Frequently Asked Questions

PREPARATION

1. How can I be sure the pool surface is dry prior to painting with a solvent base paint?

We recommend that you tape clear plastic on the vertical wall and if no condensation shows, then the pool is dry and ready for overcoating.

2. How do I repair my surface before painting?

If it’s a hairline crack, Pool Guard EHB will fill it in. If it’s a big­ger job then use a caulking agent Polyurethane Sealant & if it’s a larger repair, a concrete repair is needed.

3. What is the proper surface preparation for the pool?

Surface must always be clean, dry and properly prepared prior to painting. Failure to do so will lead to eventually blistering and/or peeling. Previously painted surfaces should be Power Washed to remove loose paint or excessive chalking. Scrub the entire pool with a TSP (Tri-Sodium Phosphate) solution to re­move all dirt, oils, loose or peeling paint, and chalk. All surfaces should then be acid etched with a 15-20% solution of Muriatic Acid to achieve a medium grade sandpaper finish on bare or plaster and to remove mineral deposits on previously painted chlorinated rubber surfaces. Neutralize/rinse with TSP. Before applying the paint, the pool must be completely dry.

4. How do I repair my surface before painting?

If it’s a hairline crack, Pool Guard EHB will fill it in. If it’s a big­ger job then use a caulking agent Polyurethane Sealant, & if it’s a larger repair, a concrete repair is needed.

5. How can I be sure the pool surface is dry prior to painting with a solvent base paint?

We recommend that you tape clear plastic on the vertical wall and if no condensation shows, then the pool is dry & ready for overcoating.

APPLICATION

6. Can I apply epoxy paint over chlorinated rubber paint or chlorinated rubber paint over epoxy paint?

Different technologies are not compatible, so we recommend chlorinated rubber over chlorinated rubber, epoxy over epoxy. However, if you put our epoxy primer on first, then the different paint can be used with no issues.

7. Can I apply any pool paint over another type of pool paint?

Aqua Kote can be applied over anything, Pool Shield CRX over any chlorinated rubber paint, Pool Guard EHB over any epoxy paint. If you want to switch, you must use an epoxy primer first.

8. How long can I recoat the pool with no sanding requirements for your Pool Guard EHB?

You can recoat a pool up to 72 hours without sanding. If win­dow is missed then sanding and/or a Muriatic acid wash must be done to “open” up the paint film for recoating.

9. Can you apply Pool Guard EHB over Pool Shield or Aqua Kote?

You cannot apply Pool Guard EHB over Pool Shield or Aqua Kote unless you put a primer on before.

10. Can I apply epoxy paint over chlorinated rubber paint or chlorinated rubber paint over epoxy paint?

Aqua Kote can be applied over anything, Pool Shield CRX over any chlorinated rubber paint, Pool Guard EHB over any epoxy paint. If you want to switch, you must use an epoxy primer first.

11. How long can I recoat the pool with no sanding requirements for your Pool Guard EHB?

You can recoat a pool up to 72 hours without sanding. If win­dow is missed then sanding and/ or a Muriatic acid wash must be done to “open” up the paint film for recoating.

12. Can I apply National products to a stainless steel or metal surfaced pool?

Yes. Only if you sand properly, as steel is a tough surface for ad­hesion for pool paints, then apply Pool Guard EHB.

13. How do I determine what type of paint is currently on my pool or spa?

Take a paint chip and dip it in a strong solvent (Xylene), and if it dissolves, it’s a chlorinated rubber paint, then use Pool Shield CRX to overcoat it. If the paint chip doesn’t melt, then it’s an epoxy paint, then use Pool Guard EHB.

14. Can the pool be shocked with chlorine immediately after refilling?

No. We don’t recommend chlorine shock at all to clean pools, but we do recommend chlorine-free shock.

15. Can I paint a Fiberglass diving board?

Yes. We recommend our Pool Guard EHB with 1 can of Non Skid additive (1 pound per gallon).

16. Can I apply National products over tile?

No. Our paint is not recommended over tile.

17. Can I coat over Sealers or Concrete Treated with Curing agents?

Clear sealers can be painted over if proper steps of washing with TSP & etching with Muriatic acid are adhered to.

18. Can I Apply National Products To Wood?

Yes, Deck Kote products can be applied to concrete, fiberglass & wood.

19. How Long Do I Have To Wait To Fill The Pool After I Paint? When Does The Pool Paint Cure?

You need to wait 5 days to fill the pool after painting to make sure the paint cures properly, & add 1 additional day for every day of rain.

20 Can I Use A Spray Gun To Apply National Products?

Yes, and details are on the label, buy a roller application is what is recommended (3/8’ nap roller), a good roller with a phenolic type core (not a card board interior).

21. What happens if it rains after I coat my pool?

Wait one extra day for every day of rain before refilling.

PRODUCT

22. What Pool Paint Is Best Suited For A Fiberglass Pool Application?

The only product we recommend for a fiberglass pool is our Pool Guard EHB high build epoxy pool paint.

23. Will the finish of my pool paint dull over time?

Typically, pool paint does dull slightly over time, due to the ef­fects of chlorine & UV sun. However, the coatings for National are loaded with UV stabilizers to slow down this effect.

24. What Pool Paint Is Best Suited For A Spa, Hot Tub Or Jacuzzi?

Due to high temperature of the water in a spa, Pool Guard EHB is the only coating we recommend.

