The following is a step by step guide to a successful pool paint job using Klass Kote Swimming Pool Epoxy paint. Please be sure to read our Product Data Sheet for instructions on using our epoxy paint. 1.     Determine the type of pool paint that is currently on the pool. You cannot paint a pool with epoxy paint that has previously been painted with rubber base paint. If you are unsure of what the surface was previously painted with, abrasion removal or sandblasting may be necessary to expose the bare pool surface. 2.     Drain any water from the swimming pool. Remove all debris from the surface of the pool, and remove any hydrostatic relief plugs. 3.      Repair any cracks or major imperfections in the pool/deck surface. THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS FOR THE NEXT STEP IN PREPARING  YOUR SURFACE FOR PAINTING.... OPTION 1: (Preferred method) 1.     Remove any loose, peeling or scaling paint, concrete (or anything otherwise loose) on the surface which would impede adhesion of your new Klass Kote Epoxy Industrial Strength Pool Paint.

2.     Using a sander, (hand held or mechanical) or sand blaster, sand the entire surface to be painted. (Use medium to light aggressive sanding) 3.     After sanding the complete surface, remove any sand dust using a vacuum or blower method.Highlander Cat For Sale Illinois 4.     With a non-shedding cloth that is damply wet with Klass Kote Epoxy Reducer #500 or equivalent (high grade lacquer thinner) wipe down the surface making sure to remove all remaining sand dust.Dutch Shepherd Puppies For Sale In Ohio 1.     Using a 50% water, 50% muriatic acid solution and observing the proper safety equipment and procedures, acid wash the swimming pool surface. How To Get Spare Tire Off Cadillac Escalade

Be sure to thoroughly scrub the walls and floor surfaces. 2.     Completely rinse the entire swimming pool, skimmers, fittings, lights, and stairs, etc. 3.     Next,  re-clean the swimming pool with TSP (trisodium-phosphate). TSP is a detergent available at all paint stores and most home supply and hardware stores. Follow the directions on the TSP container. Applying TSP will neutralize the acid, and remove the glaze from the existing paint. It also removes any grease, oil or any dirt that the acid did not remove. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Rinse it, and then re-rinse the surface to be sure no TSP solution remains. AFTER COMPLETING EITHER OPTION 1 OR 1.    Allow the swimming pool to dry for 3 - 5 days – fewer if the sun is intense and the surface dries completely. Do not rush the surface drying time. It is not good to trap moisture under the new paint job. 2.    To prevent getting any pool epoxy paint on the threads, tile or fittings, etc. tape them off with painters tape.

3.    Before painting the pool, scrape any last minute flakes from the pool surface, then dust and sweep the pool out. You can use a blower to blow any remaining dust, debris, leaves, or dirt from the pool deck. 4.    Prime with Klass Kote Epoxy Primer if necessary, then proceed with Klass Kote Epoxy top coats. 5.    Check the weather forecast for rain or high winds. If there is a chance of rain, wait. Open both sides (A & B) of the Klass Kote Epoxy Pool Paint components. Follow the mixing instructions on our can labels or in our Product Data Sheet. Be sure to mix each component thoroughly, before mixing the two together. If possible, use an electric drill with a paddle mixer. 6.    Before beginning to paint your pool, test roll (use a 3/8" nap roller, preferably Mohair)  onto another surface similar in temperature to your pool surface.  The rolling process may introduce bubbles onto the surface. At average temperatures, these bubbles will “self-level” and disappear.

In higher temperatures it is possible that the bubbles will not self-level due to faster curing of the epoxy mixture. If this happens, it will be necessary to thin the mixture by adding some Klass Kote Epoxy Reducer #500. Add enough reducer #500 to the mixture until the bubbles introduced while rolling self-level and disappear. See mixing instruction on our product data sheet. Keep the paint mixture at this viscosity (thickness) while coating your pool surface, this may require adding additional small amounts of the Epoxy Reducer during the painting process. Try to avoid extremely hot and or humid weather while applying. If you are applying a second coat of pool paint, wait 4-6 hours before re-painting – until the first coat is cured enough to walk on. How much Epoxy Reducer #500 should you have on hand? It is recommended that you have an amount equal to 25% of #500 epoxy reducer to your total Epoxy Paint quantity. For example, if you order a one gallon pool paint kit, have one quart #500 reducer on hand – for a 4 gallon pool kit, have one gallon of #500, etc.  

