Remove Paint from Fiberglass Pool Walls

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Sheiladavis33

Sheiladavis33

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May 7, 2017
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I'm completely aware that painting a pool is typically frowned upon, nevertheless that's the direction my guy has decided to take. He wants to use an epoxy paint, so has to remove a couple of layers (not guilty, previous owners made this mess) of paint off of our fiberglass walls. Just wondering if anyone has done this and what process they used to do so. I hear him talking about sandblasting, but the research I've done says that's a HUGE mess. Also, have heard him talk about walnut blasting and water blasting. I've already powerwashed the walls with 3000 psi. I can still see blue and white paint on top of the fiberglass, and no sight of the fiberglass itself, so powerwashing isn't a solution that will work for us. Floor of the pool is gunite. I've seen one guy on youtube say to use 300 grit sandpaper- yikes, our pool is 20x40. Seems like that would be a long, tiduous, never ending task!!! Help!??
 
Ah, a Polynesian Pools hybrid fiberglass panel pool. Know them well! If the seams aren't leaking then painting should be an OK temporary fix. Also, check for blistering of the gelcoat. If you have blistering, then you're living on borrowed time. See what I had to eventually do with mine (starting at post #79):

EcoFinish Pool wall questions

Great advice to stay with a solid vinyl liner. I do worry about fading. As to overall take-aways to this entire ordeal: 1) When looking to renovate your pool ALWAYS ask the Pool renovator if they are doing the work themselves and not using a 3rd party sub-contractor. ONLY deal directly with...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
sktn77a said:
Ah, a Polynesian Pools hybrid fiberglass panel pool. Know them well! If the seams aren't leaking then painting should be an OK temporary fix. Also, check for blistering of the gelcoat. If you have blistering, then you're living on borrowed time. See what I had to eventually do with mine (starting at post #79):

EcoFinish Pool wall questions

Great advice to stay with a solid vinyl liner. I do worry about fading. As to overall take-aways to this entire ordeal: 1) When looking to renovate your pool ALWAYS ask the Pool renovator if they are doing the work themselves and not using a 3rd party sub-contractor. ONLY deal directly with...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
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Wow- your pool looks amazing!!! I have exactly three blisters in my gel coat.
 
What do you expect to find under the paint? I think the sand blasting will take off what gel coat may be left on the walls.

What are you trying to accomplish?

@Texas Splash
 
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Sheiladavis33 said:
Can a pool with fiberglass walls, that has been painted in the past with two different kinds of paint ( previous owner), be sandblasted?
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I would be hesitant to do so in fear of cutting-through anymore remaining gelcoat or base material underneath. Sounds like your situation is a bit unique? Are you looking to do a DIY project or do you have a contractor evaluating the project?
 

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sktn77a said:
Three is good - I had hundreds (maybe more)! How about the seams - did they leak before you started the reno?
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We think they did. It never even dawned on us until this year when we opened it and noticed the majority of the caulk was missing from the seams! We were pretty sure we had a leak somewhere. We are using 3M 5200 Marine sealant. I also did the paint test on the pool and it looks like they did use a rubber based paint a couple of times. We are new to all of this- I'm debating what to do, if I use a conversion paint and paint it all with epoxy paint, or to just go ahead and do a rubber based paint for this year and not have to spend as much money. My husband hates this pool! It's his negative and my positive, lol I love it!! The less I need him to be a part of it, the happier we both will be lol.
 
ajw22 said:
What do you expect to find under the paint? I think the sand blasting will take off what gel coat may be left on the walls.

What are you trying to accomplish?

@Texas Splash
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I wanted to remove the paint that was on there, so that we could use an epoxy paint instead. When I made this post, I was under the impression that the previous owner had used two different kinds of paint, one on top of the other. Yesterday, I did the paint test and I guess they did use rubber based paint. The walls are fiberglass and the floor is gunite. So basically I thought I needed to remove two different kinds of paint in order to go ahead and use an epoxy paint.
 
Paint as a quick fix .... sure. But the real question is - what’s your timeframe? Are you going to fix/remodel this pool properly next year OR are you hoping to get 3-5 years out of the “quick fix”?
 
Sheiladavis33 said:
We are using 3M 5200 Marine sealant.... (to seal the seams).
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Yes, that's what they tell you to use once they start leaking. Depending on the individual seam and the care in surface preparation, it can last 1-3 seasons. Don't know what would happen if you paint over the sealed seams or seal over the paint (?)

I tried to find someone to install a track and liner in my pool but the local hillbillys said "can't be done".
 
JoyfulNoise said:
Paint as a quick fix .... sure. But the real question is - what’s your timeframe? Are you going to fix/remodel this pool properly next year OR are you hoping to get 3-5 years out of the “quick fix”?
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Looking for the 3-5 year fix. Hoping to be more wealthy in that time frame! :) Mother of four girls, one got married last year, and another getting married 2021. The struggle is real!! :)
 
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sktn77a said:
Yes, that's what they tell you to use once they start leaking. Depending on the individual seam and the care in surface preparation, it can last 1-3 seasons. Don't know what would happen if you paint over the sealed seams or seal over the paint (?)

I tried to find someone to install a track and liner in my pool but the local hillbillys said "can't be done".
Click to expand...
Gonna try the paint over the sealed seams. We don't even have locals that work on pools where I live, but wouldn't give up my simple, country life for anything!!!
 

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