25. How Can I Upgrade My Pool From A Chlorinated Rubber Finish To An Epoxy Finish?

You can prime your chlorinated rubber coated pool with our 2 Part water based Epoxy Primer and then topcoat with either Pool Guard EHB or Pool Guard. You can also apply Pool Shield and Pool Shield CRX without the water based epoxy Primer.

26. Is There A Non-Slip Product That I Can Use For My Deck Or Around My Pool?

Deck Kote is what we recommend, & you can add 1 lb. of non­skid to make the deck less slippery, especially when wet.

27. What Type Of Finish Will I Get With Pool Guard EHB?

You will get a beautiful tile-like finish. Pool Guard EHB formu­lation fills in hairline cracks if needed to give you a beautiful finish.

28. What Are The Primary Reasons For Unsatisfactory Product Performance?

The three main reasons for unsatisfactory product performance is the improper preparation of the pool, not following label di­rections correctly, & weather / moisture which effects proper curing of the paint.

29. What are the proper storage guidelines for National Paint?

Store in temperature of 50-90 degrees is ideal.

30. What can we do to make our pool like it’s plastered?

We recommend using Pool Guard EHB, which will give a tile like finish at a significantly less cost than plastering.

31. How many coats of paint do you recommend?

2 coats of paint are required and no primer (self-priming) is needed for a perfect paint job.

32. Can I use Deck Kote on my concrete driveway?

Yes, you can use Deck Kote on concrete driveways but definitely not on blacktops.

33. Are Dark Colors Such As Royal Blue and Black Recommended For Application Over The Entire Pool Surface?

No. For safety of children and for cleanliness, dark colors are not recommended for general use of swimming pools, only for striping.

24. What Causes Paint To Chalk Or Fade?

Chlorine Shock or UV Sun causes paint to chalk or fade. Na­tional uses UV stabilizers to slow down the effects of UV sun & chlorine shock.

25. How much square footage would I expect on 1st & 2nd coat?

The square footage is typically 300 square feet per gallon, with up to 50% less on the first coat to the second coat. This depends on how much the product is soaks into the surface, & how much paint is applied as well on the first coat.

36. How long does paint take to dry-to-­touch?

Typically a paint will dry in 4-6 hours, but can dry quicker de­pending on film thickness, temperature and humidity.

37. Are Custom Colors Available?

Yes, 140 custom colors are available for pool paint your coating needs. Look for the color chart online or give us a call.

38. Are National Products Available In Size Other Than Gallons?

All products are packaged in gallons which is the perfect size for refinishing your recreational swimming pool. 5 gallon cans are available for Commercial Pools.

COMPATIBILITY

39. Can National Products Be Used In Pools Using Salt Generation Systems?

Yes, Pool Guard EHB because it’s the only product that stands up to salt water generators.

40. Are your National Pool Paints Safe For Koi Ponds?

Yes. Pool Guard EHB Is always recommended, & is not toxic to fish.

41. Can I Use National Products For Potable Water Tanks?

No. The products are made for strictly swimming pools.

42. How do I repair my surface before painting?

If it’s a hairline crack, Pool Guard EHB will fill it in. If it’s a big­ger job then use a caulking agent Polyurethane Sealant, & if it’s a larger repair, a concrete repair is needed.

43. What is the proper surface preparation for the pool?

Surface must always be clean, dry and properly prepared prior to painting. Failure to do so will lead to eventually blistering and/or peeling. Previously painted surfaces should be Power Washed to remove loose paint or excessive chalking. Scrub the entire pool with a TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) solution to re­move all dirt, oils, loose or peeling paint, and chalk. All surfaces should then be acid etched with a 15-20% solution of Muriatic Acid to achieve a medium grade sandpaper finish on bare or plaster and to remove mineral deposits on previously painted chlorinated rubber surfaces. Neutralize/rinse with TSP. Before applying the paint, the pool must be completely dry.

44. How can I be sure the pool surface is dry prior to painting with a solvent base paint?

We recommend that you tape clear plastic on the vertical wall and if no condensation shows, then the pool is dry & ready for overcoating.

MIXING & THINNING

45. Are Epoxy Catalysts Interchangeable?

Mixing incompatible products or wrong catalysts with wrong bases will cause product failure.

46. Are National Products Tintable?

Yes, as long as you use universal oil-based tints.

Do I have to mix the entire kit of material at one time?

47. Yes, the entire contents of the product must be used once the Part A & the Part B are mixed together.

48. Do I have to mix the entire kit of material at one time?

No, you must mix a 1:1 ratio. Whatever you mix you must use at that time.

49. What Type Of Thinner Should I Use For The Epoxy Coatings?

Xylene or High Flash Naptha, which can be purchased at any local paint store or Home Depot/Lowes, etc. Thin with 5-10% as necessary for proper flow out of the rolling process.

DEFINITION

50. What Does “Pot Life” Mean For Epoxy Paints?

Once Part A and Part B are mechanically mixed together, “Pot Life” refers to the amount of time that the applicator has to work with epoxy paint before it begins to chemically cure and harden. Pot life is dependent on time and temperature.

51. What Does “Box” Mean?

To box a paint means To intermix several containers of paint together To achieve uniformity of color. However, it’s only pertains to the colors (Part A), not the activators (Part B).

52. What Does “Pot Life” Mean For Epoxy Paints?

It means the amount of time you have to use the paint before it hardens, usually is 4-6 hours depending on temperature.

53. What does VOC stand for and are your products VOC compliant?

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound, and all of our products are VOC compliant.