How to Paint Pool Coping

An outdoor pool.
What You'll Need
Painter's tape
Paintbrush
Paint roller
Paint tray
Liquid soap
Warm water
Mop
Sponge
Scrub brush
Wire brush
Epoxy paint
Bucket
Broom and dustpan
What You'll Need
Painter's tape
Paintbrush
Paint roller
Paint tray
Liquid soap
Warm water
Mop
Sponge
Scrub brush
Wire brush
Epoxy paint
Bucket
Broom and dustpan

If your swimming pool's pool coping has begun to fade or chip, you should consider giving it a fresh paint job. Lest you be deterred by the perceived difficulty of this task, you'll be pleased to know that pool coping can be successfully painted in just a few simple steps.

Step 1 - Clean Your Coping

Before proceeding to paint your pool coping, you will need to give it a vigorous cleaning. Begin the process by using a broom and dustpan and sweep any dust off the coping. Once your coping is completely dust-free, combine mild liquid soap and warm water in a clean bucket. Apply your homemade cleaning solution to your coping with the aid of a sponge, scrub brush or mop, and proceed to give the coping a vigorous scrubbing. If your coping has any caked-on stains, you may need to use a wire brush in place of the aforementioned cleaning tools.

Once the coping has been successfully cleaned, rinse off your cleaning solution with a spray bottle full of warm water. Dry the coping with a clean cloth. Make sure your coping is completely dry before moving on. To ensure that the coping stays dry, avoid using your pool at any point during this process.

Step 2 - Prep Your Paint

Start this step by placing painter's tape along the edges of the pool coping, sealing off the surrounding areas and protecting them from paint drips. If you really want to err on the safe side, you may want to place a cover over the water-filled portion of your pool to prevent any paint from finding its way into the water. Next, pour your epoxy paint into a paint tray and apply some to your paintbrush or paint roller. Do not overload the brush or roller to keep from causing paint drips.

Step 3 - Paint Your Coping

Once you've loaded up your brush or roller, begin applying your epoxy paint to the pool coping in smooth, even strokes. When performing this step, take care to keep an eye out for paint drips and, should you encounter any, make sure to smooth them out immediately before they have a chance to dry with the rest of the paint. After applying your initial coat of paint, allow it to dry for the amount of time specified on the paint's packaging. Once the paint has been given ample time to dry, apply a second coat in the exact same fashion as the first. If need be, apply a third coat after the second coat has fully dried.

Make sure to remove your painter's tape within 24 hours of applying your final coat of paint. Additionally, avoid using your pool for several days following the paint application to ensure that water isn't splashed onto your freshly painted coping.