Pool Cleaner Blog

The 8 Best Pool Paint ( Oct 2019 ) Reviews | Concrete, Brand | UPDATED

UPDATED: Nov 01, 2019.

If your pool paint is chalking, blistering, or bubbling, it’s time to get it repainted. New paint can transform the overall look of your pool. But to do that, you are going to need the best paint, of course. Choosing cheap paint might not only bring the beautiful, glossy look that you want but might also wear out quickly. This guide will help find out what is the best pool paint on the market for a concrete pool.

At a Glance: The 8 Best Pool Paint Discussed in Our Roundup:

  • Pond Armor SKU-CBLUE-QT-R Epoxy Paint (Top Pick)
  • COMPLEMENTARY COATINGS Pool Paint (Top Rated)
  • Olympic Zeron Epoxy Pool Coating Gallon (Editor Choice)
  • In The Swim CRC Chlorinated Rubber Pool Paint
  • In The Swim Super Poxy Shield Epoxy Pool Paint
  • RUST-OLEUM 260542 Pool Paint
  • AdCoat Swimming Pool Paint
  • StoneTech Salt Water Resistant Sealer

Here Are The Best-Selling Pool Paint in 2019 – UPDATED

If – because of the overabundance of the options available on the market – you’re having trouble choosing the best paint, check out these best paints we have handpicked after doing extensive research and considering our readers’ feedback:

1. Pond Armor SKU-CBLUE-QT-R Non-Toxic Pond Shield Epoxy Paint

Pros

  • It doesn’t have an odor like usual epoxy paints
  • Very easy to spread
  • Dries fast

Cons

  • The instruction manual is not user-friendly

Pod shield was originally designed for waterproof coating but it can be used on any water containment unit, even a swimming pool. A single coat will be adequate and your pool will become maintenance free. It can bond to porous and abraded materials like stone, metal, concrete, and wood very easily.

The paint is non-toxic and it’s even safe for fish and plants. Once you have coated your pool with Pond shield epoxy paint, you can say goodbye to cracks.

2. COMPLEMENTARY COATINGS RP2720092-01 INSL-X Black Rubber-Based Swimming Pool Paint

Pros

  • Resists fading, abrasions, and alkalis
  • Leaves a satin finish
  • It’s recommended for commercial and residential use

Cons

  • Watch out for shipping mishandling

It’s a rubber-based pool paint formulated to provide a low sheen and a durable finish. It can be used to paint both commercial and residential concrete pools, chlorinated pools, and salt water pools. Don’t hesitate in applying it over chlorinated rubber paint or synthetic paint.

One gallon quantity can easily cover 400-500 square feet.

3. Olympic Zeron Epoxy Pool Coating Gallon – Bikini Blue

Pros

  • Drying time is less than 24 hours
  • It has a shiny finish
  • Very easy to apply so you will be done with the job faster

Cons

  • It makes the surface slippery

Olympic Zeron Epoxy Pool Coating Gallon produces a non-porous ceramic-like finish. You can apply the paint using airless spray equipment or a paint roller. This will protect your swimming pool surface along with making it look new.

Plus, it’s less sensitive to pool water chemicals. No wonder it can last for up to 8 years. It’s very easy to apply, you can also ask a 12-year old to help you but be careful as it can make the surface slippery.

4. In The Swim CRC Pro-Series Chlorinated Rubber-Base Pool Paint

Pros

  • Great coverage
  • The paint is durable
  • Takes 3 days to fully dry

Cons

  • Paint bucket may contain unidentified particles

In The Swim CRC Pro-Series Chlorinated Rubber-Base Pool Paint is ideally used as a self-primer. For best results, two coats are recommended. This would upgrade your previously painted Chlorinated rubber-base, plaster, concrete or gunite pools.

A third coat may be necessary for bare surfaces like plaster, concrete, and porous surfaces. The paint has a low-sheen finishing and it has extremely good water resistant propriety. One gallon can cover 250 square feet area. While painting, make sure the area is well-ventilated.

5. In The Swim Super Poxy Shield Epoxy-Base Swimming Pool Paint

Pros

  • Produces a glossy ceramic-like finish
  • Suitable for a variety of pool surfaces
  • Takes only a single application

Cons

  • Heavy and thick so it’s a bit tough to apply
  • Pool surface must be sanded before application

In The Swim Super Poxy Shield Epoxy has a highly glossy ceramic-like finish. The paint itself is stain resistant. In addition to blue, it’s available in 3 more colors. Even with a single application, the paint can last for up to 8 years.

However, it’s not very easy to apply. You must scrub, acid wash, and prime before applying it. After that, only one coat would be enough to make your pool look as good as new. One gallon can cover approximately 150 square feet.

6. RUST-OLEUM 260542 Pool Paint

Pros

  • Quick drying time
  • Nice color and great coverage

Cons

  • Not durable as compared to epoxy paints
  • You might need more paint than you expected to complete the job

It is one of the fastest drying pool paints and it’s ready to use out of the can. It simply takes 6 hours to dry and you will be ready to swim in the newly coated pool. However, if you will be applying a second coat, you must wait for at least 24 hours.

It can also be used to seal gunite, masonry, concrete, and plastered pool. It’s not suitable for fiberglass pools though. One gallon can coverage approximately 75 to 100 feet. Be careful while mixing the paint to maintain a balanced color otherwise, it may appear streaky.

