Painting Pool Top Rail

(Rhonda)

Is there any way I can paint the top rail of an older pool. I think it's aluminum and it looks like there is rust coming through.

We haven't put the pool up yet and wanted to paint it if possible. If so what kind of paint would I use?

Thanks, Rhonda

Hi Rhonda

The best job I ever saw of painting above ground pool parts was a guy who took his uprights and top rails to a car painting shop. The shop was owned by his brother so the cost was not to bad. They sand blasted all the parts and painted them with automotive paint. They turned out looking like new.

I have seen many other paint jobs done with regular spray enamel after only a light sanding, most of these looked fine also. It just depends on how much work and money you want to put into it. Sandblasting and primer are the start to a real quality job but certainly not the only way to go.

For aluminum parts you may want to look into a rustolium type of paint. Something made to control rust on aluminum finishes.

Painting Pool Top Rail

by Bret
(Austin, TX)

The top rail of my above ground pool is looking weathered, and I would like to paint it. Can you recommend a paint and a technique for doing this?

Thanks!

Hi Bret

The best job I ever saw of painting above ground pool top rails was the guy who took all of his rails and top caps to an auto paint shop. The parts were sand blasted and professionally painted with auto paint. They turned out very nice.

One of the problems we have seen with people painting their top rails is not taking them off the pool first. This causes the decorative top caps to become glued to the top rails and presents problems when you need to take the pool apart to change a liner. The rails should be taken off the pool, sanded and cleaned, before painting.

Another problem we have with people painting their pools is not allowing the paint enough time to dry before having us out to install the new liner. Working with wet paint is messy and a good way to ruin a new paint job.

I would suggest taking the rails off the pool to paint and then using a high quality spray enamel. Be sure to allow plenty if time to dry before re-installing on the pool.

Painting an Above Ground Pool

by Becky
(Maine USA)

We have a 12yr old 27' above ground Aqua Leader Illusion pool that was given to us for free 3 years ago. It is in remarkable condition and we don't have any structural problems with it.

However, several men in the family suggested that if we painted the outside steel walls a dark color it would help to increase the heating potential. We have 2- 2'x 20' solar panels that do increase the temperature somewhat.

I have searched the internet off and on and can't find any reference to their suggestion. I am hesitant for two reasons...aesthetics and reaction of any paint to the walls. Is this something that is feasible and if so, do you have any advice on types of paints? My gut feeling; leave well enough alone, but would like your input.

Hi Becky

I doubt if painting the walls would make much difference heat wise. I have seen this done, but never to where the pool looks nice afterwards. If you currently have a nice looking pool I would leave it alone.

Most any type of enamel paint should bond well to the pool wall and frame parts and I have never heard of this hurting a pool in any way.

Another alternative to retaining the heat in the pool is a product called wall foam. It is installed between the liner and the wall and helps to insulate an above ground pool.