pool painting? - Paint Talk

Kelly Painting · 07-22-2008, 07:59 PM

Alright..... was asked to paint a pool.. actually, I was the only one who would even give this guy the time of day. He was wandering around my paint store and I was the unfortunate one getting paint at the time. He explained that Sherwin Williams didn't help him..and everyone he asked said no. He's around 80 yrs old.I told him that I've never painted a pool and wouldn't know where to start, and I am not familiar with the prep or the products...He then handed me a Ben Moore flyer showing pool paint. I was shocked.... so I called my rep
and he said he would look at it. I went there today and it was full of water..lol..I said just wait a minute for me to get my snorkel and Finns....
I called the rep back and he said to have it drained before he comes..... the guy said he wanted it done in August and would like to drain it then, But he would like an estimate now.......

here's the description.... any help would be great.

It's a pool that has a concrete base, And a fiberglass layer on top of that. I'm guessing that its got some kind of a coat on it because he handed me a chip. So there is a few spots that need scraping, and then just cleaned Maybe primed and top coated...and a few spots that need caulk...where the fiberglass meets the side of the pool. So basically it's cosmetic, there is no issues with leaking or anything else... anyone ever done this before?

how do I clean it? Is primer needed?..oil or latex?
Ya I know the rep is coming, but not until August.

YubaPaintPro · 07-22-2008, 08:12 PM

Hey there,
pool painting is actually ALL about prep. I don't have the time now to get into it, but Rustoleum's 9100 product line is awesome and has an immersion activator that has worked for years.

Another company that makes an outstanding product is Gulf Coast. They have a line, GC15. Both are 2 part epoxies and both will fade and chalk if not topcoated w/ a urethane.

Wolverine I would think has a product also. Good luck and bid high!!!

Brian · 07-22-2008, 08:34 PM

I'd run faster than if Rosanne Barr were chasing me.

You aren't familiar with the products or the process. This is a disaster waiting for someone to get it started. I've had a few projects where I bit off more than I could chew, and I wound up choking.

I'm sure that there are companies that do this. If you want to help the customer, find one. But I wouldn't put a quart of paint on this project.

Brian Phillips

Kelly Painting · 07-22-2008, 08:57 PM

Ya, Thats all I've been thinking....I even said that.."Don't pool company's supply that service?...Bit if Ben Moore sells the product..And stands behind it, shouldn't I be capable of applying it? Wouldn't it be a good lesson to learn?

I've already explained that I will only follow the reps instructions....And told the rep it's all on him.

Also, He sounds desperate enough to pay for the level of aggravation I'm going to charge him.

vermontpainter · 07-22-2008, 09:38 PM

[quote=Kelly Painting;32793]Ya, Thats all I've been thinking....I even said that.."Don't pool company's supply that service?...Bit if Ben Moore sells the product..And stands behind it, shouldn't I be capable of applying it? Wouldn't it be a good lesson to learn?

Could be a painful lesson. If you dont need the work, I would run faster than Brian being chased by Rosanne.

I've already explained that I will only follow the reps instructions....And told the rep it's all on him.

The cranky old man will call you when something goes wrong. Its not on the rep.

Also, He sounds desperate enough to pay for the level of aggravation I'm going to charge him.

Desperation sometimes converts to budget. Not always. I have an exterior lined up for a 72 year old man. I can tell you that that generation has a different concept of what things should cost. They dont part with money easily.

Kelly Painting · 07-22-2008, 10:00 PM

Ya, your making me think now....

vermontpainter · 07-22-2008, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Painting

Ya, your making me think now....

Seriously, my 72 year old customer was considering doing the low stuff himself to save a few bucks...yikers

NEPS.US · 07-22-2008, 10:14 PM

Run Forest ...RUN!!!!!!

**daArch** · 07-22-2008, 10:17 PM

Back in about 72ish, we were hired by a pool maintenance co to drain and paint pools. All they supplied was the paint. If I remember correctly Koppal was the brand (or something similar). We bought the 18" rollers and the tray and obviously had some scrapers.

We had NO IDEA what we were doing. We wuz 23 and trying to make a little beer money. Who knows how long the paint lasted, who knows how long the company, Aquanautics, lasted. The owner was a kid also, fresh out of BU and living at his parents' house.

We showed up at a job site (usually a motel or a second rate athletic club), pump the pool dry, scrape a few loose spots and paint as fast as we could. No wash, no patch, no conscience.

Hmmmmm, no wonder my Karma ain't the best

Kelly Painting · 07-22-2008, 10:28 PM

http://www.marc1.com/pool1.htm

timhag · 07-22-2008, 10:33 PM

The best way to paint a pool is to fill it with proper product then drain.

HomeGuardPaints · 07-22-2008, 10:36 PM

i'm sure you can find out how to do it, but make it worth your while. If he can't get anyone to give him the time of day then you sirm, are in demand and as we all know : As demand rises so does cost because supply is falling. Pick a ridiculous number and if you get it cool if not you havn't lost anything.

