SURFACE PREPARATION

1. 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 particular attention to step areas and corners where oil accumulation may occur. Upon completion thoroughly rinse the pool with clean water to remove all traces of LUXAPOOL Concentrated Wash. Allow to dry thoroughly.

2. If uncertain, confirm that the coating is an epoxy by rubbing the surface for approximately one minute with a rag dampened with acetone. If the surface is generally polished but otherwise unaffected it is most likely an epoxy and can be recoated with LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating. However, if the surface becomes sticky to the touch it is not an epoxy. If the coating is not an epoxy, refer to Colormaker Industries before proceeding further.

3. ALL of the existing epoxy surface must be abraded using 20 to 40 grit sanding discs, belt sanders or angle grinders. The surface resulting after abrasion should have a sandpapery feel so as to ensure the best possible mechanical key for the new epoxy coating. Alternatively epoxy surfaces may be abraded by ‘whip blasting’ techniques, but only if undertaken by experienced abrasive blasting contractors. This may utilise wet or dry process as local regulations may allow.

Water blasting is NOT an adequate alternative surface preparation technique.

Failure to abrade the existing coating thoroughly can result in adhesive failure of the new epoxy coating.

4. Remove all sanding residues by vacuuming or brooming, with collection in a dust pan. Then hose the pool thoroughly to remove last traces of fine dust. Allow all surfaces to dry thoroughly before proceeding to painting

5. Starting with a dry surface, clean up and repair all surface imperfections using an approved epoxyconcrete repair system. Allow to cure overnight and then sand back flush to a smooth surface.

6. Significantly large areas of exposed cement render or marblesheen should be treated as unpainted cement render or marblesheen pools. These areas should first be prepared according to the directions provided in the following ACID ETCHING section.

7. Over a well-etched, clean and dry surface, apply a coat of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Primer-Sealer to any areas of exposed cement render or marblesheen. In addition to providing good adhesion, the Primer-Sealer eliminates surface pinholes and seals in water-soluble salts, which could lead to blistering, flaking or peeling of the paint.

Coverage of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Primer Sealer is approximately 25-30m2 per 4L pack.

Do not apply the Primer-Sealer if the temperature is below 10°C or likely to be so during the 4 hours after application.

It is recommended to apply the 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 the Technical Data Sheet for additional detail.

8. Apply the LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating. Refer PAINTING THE POOL section below.

ACID ETCHING

1. 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 FOR NEW CEMENT RENDER

  • Water: 2 parts
  • Acid: 1 part

ACID CONCENTRATION FOR OLD CEMENT RENDER OR PEBBLECRETE

  • Water: 3 parts
  • Acid: 1 part

ACID CONCENTRATION FOR MARBLESHEEN

Sound and Hard

  • Water: none
  • Acid: concentrated acid

Sound and Soft

  • Water: 1 part
  • Acid: 1 part

2. Using a plastic watering can, apply the etching solution to the surface, a small area 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 entire 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. The surface, when etched correctly, should have a rough, sandpapery feel to the touch. 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.

3. After the entire pool has been etched thoroughly, the 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 flush the 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.

4. Allow the pool surface to dry prior to any further surface preparation. Sweep or vacuum any loose residue.

PAINTING THE POOL

WARNING: do not add any substances to LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating as 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’s 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 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 the 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. ALWAYS MIX AND USE WHOLE PACKS. NEVER USE PART PACKS.

Allow 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.

Coverage of LUXAPOOL Epoxy Pool Coating is approximately 20-25m2 per 3.5L pack per coat.

When applying 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 rise 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 have appear within the first 10-15 minutes of painting they can be eliminated by lightly draping a wet roller (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 requires a minimum of two coats of LUXAPOOL, and sometimes three, in order to achieve a minimum dry film thickness of 400 microns. Achieving the correct total dry film thickness is critical to longterm 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 should be thoroughly 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 epoxy.

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 10 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 its colour will be damaged. This is seen as cloudy, uneven colour distribution on the last coat.

DO NOT add chemicals other than salt or chlorine for at least 3-5 days.

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.

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