APPLYING LIFEGUARD POOL PAINT 720 - 730 - 740

This application instruction sheet has been prepared for use with all Life Guard Pool Paint products on properly prepared surfaces. Please read this document in its entirety before proceeding. Never apply below 50F, above 85F, in hot direct sunlight, when humidity is above 75% or when rain is forecast within 48 hours. Most applications are by roller-coat, however brush and spray applications are acceptable. Recommend applying one coat of primer with two coats of pool paint. We recommend using 3/8” non-shedding roller cover on smooth surfaces, use higher nap covers on rough surfaces. When using over previously applied coatings we recommend doing a test area before committing to the entire project to prevent potential compatibility issues. New concrete, plaster and masonry and similar surfaces should be allowed to cure a minimum of thirty days before application. The maximum level of hydrostatic pressure is 4.0 LBS. To avoid vapor transmission or hydrostatic pressure resulting in adhesion issues we recommend establishing the actual level of hydrostatic pressure by utilizing the VaporGuage Calcium Chloride moisture test, or its equivalent. Where hydrostatic pressure is found to be unacceptably high we recommend using LG-104 Seal-it! Deep Penetrating Sealer according to label directions. Retest after application to confirm acceptable levels of hydrostatic pressure have been achieved. When applying primer or paint over previously applied pool paint we recommend doing a test area before committing to the entire project to prevent possible compatibility issues. All applications will require the removal of all grease, oil and contaminates and the use of LG-695 Etching Cleaner, muriatic acid or the equivalent according to industry standards. For best results we recommend removing existing paint, coatings or sealers. Recoat time is typically 24-48 hours, sand between coats after 48 hours. All recommendations, written and verbal advice, these directions, label instructions and standard industry practices must be strictly adhered to or Limited Warranty is voided. Refer elsewhere on this for specific information about Seal-it! Deep Penetrating Sealer and VaporGauge Moisture Test Kits.   

Preparation. Begin by draining the pool or pond, removing all loose debris. When preexisting paint is present your first step should be to establish how many coats of paint are present. The best way to do that is to remove a chunk of the old coating with a knife blade and count the layers of old paint. When four or more layers of old paint are present stripping is the industry standard, thus required. 

Schedule your project carefully. All surfaces to be repaired or painted must be allowed to dry thoroughly before application. Wait until there is no sign of moisture before moving forward. As necessary tape off the tile band, lights and fittings with masking tape to prevent unwanted paint on lights, threads, tile or fittings. Check the weather report carefully for rain, high humidity or high winds. When there is a chance of rain, you will want to wait until the forecast allows sufficient low humidity, clear, dry warm weather to prime or paint. Do not apply repair material, primer or paint to wet surfaces. Our product performance guaranty and Limited Warranty are voided when Life Guard Pool Paint Products are applied to wet surfaces and when rain, high humidity or vapor transmission corrupt the uncured finish.

Make your repairs. Begin by power-washing all pool surfaces thoroughly. Inspect the entire surface carefully to locate areas in need of repair. Tap the surface with a ball peen hammer at regular intervals. When tapped with a hammer unsound areas will sound differently than sound areas. Mark any unsound areas with a marking pen for easy identification. All repairs should be completed and allowed to cure prior to sanding, blasting, grinding or application. Sanding, grinding or blasting is beneficial but often not required where circumstances and conditions permit, you must be the judge, consider carefully before proceeding. When selecting your repair materials be sure to choose submersible and paintable calking, fillers and patching materials. When cracks are present they must be cut out with a diamond blade saw or grinder. Cut or grind the cracks out a minimum of 1/4” deep and ¼” wide. Chip out any divots or loose cement. Fill or caulk the cracks and divots. Larger repairs should be filled with hydraulic cement according to manufacturer’s directions. Recommend sanding the entire surface to be painted with 150 grit sandpaper, or blasting. Clean up all loose debris and rinse before moving forward.  

