix paint thoroughly before beginning. Follow all label directions for mixing and personal protection equipment. Start in the deep end and work your way to the shallow end. Use your ⅜ inch nap roller with extension pole to reach all the way up the pool walls. Use brushes to cut in the edges and corners. Work carefully and quickly, applying even pressure as you go. Be sure to monitor how much paint you are using to avoid running out. Keep your pool deck clean with a leaf blower throughout the process to avoid debris sticking in the wet paint. Doheny’s High Build Epoxy has a pot life of 8 hours. Only mix enough material that can be applied within the pot life period.
- Doheny’s paints require two coats. Be sure to wait for the recommended amount of time before applying the second coat. Drying times may vary slightly based on the temperature, humidity, and wind.
- Allow the paint to dry/cure completely, follow all label directions. Check the label instructions to determine the drying time for your specific paint. If you get any rain during this time, remove the water as quickly as possible and allow extra time for drying. Remove painter’s tape. Filling the pool too soon is a leading cause of pool coating failures. Err to the long side.
Fill the Pool & Enjoy!
After your pool has dried completely and you have replaced the hydrostatic relief valves, it's time to add water. Refill the pool using one or two garden hoses and balance the water chemistry. Start with pH, alkalinity, and hardness, then start the filter system and add chlorine tabs. Follow with chlorine stabilizer. A freshly painted swimming pool not only looks fantastic but also adds a protective layer to extend the pool’s lifespan. Regular maintenance and proper water chemistry will help preserve your pool paint for years to come.
Your freshly painted pool looks great and is ready for swimmers! Admire your handy work with friends and family as you relax in your revitalized backyard oasis.
