One of the most common methods of decorating a pool deck surface is with paint. A painted pool deck can brighten up your pool area, relieving the look of dull, grey concrete. Painting your pool requires more than a few cans of exterior paint and a roller, however. You have to prepare the surface properly and use a paint that can withstand the weather as well as chemicals common to pool maintenance. You also need to create a surface that's slip-resistant. After you finish, you'll have a fresh surface that can provide years of enjoyment with very little maintenance.
Instructions
1. Thoroughly clean the surface of the concrete, using a degreasing cleanser to remove stains. Once you remove any stains, wash the surface using a power washer set to 40 or 60 degrees. Allow the surface of the deck to dry and then sweep it clear of any debris.
2. Line the area with plastic sheeting and tape it into place.
3. Spray a layer of concrete sealant onto the concrete surface. Pour the liquid concrete sealant into a pump-up hand sprayer bottle, filling the bottle halfway and sealing it tightly. Use the pump to increase the air pressure within the bottle. Beginning at a corner of the deck, aim the spray nozzle toward the deck's surface and spray the sealant evenly onto the deck. When the pressure falls, pump the handle to increase the pressure and continue spraying until you've covered the entire surface of the deck with the sealant.
4. Apply a layer of epoxy primer onto the concrete using a 3/8-inch nap roller. The primer creates a smooth surface to which the paint will adhere.
5. Mix a batch of paint for your pool deck using pool deck paint, which is made specifically to be resistant against weathering and chlorine. Combine the paint with a non-skid additive to create a textured surface that will be slip-resistant. The amount of additive needed will be in the instructions for the product.
6. Apply a coat of your mixed paint to the concrete deck using a 3/8 inch nap roller. Layer the paint to attain a complete coat, using three thin layers and allowing the paint to dry between each coat for 24 hours. Once the final layer has been applied, allow the surface time to completely cure according to the manufacturer's instructions before using the surface.
7. Remove the plastic sheeting from around the pool deck.
8. Apply a layer of sealant to your painted concrete pool deck. Choose a sealant that is waterproof and textured to add to the slip resistant nature of the paint. Use a paint roller equipped with an extension handle to apply the sealant. Begin at the edges of the deck, pouring the sealant directly to the surface of the deck, and rolling it evenly down the edges. Once the edges are finished, cover the rest of the deck, pouring the sealant onto the deck in small pools and rolling the sealant evenly across the surface of the deck a section at a time. Make sure you work your way toward an open area at the side of the deck so that you won't have to walk on the deck's surface when you've finished.
Tips Warnings
Check the paint type to be sure its compatible with the concrete sealant. Incompatible paints will not stick well to the sealant and quickly begin to peel from the surface.
Tags: paint, seal, concrete, pool, deck, pool deck, surface deck, concrete sealant, deck surface, surface that, your pool
