APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS - Pool Solutions - …

1 (Updated 13/09/2017). APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS . BACKGROUND. Pool Solutions offers a tough pool epoxy primer with a gloss protective topcoat epoxy in various colours. epoxy coatings are easy to maintain and offer long-lasting protection against algae and staining when applied on marble plaster, fibreglass, cement-plaster or concrete surfaces. The product is engineered to specifically offer qualities like acid and chlorine resistance when using HTH products and normal pool acid in recommended dosages. (Please see the notes on after-care (page 7) and take note of some of the products that have reportedly caused staining of the epoxy coat.) Our guarantee requirements are indicated on the last two pages. _____. IMPORTANT. Maintaining the correct PH, alkalinity and Total Hardness levels will ensure longer lifespan of the product.

2 Please have your swimming pool water tested after filling the swimming pool. Test especifically for CALSIUM. HARDNESS or Total Hardness as well as Alkalinity. Low Hardness below 300ppm and Alkalinity below 100ppm may cause more excessive chalking of the epoxy layer and reduce the lifespan. Low calcium levels may have been the culprit causing pitting and deterioration of your existing swimming pool surface. Ensure Calcium Hardness is between 350-500 ppm and Alkalinity 100-150ppm. Keep pH between for best results. For guarantee purposes please refer to pages 7,9 and 10 of this document. _____. * Note for fibreglass surfaces: Fibreglass pool linings can be coated with this product. For fibreglass pools ignore the notes applicable to the cleaning and repair of the mosaic tiles and the grinding of marble plaster.

3 Fibreglass surfaces should be solid, crack-free and should not have formed bubbles etc. Start with the APPLICATION of the Primer coat after thoroughly scourging the fibreglass surface by hand with P60 grit sand paper and following the rest of this installation manual. _____. Online help videos are available at : NB: NEVER DILUTE THE SUPPLIED PRODUCT WITH WATER, SOLVENTS OR PAINT THINNERS. (Any thinning will compromise the quality and mix ratio of the product with unpredictable results). SHORT OVERVIEW (please study the rest of this document thoroughly). There are two possible ways of APPLICATION that can be followed: Long method (4-5 days). If you are working alone or have limited help available with a relatively large swimming pool, follow the safer route with our normal 4-5 day process.

4 Day 1: Used for the preparation of the pool surface and is done with 230mm grinders and flexible P16 fibre discs mounted on a rubber backing disc to grind the surface to a clean, solid finish and removing all chemicals and algae from the substrate. If cracks or pitted areas are to be repaired, this may extend the process into a following day. Optionally a PCT56 water barrier can be applied if high water tables are suspected around swimming pool. Day2: A saturating primer coat is applied. While this primer coat is still damp, after +/-30-60min, a first top-coat is applied to bond or fuse with the sticky primer. (allow 2 hours during lower, winter temperatures below 18 C). Day 3: Sand the hardened, glossy epoxy coat to create a strong inter-layer bond and apply a second top-coat.

5 Leave to dry overnight. Sanding of any dried, glossy layer is very important. Day 4: Sand the glossy second top-coat thoroughly again and apply the final top coat. (4-5days in total), 4-layers applied. (Note, In winter time below 15 C, allow a day in between top coat applications ). Please Note: Sometimes, experienced applicators can apply thicker layers evenly at a time and might be able to use all the Topcoat product provided in only two topcoat layer applications . As long as most of the Topcoat product provided for your size swimming pool have been used, the total, dried coating thickness will be within specifications to ensure a long lifespan ( ). Quick method (2-3 days). In summer times, if you are confident that you can manage the whole process on one day with no possibility for rain, you may consider the quicker method.

6 Visit for more detail regarding the quicker method. Note: Follow the longer method during colder temperatures below 20 C). For a better smooth finish and/or less risk of teardrops running in the wet paint, follow the longer method. Page 1. Day 1: Follow the exact same steps as indicated under point 1 under the longer method. Day 2: Follow the steps as indicated under Day 2 of the longer method above. Wait approximately 60-90 minutes after APPLICATION of the first top-coat layer. While the fist epoxy layers are still damp/tacky (60-90 min. test with touching), apply a second Top-coat layer (3rd epoxy layer) using Mowhair or other short-pile rollers marked for enamel paints, fitted to extension or telescopic extension poles. Walk around the pool to apply the epoxy paint without entering into the swimming pool.

7 Alternatively, you can perform this task by entering the pool on spiked paint shoes. After 60-90 minutes after APPLICATION of the second top-coat layer (3rd epoxy layer) while the epoxy is still damp/tacky, apply the last and 4th epoxy top-coat layer using the extension poles or spiked shoes as indicated. While applying each coat with rollers, another helper should use a paint brush to paint along the bottom line of the mosaic tiles and around other mosaic patterns etc. You will need to enter the pool the next day on bare feet and inspect/feel the surface to remove any sharp points with a blade and/or sanding paper. _____. DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR LONGER METHOD. _____. INSPECTION OF THE POOL SURFACE. The epoxy coat is targeted as a gloss , enamel decorative layer to restore the appearance of the swimming pool and reduce the maintenance effort.

8 The epoxy layer will not strengthen the structure, prevent cracking of the underlying surface or necessarily stop leaks. The underlying fibreglass lining or plaster surface must be strong, hard and solid to support the paint layer. Tap the plastered pool plaster surface to ensure that there are no brittleness or pieces breaking loose. Such areas should be repaired before applying the epoxy paint. Fibreglass linings should be repaired if there are cracks or bubbles using a proper fibreglass repair kit. On plastered pools, check for wet spots penetrating through the structure from outside the swimming pool due to high water tables, porosity, cavities or cracks in the concrete shell. Do not apply the paint on a damp/wet surface or damp spots. Wet spots can be drilled or grinded open to allow water to freely flow into the swimming pool until the spot becomes completely dry.

9 This can take several days or even longer. Water inflow problems can in some cases be stopped using products available from or similar products. Inspect the pool structure for osmotic pressure from outside On a small percentage of swimming pools, we have found that slow penetrating osmotic water pressure from outside the swimming pool may result in small bubbles forming in the coating afterwards. To prevent this, test for potential osmotic pressure. See our online help videos available at Grind a cross-hatched pattern (1-2cm deep) through the marblite layer or plaster down to the concrete layer (+/- 5cm x 5cm area). Chip the area out to create an inspection hole. This can be done preferably on the vertical side of the steps and at the bottom of the deep end.

10 Test with fingers and visual inspection for dampness inside the structure. If dampness is detected, treat the pool surface with a water barrier like PCT56 water repellent at least a day before applying the epoxy paint. PCT56 can be ordered from us or is available at certain hardware outlets. The spread rate for PCT56 is +/- 7-8m /L. PCT56 can be sprayed onto the surface with normal household sprayer nozzles or using a pesticide garden sprayer pump or rollers. Sand the surface slightly the next day with a P80 sandpaper before applying the epoxy primer layer. Inspection holes can be filled up again with Underwater Pool Patching, cement plaster or marblite. Use PCT56 as a search term on Google Search for more information. Newly plastered surfaces New swimming pools constructed with concrete and cement plaster, should be treated with PCT56 water barrier as a standard precaution.