It is recommended that you use our Klass Kote Reducer #500 because it is specifically optimized for our Klass Kote Epoxy Paint but if necessary, a good quality lacquer thinner may be used. 7.    The last step is very important. You must wait 4-7 days before filling the swimming pool so your new paint job can cure completely. If there is rain during that time, remove any standing water after the rain has stopped. You can use a sponge and leaf blower to dry the pool. For extended rain that leaves standing water or small pools, add a day to the cure time. After the cure time, fill the pool completely. 8.    When the pool is full, restart the swimming pool filter system and adjust the total alkalinity and calcium hardness levels to a minimum of 150 PPM. Resume your normal chemical maintenance.DEAR TIM: I am thinking about painting ceramic tile in my home. This tile is in several rooms both on the floor and walls. Our budget does not allow replacement at this time. Is ceramic tile painting a reasonable project, or will it end in disaster?

What do I need to know about painting ceramic tiles that will make me look like a hero in front of my husband, the man who thinks this is a folly of an idea? Sharon D., Carrollton, TX DEAR SHARON: Oh, you are going to be astonished by the praise and compliments that will be showered upon you by your friends and neighbors once they discover how you transformed your home by painting the ceramic tile. The best part is that the cost of the job will be less than what you and your Doubting-Thomas husband will spend at a fine restaurant for a dinner for two. He is going to be ordering some crow followed by a large helping of humble pie. If you want long-lasting results, let's discuss what ceramic tile can and can't be painted. You can paint any ceramic tile that will not be subject to lots of water on a routine basis. This means floor tile, wall tile, and countertop tile can all be painted. You can even do decorative painting on ceramic tile. The only tile I would never paint is that ceramic tile within a shower or above a bathtub.

The high levels of moisture in these areas cause most paints to peel from ceramic tile in a short amount of time. The first step in the process is to deep clean the ceramic tile and grout. You must remove all dirt, oil, wax, grease, mold, etc. I would use a bathroom cleaner that contains a mild abrasive for this task. The cleaner you get the tile, the better chance you have of overall success. Keep in mind that paints of any type are simply glues that have color in them. Glues prefer to stick to surfaces that are squeaky clean. They stick even better if the surface is slightly rough. I have had fantastic results over the years painting ceramic tile with oil-based paint. It is getting harder to find this paint because of environmental issues, but rest assured, it really sticks to things once it is dried and has cured. Water-based paints peel readily from glazed ceramic tile surfaces. You may have great success with epoxy paints, but test these in a small area as they might be hard to use the first time.

Use a semi-gloss or high gloss paint for the job. If the paint is thick or hard to brush or roll, use a little paint thinner to slightly dilute the paint. Always follow the directions on the paint-can label with respect to the maximum amount of thinner you can add. Use masking tape to protect surfaces next to the ceramic tile. Use tapes that have less-aggressive acrylic adhesives so when they are removed, they do not damage the surface that was taped. Decorative painting on ceramic tile is easy. You have unlimited design options on any ceramic tile surface. Keep in mind that if you grow tired of the design, you can paint over it. Stenciling over the finish paint will allow you to create borders on walls, floors or countertops. You can have scads of fun with stencils or even two-tone paint designs. Let your mind run wild, and experiment on a small section of ceramic tile. If you don't like what you see, start over. Once the finish paint has dried for two or three days, coat it with two coats of clear water-based urethane.

This urethane is very sticky and will adhere to the fresh oil paint. Avoid using oil-based urethane as many of them have a tendency to develop a golden patina over time. You may find the amber color of this patina to be objectionable. The water-based urethanes stay clear forever. The urethane is an integral part of the paint job. Most urethanes are very hard and resist water and foot traffic or abuse from plates, glasses and cookware on countertops. It is a known fact that urethanes do a fantastic job of protecting hardwood floor finishes for years. They do the same for painted surfaces. This is especially true for painted ceramic tile floors. The urethane finish will protect the colorful paint and provide you with years of beauty. There are thousands of basketball courts that are living proof that painted floors can handle abuse and still look good with minimal care. Be sure to repair any chips in the tile before you paint. Quick-drying epoxies are an excellent material to use for this purpose.

Caulk all cracks as well. Be sure the caulk cures for several days before you paint it. Some water-base caulks will shrink if you squirt them into wide or deep cracks. Use caulking backer rod, if necessary, to fill deep cracks. Generally speaking, a bead of caulk should only be as deep as the caulk bead is wide. Don't shy away from using multiple colors when painting your ceramic tile. Creating geometric patterns by painting separate tiles different colors can yield stunning results. You can also paint stripes or borders with ease. On large ceramic tile floors, a border can be designed that compliments the placement of a large area rug that is used in the center of a room or a runner carpet in a hallway. Author's Note: We've received other questions with similar problems or questions. Here's one from E.J. Vincent of California regarding her ceramic tile painting project. "I want to paint my own design onto ceramic tile, like the ones you would buy at Home Depot. Is there a special ceramic tile paint and sealer I need to use?