Fiberglass Swimming Pool & Hot Tub
Gel coat Application

How to Apply Gel coat and Vinyl Ester Resin by Fibre-Shelkote Products, LLC

NOTE: These directions apply only to a fiberglass swimming pool or hot tub that was manufactured in a factory and dropped into the ground.

These directions do not apply to a swimming pool or hot tub that was re-surfaced with fiberglass. If your pool was previously re-surfaced, please visit our corporate web site at UGlassIt Pool Resurfacing, Inc. (www.uglassit.com) for complete instructions.

Fiberglass pool refinishing is always necessary after about 15-20 years of use. These pools are known for strength and durability, but eventually they will need some cosmetic help. Hot tubs and other fiberglass containments with heated water will need new gel coat (sometimes referred to as fiberglass pool paint) even sooner.

The "facelift" is a 8 step process which will restore the pool, spa, hot tub, or baptistery to its original beauty and watertight condition for many years to come.

Fiberglass Containments Only

Method 1 - Sand Blasting

Remove the existing gel coat, the outside color which is usually white or blue, by sandblasting (recommended), We recommend that you contact a professional sand blasting contractor for the gel coat removal on a swimming pool. We will provide to our customer, or the contractor, the following privileged information:
 

NOTE:
Sand blasting off gel coat on a swimming pool is not possible with inexpensive rental (Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.) sand blasters, however they do work on spa's, fiberglass steps, and hot tubs.

1. Remove all existing gel coat. Have contractor remove all blasting material when finished.

2. With a putty knife, fill any small holes or deep impressions with Fibre-Shelkote putty. Let dry, then lightly sand down the putty to contour of surrounding gel coat.

3. Clean the pool with water and let dry overnight.

The following steps must be completed the same day:

1. Wash down the surface with solvent immediately prior to the first application.

2. *Cut-in and roll-on single coating of vinyl ester resin. Cover the entire pool surface doing the walls first, then the flat bottom.

3. *Cut-in and roll-on the first coat of Fibre-Shelkote™ gel coat. Cover the entire pool surface doing the walls first, then the flat bottom.

4. As soon as the surface is completely dry with no tackiness (1-3 hours depending on temperature and direct sunlight), cut-in and roll-on the second coating of Fibre-Shelkote gel coat.

5. A third coating is optional but recommended for longer life expectancy, 16-20 years. 

Outdoor pools must remain empty to cure for 3 full days, indoor pools for 5 full days.

Method 2 - Hand Sanding

Hand sand the gel coat being careful not to miss anywhere, use an angle grinder with 24 grit sanding pads. A Dremel is useful for getting into the 90º angles and corners of the steps.

1. Clean the pool thoroughly with water and let dry overnight.

2. With a putty knife, fill any small holes or deep impressions with Fibre-Shelkote putty. Let dry, then lightly sand down the putty to contour of surrounding gel coat.

The following steps must be completed the same day:

1. Wash down the surface with solvent immediately prior to the  application of Fibre-Shelkote resin.

2. Roll-on a coating of Fibre-Shelkote resin to prepare the surface. Do the walls first, then the bottom. Wait until dry, but still a little tacky.

3. Roll-on the first coat of Fibre-Shelkote gel coat. Cover the entire pool surface doing the walls first, then the flat bottom.

4. As soon as the bottom is completely dry with no tackiness (2-3 hours depending on temperature and direct sunlight), roll-on the second coating of Fibre-Shelkote gel coat.

5. A third coating is optional but recommended for longer life expectancy, 16-20 years. 

Outdoor pools must remain empty to cure for 3 full days, indoor pools for 5 full days.

Call our office at 800-830-0501 to determine the exact amount of vinyl ester resin and swimming pool gel coat required for your pool, hot tub, sliding board, or baptistery.

The fiberglass containment (pool, hot tub, spa, etc.) must remain empty while the gel coat cures. Our gel coat dries quickly, so you won't need to worry about rain after it is dry. However, it does take between one and three hours to dry, so schedule the application accordingly.

Typical curing time is 3 days for outdoor pools and 5 days for indoor pools. Indoor pools should be ventilated during and after the application. After the surface has cured, fill the pool and that's it. It will look as good as the day it was brand new, and will not leak or stain for the next 12-20 years (depending upon number of gel coat coatings and chemical care).

Fibre-Shelkote™ gel coat is brilliant white, however it can be tinted to any of the colors shown on our color chart.

Always be careful when using an electric sanding device. Wear a mask and safety goggles when sanding, and gloves when using gel coat and acetone. A chemical mask is recommended when applying chemicals outdoors, and a respirator mask is recommended for indoor projects.

Never allow smoking anywhere near the pool during the application and (for indoor applications) during the curing period.

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