Clean / Seal. LG-695 Etching Cleaner achieves results equal to muriatic acid however it is considerably easer to use, safer in the drains and flower beds. It removes leaching lime, contaminates, grease, oil and corrects the Ph, opening the pores improving adhesion. Some recommend TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate), however, detergents including TSP can inhibit the adhesion of paint when not completely removed so if you use it be sure to rinse carefully and thoroughly, preferably with a power washer before moving on. Apply LG-695 Etching Cleaner according to label directions and rinse thoroughly. Repeat this step when evidence of stubborn oil, stains or wax is evident. Rinse the entire pool, skimmers, fittings, lights, and stairs completely. Where there is evidence (or the suspicion) of vapor emission or hydrostatic pressure we recommend using LG-104 Seal-It! Deep Penetrating Sealer to permanently seal the substrate.

Select the right primer and sundries. For best results apply one coat of the recommended Life Guard Primer. We recommend priming all bare concrete, plaster and steel, with either LG-664 Etching Primer, LG-715 Chloro-Prime or TS-6390 Ever-Last Epoxy Primer. Prime aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, vinyl, plaster and Gunnite surfaces with LG-664 Etching Primer.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: LG-664 Etching Primer is porous. It can pick up atmospheric moisture or moisture within the substrate. Extra care must be taken to be sure it is thoroughly dry at time of application or paint may fail to properly adhere to it! We do not recommend LG-664 Etching Primer on porous substrates.

Applying Primer. Carefully schedule your primer and paint. WARNING: Primer can harbor moisture! Prime or paint only after the dew has lifted, primer has thoroughly dried, and before the temperature reaches 85F. Do not apply when the temperature is below 55F, above 85F or when humidity will be above 75% or in hot direct sunlight. Stir thoroughly before application. Dilute with recommended thinner only as needed. We recommend 3/8” non-shedding roller covers for smooth surfaces, increase roller nap as on more heavily textured surfaces. Apply primer evenly avoiding heavy build up. Recommend Hand brushing the edges then rolling the remaining areas. Adhere to recommended WFT (Wet Film Thickness) posted on label. See label for recoat times. Typically only one primer coat is required however multiple coats may be applied according to individual requirements. Sanding between coats is not required when recoated within 48 hours. Read and follow primer label directions carefully.

Applying Paint. Apply paint only after the dew has lifted, primer has thoroughly dried, and before the temperature reaches 85F. Do not apply when the temperature is below 55F, above 85F, when humidity will be above 75%, or when rain is in the forecast within 48 hours. Where desired add ½ pint TS-160 A/H to one gallon of paint. Dilute with recommended thinner only as needed. Stir again thoroughly. Paint may be brushed, rolled or sprayed. Film build is better with roll coat applications, which is usually preferable. Brush the edges, fittings and hard to reach areas then roll coat the remainder. Apply evenly always keeping a wet edge which prevents lap marks. More than one painter may be necessary to keep a wet edge. Apply evenly avoiding heavy build up. Allow 24 hours or more, depending on weather, color and mitigating circumstances, for the first coat to dry then apply the second coat. Apply subsequent coats within 48 hours or sand between coats. Actual dry, cure and re-coat times may be extended depending on application method, application techniques utilized, color and weather conditions.  

Dry and Cure Time. Life Guard Pool Paint Products must be allowed to dry and cure completely before filling pool with water. Allow a minimum of 7 full days before filling your refinished pool. Allow additional cure time for MT color (dark colors) and low temperatures. The first 48 hours is moisture critical! You must keep uncured paint dry for 48 hours minimum. When unforeseen rain or moisture wets the painted surface before the 7 day cure time, immediately remove standing water using a sponge or mop. Use a leaf blower to dry the uncured painted surface. Add a minimum of two days to the total cure time which will provide adequate time for an acceptable cure before filling. Fill the pool without stopping until the pool is full. Restart the pool filtration system once the pool has been completely filled. Adjust the total alkalinity and calcium hardness levels to a minimum of 150 PPM. Resume your normal chemical maintenance program.

NOTE: Never apply Lifeguard Paint products on substrates exceeding 4 LBS hydrostatic pressure. Dry and cures time vary with the weather, temperature, ventilation or thickness of application. Allow extra dry and cure time for dark colors. Protect your investment, blistering is typically the result of uncured paint being contaminated by water! Contact us for further information at 360-651-9050 M-F 9 AM to 5 PM PST. Lifeguard Paints are manufactured by Top Secret Coatings Inc, Arlington WA. USA