PEBBLECRETE SURFACES
SURFACE PREPARATION
1. Completely drain the pool so that all of the pebblecrete surface can be checked carefully for soundness. If there exists any evidence of loose pebbles or drummy areas, the surface should be regarded as suspect and must not be painted before being repaired.
Loose or drummy areas of pebblecrete should be removed and then repaired using a combination of Epoxacote HF (filled with graded sand/aggregate) and/or Luxapool SEF (Structural Epoxy Filler) or similar epoxy mortar. Loose stones may also be re-adhered in this way.
Caution: Painting over loose or poorly adhering pebblecrete is likely to result in coating failure.
2. Using a stiff brush or broom, scrub the entire surface with diluted LUXAPOOL Concentrated Wash (mixed at a ratio of 500mL Concentrated Wash to 20L of warm water). This removes greasy contaminants such as sun creams, oils, body fats, etc. Pay close attention to steps and scum- or water-line, particularly in the corners where oil accumulation is most likely to occur. Upon completion thoroughly rinse the pool with clean water to remove all traces of LUXAPOOL Concentrated Wash. Pump this water out of the pool.
3. Inspect the surface closely focusing on the cement surfaces between the pebbles. If any evidence of algae or black spot still exists, broom down with normal laundry bleach (containing 2% available chlorine), allow 5 minutes contact, then flush again with fresh water. Again, pump this water out of the pool.
4. Once no algae present, and especially if any calcium salt staining is present, acid etch the entire pool according to the following directions:
a) All personnel participating in acid etching must wear protective clothing, rubber gloves, boots and goggles. The etching solution should ALWAYS be mixed in a plastic bucket. Use commercial Hydrochloric or Muriatic Acid. NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID; always add acid to water.
| ACID CONCENTRATION | WATER | ACID |
|---|---|---|
| FOR PEBBLECRETE SURFACES | 3 PARTS | 1 PART |
b) Using a plastic watering can, apply the etching solution to the surface, a small area (say 1-2 m2) at a time. Immediately scrub the entire surface with a NYLON broom. As soon as the bubbling reaction stops (approximately 5-15 minutes), flush the area with fresh water. NEVER ALLOW THE ACID RESIDUE TO DRY ON THE SURFACE. Acid residue can cause paint failure. Proceed to the next section to be treated with the acid-etching solution. It is important to concentrate on a small, workable, section at a time. This will ensure that no acid residue is deposited onto the surface.
c) After the entire pool has been etched thoroughly, the entire surface must be neutralised with a solution of Bicarbonate of Soda and Water (1 kg of Bicarbonate of Soda mixed with 10 litres of warm water). Thoroughly scrub the entire surface with the neutralising solution and then flush liberally with fresh water. It is important to concentrate on a small, workable, section at a time. This will ensure that no bicarbonate of soda is deposited onto the surface.
d) Again, pump this water out of the pool. Then allow the pool surface to dry prior to any further surface preparation. Sweep or vacuum any loose residue.
5. Starting with a dry surface, clean up and repair all surface imperfections using an approved epoxy-concrete repair system (eg Luxapool SEF). Allow to cure overnight and then sand back with coarse (say 40 grit) sandpaper flush to a smooth surface.
6. The pool surface must be thoroughly dry prior to painting. For best results, use a hygrometer to test surface moisture levels. Moisture content should be less than 5%. High moisture content can cause failure of the epoxy coating. In the absence of a hygrometer, approximate surface moisture can be determined by taping a small patch of clear plastic sheet to a small area of the floor of the pool in the morning one day prior to painting. Remove the plastic around mid-afternoon and observe the underside (the side touching the pool surface). IF THERE ARE DROPLETS OF WATER PRESENT ON THE PLASTIC THEN THE MOISTURE CONTENT IS TOO HIGH. DO NOT COMMENCE THE PAINTING PROCESS UNTIL THE POOL SURFACE IS THOROUGHLY DRY.
7. Over a well-etched, clean and dry surface, apply a coat of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Primer-Sealer. In addition to providing good adhesion, the Primer-Sealer greatly reduces the incidence of surface pinholes and seals in water-soluble salts. These could otherwise lead to blistering, flaking or peeling of the paint.
The expected coverage of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Primer-Sealer over pebblecrete is approximately 15-20 m2 per 4L pack. Do not apply LUXAPOOL Primer-Sealer if the temperature is below 10°C or above 30°C or likely to be so during the 4 hours immediately after application. Do not apply LUXAPOOL Epoxy Primer-Sealer in too thick a coat.
It is recommended to apply the LUXAPOOL Epoxy Primer-Sealer between 8 am and 11 am, and out of direct sunlight (use of shade-cloth may assist). Do not apply later than this time as early dew can cause water spotting or blooming, which will affect adhesion of further coats. Apply the LUXAPOOL Epoxy Primer-Sealer without thinning, allowing 16-24 hours curing time prior to applying the first coat of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating. Do not leave longer than 24 hours before recoating. Refer to the Technical Data Sheet for additional detail.
