Preparation

For Comprehensive Surface Preparation prior to using Epotec, see the Painting Specification pages by using the drop down menu, in Epotec section, above.

Concrete, plaster and all other surfaces must be clean, dry and sound before coating. Such surfaces must be free from hydrostatic water movement, (i.e. seeping ground water).

1. New Concrete Pool

• Ensure concrete is at least 28 days old.



• To make sure no oil or grease of any kind remains on the surface, wash down with detergent and stiff brush. Hose down thoroughly until all detergent has been removed. Use a waterblaster if possible, it is more efficient than hosing.



• Acid etch entire area to be painted and rinse thoroughly. (See Acid Etching - procedure).



• Allow all surfaces to dry thoroughly.

2. Old Unpainted Concrete or Concrete Plastered Pool

• Scrub surfaces with a stiff bristled brush and detergent solution, paying attention to the top 300mm of sides to remove all traces of body fats etc…



• Hose down thoroughly to remove detergent. Use a waterblaster if possible, it is more efficient than hosing.



• Acid etch the entire area to be painted and rinse thoroughly. (See Acid Etching - Procedure).



• Allow to dry.

3. Previously Painted Concrete / Concrete Plastered Pool

1. Thoroughly clean entire pool by scrubbing with detergent solution or preferably waterblast using detergent solution.



2. Remove all loose, flaking and degraded paint by machine grinding, or sanding, the total pool surface (use course grit pad - 40/60 grit or courser grit as required). Remove ALL paint if not considered sound. Consult CTL Technical Services Department if unsure.



3. Clean and remove all sanding debris by scrubbing with detergent solution followed by clean, fresh water. Again pay particular attention to the top 300 mm of walls.
   
   
4. Where concrete or concrete plaster exposed by grinding, these be acid etched and rinsed thoroughly, - (see acid etching - procedure).



5. Allow to dry.

4. Concrete Block Pool

Prepare surfaces as for concrete pool (painted or unpainted). New pools should have a 28 day curing period for the mortar joints and/or plaster, prior to painting.

5. Fibreglass Pool

• Abrade by machine disc sanding, the entire pool surface to be painted, paying particular attention to all discoloured and degraded surfaces. Finished surface should be an evenly roughened matt surface all over the pool. Any missed areas will result in surface blistering of the Epotec High Build Epoxy.



• Repair any surface irregularities with a suitable epoxy filler, then scrub down with detergent and water using a stiff bristled brush or waterblaster.



• Thoroughly rinse off all detergent with clean, fresh water and allow to dry.

6. Acid Etching - Procedure

Laitence is fine cement powder which floats to the surface of all poured concrete work. Coatings applied over laitence will come loose from the substrate resulting in a failure.

Acid Etching is one way of ensuring the removal of Laitence. It also has two other benefits which are important to the sound adhesion of any coating: a) it ensures a roughened surface while at the same time b) neutralising any excess alkalia which may be present.

Acid etch solution is not effective as a cleaner or paint remover and will have no lasting effect on coatings generally used in swimming pools if rinsed off quickly. Concrete Etch Solution should be used strictly according to the instructions set out below. Applicators should ALWAYS wear protective rubber gloves, apron, boots and goggles, and exercise care not to splash the liquid. If skin contact is made, rinse off immediately with clean, fresh water. Containers for acid etch solution should always be plastic or rubber.

Pouring the acid onto the surface does not give uniform coverage. Spreading with a broom dipped in the solution, or spreading with a fine nozzle plastic watering can is the best way of applying the solution. Coverage should be approximately 2M2 per litre and the solution should be left on the surface until all foaming ceases. Repeat application on areas where bubbling still occurs. Note: If bubbling still occurs after second application, consult CTL's Technical Services Department. DO NOT ALLOW THE CONCRETE ETCH SOLUTION TO DRY ON THE SURFACE. If this occurs, in hot weather etc., flood area with water and rinse.

Next hose and flood with an excess of water, pushing the water to a drain with a stiff bristled broom. Under adverse drying conditions, such as low temperature or high humidity, longer periods must be allowed for the surface to dry. Ideally the surface to be painted should be even and have the texture of fine sandpaper.