**daArch** · 07-22-2008, 10:41 PM

That don't sound like a one man job.

Gee, I wonder what home owner would be willing to pay for stripping all the paint off a pool every fourth coat ? Especially the ones who want Behr used on their house ???

Yes, as the great and wonderful neps said:

Quote:

Run Forest ...RUN!!!!!!

Kelly Painting · 07-22-2008, 10:48 PM

That was actually going to be another post...... I'm just about booked for the summer months already...I'm starting to think that I should inflate my bids from this point on...whats to lose? why overbook unless it's worth my while?

ibsocal · 07-23-2008, 01:00 AM

This is a easy job,no need to run.i did a medium sized pool by myself at a apartment complex.it was fiberglass lined and had many areas in need of repair due to delamination and the tile above the water line was also painted.wash pool with TSP.pump out standing water and dry it out.patch large areas with glass/resin on smaller patches use bondo glass long or short hair,short hair easier to use.feather sand rough spots patched and pole sand all areas 80 grit.remove all dust/debris wipe down with denatured alcohol and apply a coat of dura seal 520 one coat 2 part epoxy to the fiberglass.on the tile above the water line i applied a coat of epoxy barrier coat and top coated with 2 coats of linear polyurethane.3 years later and lots of chlorine and use it sill looks great.

it gets hot when working on a white pool so us dark sunglasses or a tarp for shade.

i charged them 2500 bucks for about 3 days and i sprayed airless and turbine hvlp.

no biggie.

tsunamicontract · 07-23-2008, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

I'd run faster than if Rosanne Barr were chasing me.

You aren't familiar with the products or the process. This is a disaster waiting for someone to get it started. I've had a few projects where I bit off more than I could chew, and I wound up choking.

I'm sure that there are companies that do this. If you want to help the customer, find one. But I wouldn't put a quart of paint on this project.

Brian Phillips

Although this is a safe strategy, how are we ever going to learn new processes and add to our services? How would we ever learn anything ever if we are always afraid of failure?

Housepainter · 07-23-2008, 02:50 AM

Kelley

I do have a pool and have repainted mine. The prep is key. However I do not or would not repaint one for someone else. UNLESS they were really willing to pay for the prep and finish coats that will last. I have used paints designed for pools, most will not stand up to the chemicals and pit and bubble-up. There are some finishes that you can order, that are multiple step. They do last if applied correctly. However the local pool supplier here in town tells me .... if they do not last... the reps will say the installer made the whoops...

So I guess I would not take it!!!!

NACE · 07-23-2008, 07:23 AM

Whatever you do, insure that what is currently on the wall is compatible with what you are using. Epoxies are not compatible with Rubber based pool paints or vice versa. Test with solvent. Acid wash is usually the first step. Rep sells the paint, painter gets paid to be the pro to put it on. How is the rep responsible for the 10-12% of the job that his product is involved with?

Brian · 07-23-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsunamicontract

Although this is a safe strategy, how are we ever going to learn new processes and add to our services? How would we ever learn anything ever if we are always afraid of failure?

That is a legitimate question, and in general I am eager to try something new.

But a pool is not a house. It is a completely different type of substrate and it is subjected to completely different conditions. Without a good understanding of the products and the preparation, Kelly could be setting himself up for some real problems.

There are plenty of houses to paint. I don't think we need to be running around looking to paint everything. I certainly wouldn't want to start painting automobiles.

My resonse wasn't intended to play it safe. It was intended to be prudent-- we must recognize what we don't know. If Kelly were looking to expand his business in this direction, it would be one thing, but he hasn't indicated that.

One of the big reasons I think it is prudent to run is the question of how to price the job. In similar situations I've thought I padded the bid to the extreme, only to learn that I hadn't. By then it was too late. There are too many unknowns for me to be comfortable.

Brian Phillips

tsunamicontract · 07-23-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

There are plenty of houses to paint. I don't think we need to be running around looking to paint everything. I certainly wouldn't want to start painting automobiles.

Brian, I can always count on you to make a good point.
I guess Kelly would need to decide if this is a service they may like to offer, and if there is a market for it that would make it worthwhile. If there are no other contractors offering this service in Kelly's area, it might be something to consider; as a one man show, is it practical to expand the services offered? So I guess it would be up to Kelly then which way they would want to go with their business.
I had a client that had a remodeling project completed (that I painted) and had a small section of vinyl tile floor that lacked luster after the plumbers and electricians and everyone else scuffed it up. They are my favorite customers so I am willing to go the extra mile for them; I went to the local commercial cleaning store, found out what to use and how to do it, and refinished their vinyl floor. Looks great, they are very very pleased with it (and will probably have me do more some time) and it really wasn't that hard if you can find out what and how to do it. That being said, no one else as asked the painter to refinish their floors.