8. Apply the LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating. Refer PAINTING THE POOL.
PAINTING THE POOL
WARNING: do not add any substances to LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating. Any addition will result in loss of optimum performance. USE ONLY AS INSTRUCTED.
Application at very low temperatures can result in accelerated chalking of the coating. As such it is recommended that application of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating be performed during spring, summer and autumn.
1. Check that the batch numbers on all Part A containers are identical and also confirm that all Part B cans are either all summer or all winter cure activity. This is to ensure a uniformity of colour on your pool. Batch numbers can be found on the barcode label on the front of every Part A can. Keep all part of the paint cool before and during use as excess heat will reduce the workable pot-life.
2. Prior to painting, check the weather forecast. A minimum of three consecutive rain free days are necessary for the painting process. The incidence of rain during the painting process may discolour the coating or cause paint failure which will require additional surface preparation before successive coats can be applied. Defer painting if rain is expected.
3. It is recommended to apply LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating between 8 am and 11 am. Do not apply later than this time as evening dew can cause water spotting or blooming, which will affect the adhesion of subsequent coats of paint, causing failure. In mid-summer, paint as early as possible in the day and ideally protect the coating from direct sunlight by shading. This is particularly important in the first 3 to 6 hours of cure.
Do not apply LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating if the temperature is below 10°C or above 30°C or is likely to be so during the 3-6 hours after application. Damage to the coating may result if application is performed outside of this temperature range or in direct sunlight.
4. Mix the LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating by adding the Part B hardener to the Part A base and stirring thoroughly with a clean, flat stirring stick. Pay particular attention to mixing in paint in the bottom corners of the can. Stirring 300 times around by hand is a good guide. ALWAYS MIX AND USE WHOLE PACKS. NEVER USE PART PACKS. After initial mixing, allow the mixed product to stand for 5-10 minutes induction time, then remix and use immediately. Only mix one pack at a time, and apply within one hour from the start of mixing.
Failure to mix the two parts thoroughly will result in the paint not curing properly. Paint that is still wet and tacky after 4-6 hours has not been mixed correctly and will not cure.
5. Cut in at the tile line of the pool with a brush and use a roller for application to all other surfaces. Do not apply thin coats of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating as an overspread coating will wear faster.
The expected coverage of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating over pebblecrete is approximately 10-13 m2 per 3.5L pack per coat. This is significantly less than with other pool surfaces such as fibreglass, concrete or render, because of the heavily textured surface.
During the application process, allow the painted area to stand for approximately 10-15 minutes after application and then note whether any bubbling of the film has occurred. The existence of bubbles is generally due to entrapment of air within the surface (once painted) which rises due to expansion from heat. This can be minimized greatly by utilising a protective shade-cloth. Avoiding all bubbles is impossible, however minimising their numbers is achievable.
If many small bubbles appear within the first 10-15 minutes of painting, then they can be eliminated by lightly draping a wet roller (but not loaded) over the surface. It is important to only lightly touch the paint surface as this bursts the bubbles allowing the resulting crater to flow and re-form into a uniform film.
6. The pool will require a minimum of two coats of LUXAPOOL, but we’d recommend three to achieve a minimum dry film thickness of 400 microns. Achieving the correct total dry film thickness is critical to long-term durability of the finished coating.
After application of each coat, allow a minimum of 20 and no more than 24 hours cure time prior to applying the next coat. The surface must be dry before recoating.
Any milky discolouration (bloom) caused by unpredicted rain, evening dew, or high humidity MUST be completely removed by abrasion with a medium-grade sanding paper (40-60 grit) prior to application of the next coat.
If more than 24 hours has elapsed between coats, it is necessary to thoroughly abrade the entire pool surface to a dull finish and remove all sanding dust prior to application of the next coat.
7. The longer a pool is allowed to dry prior to filling the better the ultimate coating quality and longevity. ALWAYS allow the coating to dry at least 7 DAYS IN SUMMER and 14 DAYS IN WINTER, prior to filling the pool. If a coating has not had adequate drying time and is filled prematurely, then its colour may be damaged. This is seen as cloudy, uneven or mottled colour distribution on the last coat. DO NOT add chemicals other than salt or chlorine for at least 3-5 days and then only in slurry form and with vigorous agitation.
8. Maintain the coating and pool chemistry to in accordance with our GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR POOL CARE to maximise the wearing life of your coating.
Download LUXAPOOL EPOXY POOL COATING PEBBLECRETE SURFACE POOLS application guide as pdf here!
The ultimate performance of our products will vary according to surfaces, to surface preparation, and to use of the correct or incorrect application procedure and ambient conditions at the time of application and during curing.
Colormaker Industries, as manufacturer of the products cannot supervise application by the purchaser or applicator. Therefore no warranty can be given as to the suitability of the product for a particular purpose. Provided nothing herein shall be deemed to exclude, restrict or modify any conditions of warranty expressed or implied by any State or Federal statute.
LUXAPOOL®, ACRYLMERIC® and UNICRYL® are registered trademarks.
© Colormaker Industries 2017 – VERSION: 1705