Designing A Dream Pool Area

Posted on: 30 September 2017

If you have a swimming pool slide, it is likely made from fiberglass. Fiberglass is commonly a strong material, but the gel paint can fade after constant use and weather exposure.

You don't have to buy a new slide when you discover fading paint, which makes sliding harder since the gel forms the slippery surface. Give your pool slide a facelift by following these steps:

Prepare to Paint the Slide

To paint the slide, gather:

• work gloves
• eye goggles
• drop cloths or plastic
• liquid dish soap
• scrub brush
• pressure washer
• screwdriver
• stir stick
• bucket
• 200-grit sandpaper and orbital sander 
• paint roller and brushes 
• marine fiberglass
• epoxy putty EP
• high-build epoxy paint or spray paint

Wear a respirator to avoid breathing fumes. Plan to paint on days with low humidity, temperatures between 50-90 degrees, and no rain for three days. Cooler weather will inhibit the speed of materials drying, which may cause peeling.

Clean and Sand the Slide

Wet the slide with the pressure washer set on 2000 PSI ( per square inch) and scrub the surface with the brush and dish soap. If the surface has heavy stains, use trisodium phosphate. Rinse, and let the slide dry. It is easier to paint the slide by removing the bolts with a screwdriver and laying it on a flat surface.

Lay plastic or drop cloth on the work area floor, and place painter's tape around metal parts of the slide. Repair small holes or cracks with the marine epoxy, and let it cure. Sand the areas on the back of the slide by hand, and sand the front surface with the orbital sander. 

Paint the Slide

EP paints or spray paints are formulated for fiberglass surfaces, and they should last several years. Mix the paint according to directions using a stir stick, and add water thin it slightly, if needed. Some paints may require you to add a methyl ethyl ketone catalyst.

Roll on the paint, and use a brush to reach tight areas. Don't make the layers too thin, but avoid making them too thick, which causes bubbling. To apply spray paint, hold the can several inches away from the slide, and move it left to right. 

If you add a second coat, wait fifteen hours for the first coat to dry, and paint the back of the slide. Wait three to five days before you use the slide. After the paint dries, remove the masking tape, and reinstall the slide. Contact a company like DESJOYAUX POOLS for more information and assistance.