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Everything you should consider before painting your pool

Rebecca Wolken
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Some tasks can be quickly taken on in an afternoon, while others weigh on your shoulders. Sometimes this weight is because of the size of the project, while other times, it’s because you’re not sure what to do. Today we’re going to help you tackle a project you might be putting off. We’ll talk about why you might want to paint your pool, what you should consider before starting, and how to get started.

Why you might need to paint your pool

One of the main reasons pool owners want to paint their pool is that the original paint is no longer viable. It might be chipping, or the color has faded to an ugly sunburnt shade. Another reason might be simply because of aesthetics. Perhaps your style has changed, or it’s a new home and you don’t like the style the last homeowners chose. Either way, it’s time to repaint the pool. Lastly, you might need to repaint your pool because the integrity of the pool requires repair, so you’ll need to patch the paint anyway.

in ground pool with chair
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What to consider before painting your pool

Before jumping right in, there are a few things you should consider before repainting your pool. This is a big project, and to set yourself up for success, you’ll want to have everything planned out to ensure it runs as smoothly as it can.

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Time of year

If you want to repaint your pool, but you’re about to head into the rainy season, you might want to reconsider. A pool will need to stay dry and clear of debris for a long while during the painting process, and if there’s a chance you might get rain, you’ll want to reschedule.

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What color to paint

This might seem elementary, but choosing your color way ahead of time can alleviate any anxiety you have about choosing the right color. If you wait until the day before to decide which shade of blue you’re going with, you might not have time to think about it and end up regretting it. The last thing you want to do after painting your pool is to have to repaint it.

Gathering supplies

Nothing slows a project down like a run to the hardware store. Check and recheck your list of supplies and be extra sure that you have everything you need. You might even want to buy double of some things to ensure you have what you need when you need it. If you save the receipts, you’ll likely be able to return it if you don’t use it. Better to be safe than sorry.

Clean, clean, clean

For the best results, you’ll want that pool as clean as you can get it. So while it might be tempting to rush through the cleaning steps, we strongly urge you to resist and deep clean your pool before painting it.

Protective gear

Luckily, painting a pool often means you’ll be outside, so the fumes of the paint won’t be as big of an issue as they are when inside. However, getting pool paint all over your clothes and skin and possibly your eyes isn’t ideal. Be sure to wear protective clothing and maybe even safety glasses to protect your eyes. There are many chemicals in paint, and it’s best to avoid them as much as possible.

feet in a pool
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to paint your pool

You now have all your supplies, and you’ve chosen a color that you’re really excited about. It’s time to start painting.

  1. Drain the pool.
  2. Scrape any chipping or loose paint.
  3. Fix any repairs like cracks or dips in the surface of the pool.
  4. Wash the pool thoroughly.
  5. Place protective painter’s tape over any lights or decorative items you don’t want to get paint on.
  6. Mix your paint really well.
  7. Start in the deep end, so you don’t get trapped and paint yourself in a corner.
  8. Start painting.
  9. Remove tape from fixtures in the pool.
  10. Leave to dry at least 3 to 5 days before refilling.

While this project is simplified to “ten easy steps,” this project is by no means easy. It’s time-consuming, hard on your body, and it can be really hot, depending on the time of year. So take the time to prepare and plan, get a friend to help if you can, and be really sure you like that color before you paint!

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Rebecca Wolken
Rebecca Wolken
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rebecca's has written for Bob Villa and a Cincinnati based remodeling company. When she's not writing about home remodeling…
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