7. AdCoat Swimming Pool Paint, 2-Part Epoxy Acrylic Waterbased Coating

Pros

  • Even though its 2 part, the paint is very easy to use
  • Provides good coverage

Cons

  • Not durable. It literally dissolves

AdCoat Swimming Pool Paint is recommended for residential and commercial pools. You can also paint fiberglass with it. As the same suggests, it is 2 part epoxy and water based acrylic.

The 2-parts can be easily mixed and applied by using standard painting procedure. That makes it a good resistant to damaging effects of fresh or saltwater. One gallon can cover up to 300 feet square, which is more than the coverage offered by most pool paints.

8. StoneTech Salt Water Resistant Sealer for Natural Stone & Masonry

Pros

  • Easy to use since it’s a water-based formula
  • Preserves natural look of the stone

Cons

  • Flakes within a week of application
  • Multiple coats are required

StoneTech Salt water resistant sealer is designed to protect the exterior surface from salt degradation. It is best for saltwater pools, walkways, floors, and walls. Before application, make sure the area is well ventilated.

It can last for up to 5 years if used on exterior pool surface and 1 year if used for de-icing salt protection. One gallon bottle can cover up to 475 square feet.

Types of Pool Paints

After knowing what are the best pool paints on the market for concrete pool, you must be familiar with the types too. Pool paints are available in 4 different types – epoxy, acrylic, water-based acrylic and chlorinated rubber paint.

1. Epoxy

It’s a solvent-based paint and one of the most preferred choice because it’s durable. It is resistant to stain, chemicals, and abrasions. These paints can last up to 8 years. Epoxy paint has a silky satin finish.

Although epoxy is durable, its application is very complicated. You must first clean and acid wash your pool. It also takes the longest time of all paints to dry. It has the tendency to chalk because of sun exposure and pool chemicals.

2. Acrylic

Acrylic paint can be used on plaster or unpainted concrete pools. Acrylic has a high-class finish. It’s not recommended for painting fiberglass surfaces, spas or hot tubs. It is more susceptible to chemicals as compared to epoxy paint and hence the paint can last for 4 years max.

Acrylic paint takes 5 days to dry. You can also apply it to the pools that have been coated with acrylic previously.

3. Water-based acrylic

It’s one of the fastest drying paints of all. Water-based acrylic paint is usually available in eggshell white color but you can find brands selling different color selections.

The downside of water-based acrylic is that it has the shortest lifespan. Residential pools will need repainting every other year and commercial pools each year.

4. Chlorinated rubber

It leaves a smooth tile-like finish. The paint doesn’t require any mixing. With proper care and maintenance, it can last for up to 5 years and more.

There are some downsides of this type of paint. Firstly, you have to make sure the pool surface is dry. Secondly, it has a longer curing period as compared other paints. It is also expensive as compared to acrylic paint.

Pool Paint Buying Guide

Painting a pool is a big task that demands a lot of attention. If you want to do it right, the first step is to choose to the right paint.

  • Consider the type of paint: We have already discussed paint types with their pros and cons above. Chlorinated paints are not durable; they are expensive and they are not good for the environment. You can either choose from epoxy or acrylic, depending on the results you are looking for.
  • Primer: A primer is not always mandatory but it’s helpful if you want to maximize adhesion. If the surface is unpainted, then primer is a must. If you are using acrylic or rubber based paint, then you won’t need a primer at all. Epoxy paints always need a primer.
  • Size of your pool: It’s important to have just enough pool paint to complete the job without making a second trip to buy more paint. This will be easier if you know the size of your pool.

Some tips to consider before buying pool paint

  • If your pool was already repainted once, you must know what type was it. The new paint may not be compatible with the existing paint. Seek professional help in identifying the paint.
  • Do not use acrylic paint on fiberglass, hot tubs, spas or wooden surface. It’s not a good chemical resistant and so, it will chalk over time.
  • Most of the pool paints can cover up to 150 sq. feet per gallon. Before you buy the paint, consider the size of the pool and the number of coatings required to be sure you have enough paint to complete the job.

How to paint your pool – quick DIY guide

Once you bought the right paint, now it’s time to eat the frog i.e. paint the pool. This is what you need to know to get started:

  • First things first, drain all the water and get rid of all the dirt, debris, and leaves.
  • Use hydraulic cement to patch the holes and cracks if any.
  • Now it’s time to clean the surface. You will need a scraper to remove the old paint. After that, use a pressure washer to sweep clean the area.
  • Scrub the walls and the floor of the pool using an acid wash mixture. You might have to use some chemicals to clean the pool’s surface. Once it is completely clean, then it must be rinsed with water.
  • You might have to re-rinse the entire pool multiple times to make sure there are no stains left. After this, the water needs to be pumped out. The pool will need 3 to 5 days to completely dry.
  • You may now start applying the paint. It is recommended to start painting from the deeper ends towards the smaller ends using an extension roller. To paint tiny areas like valves, drains lights etc., use a brush.
  • Once you are doing with the first and second coat (if necessary), leave the paint for drying as per the manufacturer’s instructions. After that, it’s ready to be filled with water.

Summing up

When attempting to paint a pool, you must first select the best paint. Hope this guide will help you choose the right paint that will keep your pool shiney and new for a long time to come. Choose any of the above-mentioned pool paints with confidence that you’ll get the best bang for your buck.