Epoxy paint for fiberglass stairs?

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Jeff Lebowski

Well-known member
May 29, 2014
94
Virginia Beach
My pool looks like Crud. It's prob 25 yrs old. I need a new liner but before I spring for that I need to first repair and paint the steps. They have developed numerous small blisters and many of them have popped, allowing water to escape. I need to add an inch or three of water at least once a week. So, I want to repair the stairs. There are prob two dozen quarter sized blisters per set of steps, plus another two dozen smaller ones. I have two sets of staris, one at each end of the pool.

I spoke with a guy about repairing them but I was a bit shellshocked at the 7K price tag. He said the process involved grinding off the blisters, backfilling any cavities and then patching them with an epoxy. Then painting the entire set of stairs with epoxy.

I used to do glass work on boats and figure this ought to be something I can handle.

I am looking for suggestions for which paint to use once the repairs are done. Does it have to be pool paint or will any two part white epoxy work? I am thinking of just using white MarineTex putty to repair the blisters once I've ground them down. Any other suggestions or guffaws are welcome.

Thanks.
 
Jeff Lebowski said:
Covers still on. And they're filthy so I'm not sure how well that would work. The larger blisters are about the size of a half dollar and stick out 1/8 inch or so from flush.
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The marine putty epoxy isn’t all that durable. You need polyester resin based gel coat if they are fiberglass. Pool paint doesn’t last very long.
 
Jeff Lebowski said:
Why Poly? I always thought that epoxy was the superior product. Particularly when used overtop of Poly.
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I mean the marine putty epoxy isn’t all that great and neither is epoxy “paint”. They make epoxy repair resins for fiberglass that’s likely ok. You need something that’ll wet through the fibers and not just sit on top of them. That’s all assuming you remove any release agents/wax, from the bonding surface before coating it with anything.
 
No fibers will be exposed. I am laying this paint on top of an existing set of fiberglass stairs. It will also (obviously) lay on top of the repairs. 1 inch repairs that I am planning on filling w Marine Tex or other epoxy based and thickened putty.
 
Suggestions? I am wide open to the best option. Cutting tiny pieces of glass fiber and then stippling each for a few dozen holes seems like torture. I used JB weld once to repair a cracked exhaust manifold on a salt water boat. Lasted a decade. Might still be there, I sold it. So, that was a great application. Just the wrong color.
 
Jeff Lebowski said:
Suggestions? I am wide open to the best option. Cutting tiny pieces of glass fiber and then stippling each for a few dozen holes seems like torture. I used JB weld once to repair a cracked exhaust manifold on a salt water boat. Lasted a decade. Might still be there, I sold it. So, that was a great application. Just the wrong color.
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A fiberglass repair epoxy that isn’t putty would be what I’d try.
 

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At $7K, you might be able to get the stairs replaced when you do the liner. That is what I was quoted to replace them last time I asked. I sure wouldn't try a repair for that kind of money if it was anywhere near the cost of new stairs.
 
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No clue as to whether this is any good: Olympic Step Renew Resurfacing Kits - Doheny's Pool Supplies Fast
In the comments is the mfg's contact info, so while the product is not for patching holes, they may advise as to what to use before the repaint. And perhaps give a clue as to how long the paint actually lasts.

No idea about your steps, but Google for fiberglass pool steps seems to indicate that pricing might be in the $1,500 to $3,000 range, depending. So including it as part of the future liner replacement may be for the best.
 
Jeff Lebowski said:
Cutting tiny pieces of glass fiber and then stippling each for a few dozen holes seems like torture (I used to do glass work on boats and figure this ought to be something I can handle).
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This is the only way to repair them properly. It'll take you a couple of days and 50 bucks worth of materials. Beats paying some clown $7k or painting them with something that will only last 1 season. Use a gelcoat on top of your patches.
 
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