The Magic of Painting Metal Pool Coping
If you happen to be part of the small group of people who own an older pool with metal coping, you might be wondering if there’s a way to spruce it up. Well, good news – you absolutely can paint your metal pool coping and give it a fresh new look! This article will guide you through the process, sharing all the necessary steps and tips to ensure a successful transformation.
Understanding Pool Coping
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a moment to understand what pool coping actually is. In simple terms, it’s the finishing touch that caps the edge of a pool. While modern pools typically have coping made of concrete or stone, some older pools, like ours, have metal coping made of aluminum. Replacing this metal coping can be quite a daunting task, one that we’d recommend leaving to the experts to ensure it’s done right without causing any damage to the pool.
The Benefits of Painting Metal Pool Coping
If your pool has a vinyl liner, you may have noticed that the metal coping tends to deteriorate over time. To improve both the appearance and structural integrity of your pool, painting the metal coping is a fantastic solution. And here’s the best part – it’s a cost-effective alternative to replacing the coping and can buy you extra years before you have to replace your vinyl liner.
Step 1: Prepare the Pool Coping
To kickstart the painting process, you’ll need to prep the pool coping. Start by giving it a thorough scrub to clean the surface and remove any debris or loose paint. A simple scrub brush and a hose will do the trick. As for cleaning agents, it’s best to stick to pool-friendly options to avoid any mishaps. If there are stubborn areas with loose paint or compromised finish, you can lightly sand them using 120-grit and 220-grit sandpaper or an orbital sander. The goal here is to create a smooth and solid surface for the paint to adhere to. Once you’re done, make sure to wash off any sanding residue and allow the coping to completely dry before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Prime and Paint with Marine Paint
Now it’s time to bring in the marine paint! Rust-oleum produces a marine-grade primer and paint specifically designed for “above the water line” applications on boats. And if it can withstand the harsh conditions of the open sea, it’s more than capable of handling your pool coping. Apply a coat of primer followed by two coats of the topcoat, making sure to wait at least 24 hours between each coat. Remember, marine paint has a longer cure time, so patience is key here. If you’re worried about accidentally getting paint in the pool or on the vinyl liner, a clever trick is to slide a plastic wrap-covered sheet of card stock under the bullnose of the coping to act as a barrier. This will allow you to paint the area without any concerns.
Step 3: Wait and Celebrate!
Once you’ve completed the painting process, it’s time to exercise a bit of caution. Give the paint ample time to cure by waiting at least 48 hours after the final coat before resuming your regular pool activities. While the full cure time for the paint is 3 days, we understand that the excitement of a newly painted pool can be hard to resist. Rest assured, a little extra waiting time won’t do any harm. After all, the results will be well worth it!
The Results are In!
After investing 7 hours over 3 days to prep and paint approximately 200 linear feet of pool coping, we can confidently say that it’s a project worth undertaking. Even though we still have the old metal coping, it now looks significantly better and adds a touch of charm to our pool area. And the best part? The paint has been holding up beautifully against our kids’ epic cannonball contests. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome!
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
If you’ve used marine paint to revamp your pool coping or have any tips and tricks to share, we’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and let’s help each other out. Remember, we’re all in this together!
Paint Resources for Your Project
If you’re ready to embark on this exciting journey, here are some resources you might find helpful:
- Rust-oleum Marine Coatings Metal Primer: A high-quality primer specifically formulated for metal surfaces.
- Rust-oleum Marine Coatings Topside Paint: This versatile topside paint comes in various colors and finishes, allowing you to customize your pool coping’s look.
- No Cry Kneepads: Protect your knees and make a fashion statement with these highly-rated kneepads.
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Congratulations – You Made It!
You’ve reached the end of this article! If you enjoyed this topic, be sure to check out these other posts we think you’ll love:
- House Number Sign from a Wooden Spool
- Painting Ceilings is Super Fun (Sarcasm Alert)
- Shed Makeover and Tip for Picking Black Paint
Happy painting!
