| OVERVIEW
Ramuc
Type EP Epoxy offers a hard, tough, durable finish,
providing unsurpassed stain, chemical, and abrasion
resistance for protection of concrete, plaster, gunite,
and fiberglass swimming pools and spas. This two-component
coating mixes to 1 gallon, produces a high gloss finish,
and offers excellent coverage rates. Type EP Epoxy,
has been a proven performer for more than 40 years,
and is recommended for spas or whirlpools. Because
of their chemical cure, epoxies are the paints of
choice for indoor pools. All epoxy films will chalk
(break down from the UV rays of the sun) over a period
of time. This is a natural degradation of the top
surface of the epoxy film.
For compatibility purposes, the existing paint on
previously painted surfaces of a pool or spa should
be determined before painting. If existing surface
is unknown, a sample should be submitted for testing
to determine the type of existing surface. Paint chips
can be taken to any Ramuc distributor/dealer to be
forwarded to the Ramuc laboratory for analysis.
Aged plaster should be checked for integrity. Check
for hollow or weak/crumbling plaster by using a ball-peen
hammer or any other comparable method. Perform repairs
to the plaster before painting.
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- Cleaning products:
Tri-sodium phosphate (TSP)1
Muriatic or sulfamic acid1 solution
High-pressure power washer (optional)
- Condensation test material:
Several two-foot square transparent pieces of plastic
duct tape
- Abrasion material used to create a medium grade
sandpaper profile for fiberglass surfaces or previously
painted epoxy surfaces:
Sandpaper #80 grit, power sander, or wire brush
- Painting supplies:
No larger than 3/8" nap mohair metal, lambskin,
phenolic core roller2
Paint brush for detailing2
5 gallon bucket for boxing (intermixing) paint
Mechanical mixer (this simply can be a paddle attachment2
to a power drill)
Ramuc Thinner or xylene for thinning paint, cleaning-up
tools and spills
- Joint or crack filler:
Hydraulic cement1 or Durathane polyurethane sealant
or any other submersible polyurethane sealant. Do
not use silicone-based products, as paint adhesion
will be adversely affected.
- Included in Ramuc Surface Preparation Kit
- Included in Ramuc Application Kit
The keys to a successful pool or deck paint job are
proper SURFACE PREPARATION AND CORRECT APPLICATION.
By following these simple 1-2-3 steps, you're ensuring
virtually maintenance-free paint service on your pool.
GENERAL SURFACE PREPARATION
Immediately after the pool is emptied, begin the
3-step process.
- STEP 1- Plaster, concrete, or gunite surfaces
should be tested for integrity and soundness. Pool
paint is not a Band-Aid for weak surfaces. Water
blast the surface to remove loose paint and dirt.
Care needs to be taken when recoating epoxy surfaces
to remove all tightly adhering residual chalk. Previously
painted epoxy or bare fiberglass surfaces need to
be abraded to a #80 grit profile. Then, scrub the
entire pool with a soap/tri-sodium phosphate (TSP)
solution to remove all dirt, oils, loose or peeling
paint, and chalk. Should any minor repairs need
to be made, such as hydraulic cement patch or crack
joint filling, do them at this time. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendations.
- STEP 2- All surfaces should then be acid etched
with a 15-20% solution of muriatic or sulfamic acid
to achieve a medium grade sandpaper finish on bare
concrete or plaster and to remove mineral deposits
on previously painted epoxy surfaces. Neutralize/rinse
with TSP and water.
CONDENSATION TEST- After all cleaning in completed,
allow the pool surface to dry.
Average dry times vary regionally and are dependent
upon the porosity of the surface. It is recommended
to wait five dry days and then perform a condensation
test to determine surface dryness.
To determine dryness, perform this simple test -
Duct tape 2' x 2' pieces of transparent plastic
to the deep end wall and floor, and on several other
areas of the pool. Wait three hours to determine
if condensation has formed underneath the plastic.
If condensation has formed underneath the plastic
then the surface is not dry enough to paint. Remove
the plastic and wait 24 hours to perform the test
again. Continue with the test until no condensation
forms underneath the plastic after the three-hour
wait period. This ensures the surface is dry enough
to apply epoxy paint.
