Smart Seal pool and deck coatings help make resurfacing easy! Just follow these simple steps.
Choose Your Coating
Selecting the correct coating depends on:
1: The type of pool surface material, i.e. bare concrete, plaster or fiberglass, or sandblasted, if uncoated, and
2: The type of coating currently on your pool now.
On coated pools, Smart Seal recommends using the same type of coating to ensure compatibility.
To determine the type of coating now on your pool, consult your Smart Seal dealer, or send a chip to Smart Seal for analysis. To test on your own:
1: Immerse a small chip in 98% isopropyl alcohol. If the chip dissolves, your coating is an acrylic. If it DOES NOT DISSOLVE,
2: Immerse a new chip in 100% rubber base solvent (Xylol). If it dissolves, it's a rubber base. If it DOES NOT DISSOLVE, it's an epoxy.
If your pool is bare concrete or plaster, then you need...
If your pool has been previously coated with a rubber base paint, then you need...
1: The type of pool surface material, i.e. bare concrete, plaster or fiberglass, or sandblasted, if uncoated, and
2: The type of coating currently on your pool now.
On coated pools, Smart Seal recommends using the same type of coating to ensure compatibility.
To determine the type of coating now on your pool, consult your Smart Seal dealer, or send a chip to Smart Seal for analysis. To test on your own:
1: Immerse a small chip in 98% isopropyl alcohol. If the chip dissolves, your coating is an acrylic. If it DOES NOT DISSOLVE,
2: Immerse a new chip in 100% rubber base solvent (Xylol). If it dissolves, it's a rubber base. If it DOES NOT DISSOLVE, it's an epoxy.
What Is Your Pool's Present Condition?
For BARE UNCOATED POOLSIf your pool is bare concrete or plaster, then you need...
- Dura Seal (1 coat) with Prime It! or Rough Prime, OR
- SR Pro 7 (2 coats), OR
- Aqua Seal (2 coats)
- Dura Seal (1 coat) with Rough Prime
If your pool has been previously coated with a rubber base paint, then you need...
- SR PRo 7 (2 coats), OR
- Smart Step Conversion Coating (before painting with Dura Seal), OR
- Aqua Seal (2 coats)
Finding The Amount
Following will help you determine the amount of coating you will need.
2: Use the formula below to find the approximate square feet
3: Check the coverage of the product you select to determine how many gallons you will need
How to figure the square footage of your pool
1: Chose the shape that best resembles your pool2: Use the formula below to find the approximate square feet
3: Check the coverage of the product you select to determine how many gallons you will need
Surface Preparation
The following steps will help you to get your pool ready for Smart Seal. This process also applies to patios and decks prior to the application of Patio Perfect.
To wash your pool, use pool-washing compound, or tri-sodium phosphate, mixed with water. Approximately eight ounces in a gallon of water will clean about 100 square feet. DO NOT use detergent type cleaners, which leave a soapy residue. Scrub vigorously using a long-handled, stiff-bristled brush. Rinse about every ten feet. Be sure to scrub extra around the waterline and main drain, where oils collect. Washing your pool in this manner removes oils, which interfere with the cohesion of Smart Seal.
2: Acid-Etch Your Pool
Acid-etching is required on bare masonry surfaces like plaster and concrete and is strongly recommended for previously coated surfaces. Acid-etching opens millions of tiny pores on bare surfaces and removes chalky residue and mineral deposits on coated surfaces.
Mix a solution of one gallon of muriatic acid or two lbs sulfuric acid crystals with no more than two gallons of water. This amount etches approximately 200 square feet. Apply to the surface and scrub. As soon as the bubbling ceases, rinse with water-about every ten feet.
DO NOT use a solution weaker than described above.
DO etch every square inch, and be sure to wear safety shoes, gloves, and goggles.
3: Wash Your Pool Again
Be sure to wash your pool again after acid-etching. This will neutralize any remaining traces of acid and prevent acid salts, which are corrosive, from forming. Use the same solution and process described in step 1 above.
AFTER SURFACE PREPARATION
Your pool will be water-saturated after cleaning. If you're using Aqua Seal or Prime It!, you can coat right away. If you're using Rough Prime, Dura Seal, or SR Pro 7/SR Seal Coat, you must wait until your pool dries completely before application.
3 Simple Steps
1: Wash Your PoolTo wash your pool, use pool-washing compound, or tri-sodium phosphate, mixed with water. Approximately eight ounces in a gallon of water will clean about 100 square feet. DO NOT use detergent type cleaners, which leave a soapy residue. Scrub vigorously using a long-handled, stiff-bristled brush. Rinse about every ten feet. Be sure to scrub extra around the waterline and main drain, where oils collect. Washing your pool in this manner removes oils, which interfere with the cohesion of Smart Seal.
2: Acid-Etch Your Pool
Acid-etching is required on bare masonry surfaces like plaster and concrete and is strongly recommended for previously coated surfaces. Acid-etching opens millions of tiny pores on bare surfaces and removes chalky residue and mineral deposits on coated surfaces.
Mix a solution of one gallon of muriatic acid or two lbs sulfuric acid crystals with no more than two gallons of water. This amount etches approximately 200 square feet. Apply to the surface and scrub. As soon as the bubbling ceases, rinse with water-about every ten feet.
DO NOT use a solution weaker than described above.
DO etch every square inch, and be sure to wear safety shoes, gloves, and goggles.
3: Wash Your Pool Again
Be sure to wash your pool again after acid-etching. This will neutralize any remaining traces of acid and prevent acid salts, which are corrosive, from forming. Use the same solution and process described in step 1 above.
AFTER SURFACE PREPARATION
Your pool will be water-saturated after cleaning. If you're using Aqua Seal or Prime It!, you can coat right away. If you're using Rough Prime, Dura Seal, or SR Pro 7/SR Seal Coat, you must wait until your pool dries completely before application.
Applying Your Coating
NOTE: ALWAYS wear protective gloves, shoes and eyewear before starting.
Once you have followed the correct surface preparation procedures for your swimming pool, you will be ready to apply your new surface.
ALWAYS read and follow the instructions on ALL product labels.
TIP: For steps, shallow areas and wading pools, sprinkle white sand or marble dust on the coating before it dries to make the area slip-resistant.
Once you have followed the correct surface preparation procedures for your swimming pool, you will be ready to apply your new surface.
ALWAYS read and follow the instructions on ALL product labels.
Applying Dura Seal Epoxy Coating
- Use a 9" roller with a 1/2" nap and a solvent resistant core. See Step 1 on Dura Seal to determine the proper coating procedure for your present surface condition.
- Sand glossy spots in order to assure good adhesion.
- Then spot prime bare spots with the recommended primer listed in Step 2.
TIP: For steps, shallow areas and wading pools, sprinkle white sand or marble dust on the coating before it dries to make the area slip-resistant.
Applying SR Pro 7 Rubber Base Coating
- Make sure the surface is 100% dry. Water trapped under the new film will result in blistering.
- Spot prime any bare spots with rubber base coating.
- For bare surface, thin the first coat 25% with Xylol.
- Use a 9" roller with a 1/2" nap and a solvent resistant core.
- Apply the first coat in a smooth even manner. Allow first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat.
- The second coat should be applied at full strength.
- Consult the Curing Schedule on the label.
Applying Aqua Seal Acrylic Coating
Aqua Seal is a water-reducible acrylic enamel and can be applied directly to the damp surface. No drying out time after cleaning.- On bare surfaces, thin the first coat 10% with water.
- After completely drying, apply the second coat full strength.
- Consult the Curing Schedule on the label.
