The most important aspect of coating a pool is surface preparation. Your new
coating will not adhere to even the slightest oily residue such as suntan
lotion, body oils, hair spray, algae or anything that comes between the pool
surface and the new coating. The best method for preparing your pool is
described in the following steps.

Washing Your Pool

Washing Your Pool is Important to Remove Any Existing Oil Residue
The best washing solution is OLYMPIC No. 910 Pool Washing Compound
(tri-sodium phosphate) mixed with warm water. NEVER use a soap-type
detergent. Soap products leave a soapy film on the surface which will result
in poor coating adhesion.

How to Wash Your Pool
Mix eight ounces of pool washing compound or tri-sodium phosphate to each
gallon of warm water. One gallon of this solution will wash approximately
200 square feet. Dip a long handled brush in this solution and firmly scrub
the pool surface in approximately 10 foot sections. Rinse off the residue
with clear water immediately after scrubbing. Be careful not to allow the
pool washing solution to dry on the surface. Always scrub the walls first
and the floor last. The next step is acid etching.

Acid Etching - for Bare Concrete and Plaster
Acid etching is required on bare masonry surfaces like concrete or plaster.
It is also effective for removing chalky residue and hard mineral deposits
on a previously coated pool. Acid washing opens millions of tiny pores which
allow the subsequent coating to penetrate, thus creating a secure cohesive
bond. Even on previously coated pools, we heartily recommend an acid wash.

NOTE: To prevent eye Injury, NEVER pour water Into acid. ALWAYS pour acid
into water and wear protective eyewear.

Mixing the Acid
Mix in a plastic bucket a ten percent solution of muriatic acid in water.
Most muriatic acid is packaged at 20% or 30% strength. One gallon of 30%
muriatic acid mixed with two gallons of water will yield three gallons of
ten percent solution. Likewise, one gallon of 20% muriatic acid mixed with
one gallon of water will yield two gallons of ten percent solution. One
gallon of the ten percent solution is sufficient for etching 100 square feet
of pool surface.

The Etching Procedure
Liberally brush the acid solution on the surface. The acid will bubble on
the surface when applied. As soon as this bubbling ceases, rinse the
solution off with clear water. The surface should feel like fine sandpaper
when properly etched. Splash a small amount of water on the surface to see
if it is sufficiently etched. If the water soaks in fairly quickly, the
surface is properly etched. If the water stands on the surface, another
etching will be required or switch to a stronger acid solution. It is of
utmost importance that you wash the pool again after etching. The tri-sodium
phosphate in the pool washing solution will neutralize all traces of acid
left on the surface after etching. After this second washing, allow the pool
to dry before coating. However, if you are using POXOPRIME II epoxy primer,
you may proceed with priming the pool. POXOPRIME II is compatible with wet
surfaces. Caution: Do not mix in a galvanized container.

Preparing Fiberglass Pools
To prepare a fiberglass pool for coating, sand the surface in straight lines
with coarse sandpaper. (Do not use an orbital sander.) This sanding will
create a mechanical bond for the epoxy coat. Once the fiberglass has been
properly sanded, perform the pool washing procedure as described before. No
acid washing is needed. Allow the surface to dry and you are ready to
resurface your pool.