Can You Paint A Fiberglass Pool? (Find Out Now!)
Fiberglass pools have such a popular following. They are sturdier than typical vinyl or Intex. They also tend to work well with people who want to customize them with bells and whistles. As a person who gets the need to be customized, I understand the love people have for adding a coat of paint to their pool walls. We know it’s cool with concrete, but can you add flair to your fiberglass too?
Painting a fiberglass pool is absolutely doable, but you have to make sure that the paint you choose is friendly towards fiberglass. The only type of paint that you can use is epoxy pool paint. When choosing to paint your pool, make sure that you prep the area well. Otherwise, results won’t be ideal.
Choosing to tweak the look of a fiberglass pool is a great idea, provided that you do it right. If you want to make sure your pool looks stellar, check out our guide on how to paint it.
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Should You Paint A Fiberglass Pool?
I’ll be honest. A little bit of paint won’t hurt your fiberglass pool. If anything, it can help add a little layer of protection to it while balancing out your need for color. People love fiberglass pools that look well-kept. A good coat of paint will do that. It’s possible to paint both older and newer fiberglass pool interiors.
What Kind Of Paint Should You Use For A Fiberglass Pool?
Fiberglass is a very picky type of material, especially when you are working with pool fiberglass. You need to seek out epoxy paint as it’s literally the ONLY paint that is decent for this project. If you want to get the best possible results, go for epoxy swimming pool paint. This will have a great level of waterproofing, which bolsters your quality of workmanship.
How To Paint A Fiberglass Pool
Fiberglass painting is not something that you can just apply willy-nilly. You need to follow a procedure, ideally, one that will not make your pool look like a dumpster fire. Here’s how to do it:
- Drain your pool and give it a heavy cleaning. You should use trisodium phosphate to ensure that your pool is spotless. Some people use a mixture of dishwasher detergent and water as first pass, but honestly, most people can work well with several passes with TSP. Rinse the entire pool, and then wash it again. Scrub thoroughly, then rinse and drain it once more. You can’t be too careful with this part! Note: Please dilute the TSP and make sure to wear protective gear. Undiluted TSP is incredibly caustic and can burn you!
- Buff your fiberglass pool with 80-grit sandpaper. Wear protective coverings. When sanding, just give it a light scrape so that the paint can cling onto the walls of your pool. It doesn’t have to be too heavy. Rinse the fiberglass shavings off.
- Let your pool dry and then give it one last wipe down. You want to make sure that your pool will be spotless.
- Finally, give your pool two paint coats. You can use a brush for this. Make sure to tape off any parts that you don’t want to paint! When painting your pool, make sure to use long, even brush strokes. Give your pool four to eight hours to dry completely before you start with your second layer.
- Wait until the paint is completely dry before you try to fill the pool. You usually will need to wait 4 days to a week before you can add water to your pool. Make sure to keep your pool water slightly alkaline, with a pH of around 7.4. This will help protect your new paint job.
How Much Does It Cost To Paint A Fiberglass Pool?
Painting a fiberglass pool is something that can be pretty time-consuming, not to mention intimidating. If you are not up for the challenge, getting a pro to do it is best. Painting a fiberglass pool typically costs $1500 including labor, though there are some quotes that may be less as a result of fewer overheads.
It’s worth noting that some people will also have professionals fix nicks and cuts in the fiberglass when they decide to paint it professionally. This is actually a really good idea. Having a smoother, more fixed surface is a good choice and can potentially help your pool last longer.
With that said, fiberglass resurfacing options are plentiful. If you want a more “long term” solution, then you should try to seek out other options. Paint can only go so far, even if it does look pretty. You’ll thank me later.
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Related Questions
Can you paint a pool while it’s raining?
Though pool paints are made to be waterproof, the truth is that the waterproofing ability only can occur after it’s dry. You need to paint a pool during a dry day. If it starts to rain, then the paint is not going to stick the way it is supposed to. It may not even remain a solid color. If you want to make sure your paint stays intact, you will need to plan ahead and keep an eye on forecasts.
Do I need to add primer to fiberglass?
For the most part, the answer is no. Fiberglass is fairly smooth and is meant to be a grippy option. If your fiberglass is rough, then you may need to sand it down and add up to two layers of primer. Certain epoxy paints will tell you if they need a primer, so you definitely will be able to deduce what you should need.
What is the best type of primer to use on fiberglass?
Fiberglass is famous for having a problem with being picky on paint, and the same can be said about the materials that go on before the paint. If you want to primer your fiberglass, you only have two real options: urethane and epoxy. Marine epoxy primer is often a good choice, especially if you need to have something become waterproof.
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Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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