Chlorinated Rubber Paint (or just pool paint or rubber paint) is often considered for use in pools. So what is it, and how does it compare with fluoropolymers and epoxies?
Usually, it’s thought of as being flexible and as its low cost, a good choice for pools. In fact, it’s softer than epoxies and is re dissolvable in aromatic solvents such as acetone or xylene. Such paint does offer good chemical resistant to some chemicals (acids and alkalis) and this is its main use currently such as on steel work, tanks and boats. It’s a very old formulation, developed towards the end of World War II. Also, they tend to lose gloss and yellow over time. Chlorinated Rubber is not flexible as with elastomeric coatings such as acrylics, and therefore will not bridge moving cracks on a pool surface. They can be made somewhat softer – flexible, but pick up dirt, and thus this type are not used in pools. They are “thermoplastic” in that they soften with heat, compared to epoxies which are “thermoset” and do not soften with heat.
Chlorinated Rubber being a single component paint is solvent based, is very flammable and has a strong smell as it’s about 50 % solvent.
It can only be successfully applied on completely dry surfaces away from direct sunlight and in generally moderate temperatures. Usually 3- 4 coats are required, and it will last on average 2 years. This paint is not easy to apply and suffers from blisters and poor adhesion if application conditions are not absolutely right. It means having a long window of fine warm weather to apply followed by a 7 – 14 day cure period.
After 2 years or so it will be chalky, often faded and may present a powdery surface which comes off in the pool water, leaving a cloudy appearance.
Though the material cost may be about 40 – 50% of fluoropolymers or a good hi build epoxy, its application difficulties and short performance make it an unsuitable material for use in pools when a low maintenance, long-lasting finish is required
In addition, once used, when you want to change over to a longer lasting product such as fluoropolymers the rubber paint all need to be removed as not compatible and this may incur substantial additional costs by way of abrasive blasting.
Chlorinated rubber paint is still used in school and community pools where they have an annual maintenance budget to pay for the annual upgrade, though many are moving to a longer lasting epoxy when finances allow for the expensive changeover. But now with introduction of fluoropolymers Chlorinated rubber paints will be seen on fewer pools indeed.
If you need further guidance contact Hitchins TechnologiesPty Ltd