It is vital for coating durability that the instructions below are followed completely, if there is any doubt, we recommend calling Technical Support on 011 474 1900.

1. Allow the new cement (Gunite) to dry for a minimum of 5 - 6 weeks with good weather (no rain exposure). The moisture content must be checked with a moisture meter prior to painting and the moisture level must be below 10%. Another manner of checking for moisture is to adhere a transparent plastic film to surface with tape and check if there is any condensation that occurs as an indication of moisture after 3 - 4 hours during the middle of the day.
    
2. The surface then needs to be acid washed with Hydrochloric Acid (Pool Acid) in a mixing ratio of one (1) part undiluted acid to four (4) parts of water. Avoid skin or eye contact with the acid or the acid solution by using safety goggles and proper gloves and rubber boots.
    
3. Allow the acid solution to etch the surface. The surface will bubble and hiss in contact with the acid solution. Rinse the pool surface repeatedly to remove all traces of the acid. This will take time but must be done properly to ensure durability of the paint coating.
    
4. Test that all the acid has been removed from the surface using litmus paper. Allow the pool to dry completely after the acid wash following the method for checking moisture listed above. Once the moisture level is acceptable, the coating of surface can begin.
    
5. Painting should only be done during cooler times i.e. in the morning's and in the afternoons otherwise it can bubble due to evaporation of the solvents.
    
6. Apply the first coat using a block brush and dilute the first coat using Excelsior® RUBBER POOL COATING THINNERS. The dilution rate for the first coat is 5L of paint to 2.5L Excelsior® RUBBER POOL PAINT THINNERS. The first coat is the most important coat, and a visual inspection is recommended ensuring the coating has been worked into the surface properly. Allow the first coat to dry for minimum 48 hours.
    
7. Apply the second coat undiluted from the tin. Do not try to apply the second coat too thick, it is preferable to have many thin coats as opposed to a few thick coats. When applying subsequent coats, it is important any one area is not overworked as the top coats can cause the underlying coat to soften and dissolve from the solvent in the product lifting the underlying coat! Allow the second coat to dry for a minimum of 48 hours.
    
8. A third coat is recommended for high traffic areas (i.e. steps, cocktail seats etc.) following the same procedure as above. Allow the coating to cure for minimum of fourteen (14) days prior to filling the pool.€‹€‹€‹€‹€‹

When filling the pool it is recommended to fill at the deep end to allow the water to pool rather than the filling from the shallow end allowing the water to run from shallow to deep or a water jet hitting the new paint film. 

DIRECTIONS - PREVIOUSLY PAINTED POOLS