APPLYING RUBBER-BASE COATINGS
Paralon 2, Optilon and SR Opticoat
The application procedure for PARALON 2 (chlorinated rubber) and OPTILON
(synthetic rubber) are identical. MAKE SURE THE POOL SURFACE IS 100% DRY. This is critical. Water trapped under the new film will eventually result in blistering as vapors try to escape. Spot prime any bare spots with the rubber-base coating. PARALON 2 and OPTILON are self-priming. Rubber-base finishes require two coats if best results are to be expected. If the surface is bare, thin the first coat 25% with No. 1108 SOLVENT or Xylol. Using a 9' roller with a 7/16" nap will provide excellent results. Ask for a roller cover with a solvent resistant core. Apply the first coat in a smooth even manner. Allow this first coat to dry before applying the second coat. The second coat should be applied at full strength. It is always best to start and finish coating in a corner if there will be periods when you are not working. This will prevent any roller marks that might occur.
Coverage: PARALON 2: 250 square feet average per gallon
OPTILON: 250 square feet average per gallon
SR OPTICOAT: 250 square feet average per gallon
Curing schedule before filling pool: Average 5 days minimum depending on temperature
Surface Preparation
The most important aspect of coating a pool is surface preparation. Your new coating will not adhere to even the slightest oily residue such as suntan
lotion, body oils, hair spray, algae or anything that comes between the pool
surface and the new coating. The best method for preparing your pool is
described in the following steps.
Washing Your Pool is Important to Remove Any Existing Oil Residue
The best washing solution is OLYMPIC No. 910 Pool Washing Compound
(tri-sodium phosphate) mixed with warm water. NEVER use a soap-type
detergent. Soap products leave a soapy film on the surface which will result
in poor coating adhesion.
How to Wash Your Pool
Mix eight ounces of pool washing compound or tri-sodium phosphate to each
gallon of warm water. One gallon of this solution will wash approximately
200 square feet. Dip a long handled brush in this solution and firmly scrub
the pool surface in approximately 10 foot sections. Rinse off the residue
with clear water immediately after scrubbing. Be careful not to allow the
pool washing solution to dry on the surface. Always scrub the walls first
and the floor last. The next step is acid etching.
Acid Etching - for Bare Concrete and Plaster
Acid etching is required on bare masonry surfaces like concrete or plaster.
It is also effective for removing chalky residue and hard mineral deposits
on a previously coated pool. Acid washing opens millions of tiny pores which
allow the subsequent coating to penetrate, thus creating a secure cohesive
bond. Even on previously coated pools, we heartily recommend an acid wash.
NOTE: To prevent eye Injury, NEVER pour water Into acid. ALWAYS pour acid
into water and wear protective eyewear.
Mixing the Acid
Mix in a plastic bucket a ten percent solution of muriatic acid in water.
Most muriatic acid is packaged at 20% or 30% strength. One gallon of 30%
muriatic acid mixed with two gallons of water will yield three gallons of
ten percent solution. Likewise, one gallon of 20% muriatic acid mixed with
one gallon of water will yield two gallons of ten percent solution. One
gallon of the ten percent solution is sufficient for etching 100 square feet
of pool surface.
The Etching Procedure
Liberally brush the acid solution on the surface. The acid will bubble on
the surface when applied. As soon as this bubbling ceases, rinse the
solution off with clear water. The surface should feel like fine sandpaper
when properly etched. Splash a small amount of water on the surface to see
if it is sufficiently etched. If the water soaks in fairly quickly, the
surface is properly etched. If the water stands on the surface, another
etching will be required or switch to a stronger acid solution. It is of
utmost importance that you wash the pool again after etching. The tri-sodium
phosphate in the pool washing solution will neutralize all traces of acid
left on the surface after etching. After this second washing, allow the pool
to dry before coating. However, if you are using POXOPRIME II epoxy primer,
you may proceed with priming the pool. POXOPRIME II is compatible with wet
surfaces. Caution: Do not mix in a galvanized container.
Commercial Pool:
- Commercial pool specialist
- We have the best, most knowledgeable customer service of any pool company in the nation.
- We mix and blend many of our own chemicals.
- We are a commercial pool service company.
- We deliver bulk chemicals with our own trucks.
- We send out a 168 page commercial pool maintenance supply catalog nation wide.
- We have one of the largest commercial pool customer bases of any pool company in the nation.
Have a question about this product?
Call our customer service department at 1-877-842-4455.