MIXING THE PAINT -
Type
EP Epoxy is self-priming; no other type of primer
is recommended or should be used. Ramuc Thinner
can be used to thin paint by 10%.
a) Mechanically mix Part A for approximately 10
minutes.
b) Mechanically mix Part B for approximately 10
minutes.
c) Mechanically mix both Part A and Part B together
for approximately 15 minutes.
Allow the admixed paint to set for 15-30 minutes
(induction time) prior to use at 70º F. and
50% relative humidity. At 65º the induction
time is 60 minutes. Lower temperatures and higher
humidity will affect the final cure of the coating.
If mixing more than the one - 1 gallon kit at a
time, intermix the kits to ensure color uniformity.
Type EP has a pot life (use life) of 8 hours.
APPLICATION
- STEP 3- Use no more than a 3/8" nap mohair
metal lambskin, phenolic core roller. Apply at the
recommended coverage rate. Ideal air temperatures
for application are between 50º-90ºF.
Surface temperature should be at least 50ºF.
Do not paint when rain is imminent. Use dark colors
for accent painting only.
CURE RATES
Outdoor pool - 5-7 dry days
Indoor pool - 10-14 days
If rain occurs during the curing process, allow
an extra day of dry time for each day of rain. Rain
or moisture can cause blistering, color blushing,
and the finish could be altered.
Dry time to touch - 3 hours
To recoat - 12-72 hours
If second coat is applied beyond 72 hours, the first
coat must be abraded/sanded prior to applying second
coat.
Finish - high gloss, tile like
Primer - all Ramuc paints are self-priming
COVERAGE
175 - 200 sq. ft. on bare, sandblasted, or rough
surfaces.
400 - 450 sq. ft. on recoats
(actual coverage will vary and is dependent upon
the texture and profile of the surface)
Minimum dry film per coat - 1.7 mils dry (2.8 mils
wet)
Maximum dry film per coat - 2.0 mils dry (3.2 mils
wet)
Pot life - 8 hrs. (@ 70ºF and 50% relative
humidity)
Clean-up - Ramuc Thinner
TECHNICAL DATA
Weight/gallon - 11.8# mixed
Solids by weight - 73% ± 1% mixed
Solids by volume - 60% ± 1% mixed
V.O.C. - Does not exceed 336 g/l (admixed paint)
SPRAY INFORMATION
Conventional air - 50-70 p.s.i.
Tip size - .042 - .055 orifice
Airless - 2000 - 2300 p.s.i.
Tip size - .017 - .021
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
I. BLUSHING - FADING - CHALKING
The cause:
- The pool is filled too soon (see cure rates)
before the paint is completely cured, causing a
blush over the surface which looks like fading or
chalking.
- Super-chlorinated water may cause a "bleached-out"
look.
- The "shock" of calcium hypochlorite
can cause a white, bleached look to the paint film,
leaving a whitish deposit
- A chalky substance can be created by over treating
the water with shock, bromine, ozone and ionization.
It is not the paint breaking down. We suggest a
natural polymer product or clarifier that can reduce
the chalking problem.
- Iron in the water from rust in the filter system
may leave deposits and stain the film.
- All epoxies will chalk to some degree due to exposure
to UV rays of the sun.
The solution:
- Scrub surface using a solution of soap and water.
This will remove surface dirt and deposits.
- Wet with a weak (2-3%) solution of muriatic acid.
Acid will remove iron stains without damaging the
paint film.
- Solvent wipe affected areas with Ramuc Thinner.
- Check your pool water chemistry daily or weekly
for calcium hardness, total alkalinity, and balanced
pH.
- Extremely corrosive water can ultimately cause
deterioration or breakdown of a paint film over
a period of years.
- Be sure the newly painted pool surface dries
at least five dry, sunny days before filling.
II. BLISTERING
The cause:
- Using a nap roller larger than 3/8", draws
air into paint film
- Over application of paint beyond its recommended
coverage rate
- Painting on a damp surface
- Filling the pool before the paint is cured
- Incompatible paints
The solution:
- Apply at recommended coverage rates
- All paintable surfaces must be dry prior to painting
with epoxy
- Epoxy paint must cure for 5 dry days(outdoor pool),
and 10 days(indoor pool)
- If in doubt as to type of coating that is on the
pool now, take a paint chip to your local Ramuc
dealer for analysis.
|
