GUIDELINES
FOR PROPER USE OF DURA-BOND

Coating a swimming pool with Dura-Bond is a three-step process: 
(printable version)

A) Prepare the swimming pool's surface 
B) Prepare Dura-Bond for use 
C) Application of Dura-Bond coating 

A) Preparing the swimming pool's surface:

The importance of properly preparing the surface to be coated cannot be overemphasized. It is the critical first step necessary to insure a beautiful, long-lasting finish.

  1. For pools previously painted with either an epoxy or rubber base paint, it is first necessary to pressure wash the surface at a minimum pressure of 3500 psi. A thorough pressure wash should remove all loose or peeling material from the pool's surface. 
  2. Irregular surface areas should be sanded to blend them into the surrounding area. 
  3. If any bare spots are uncovered during steps 1 and 2 above, they should be acid-etched with a solution of at least I part acid to 3 parts water. When mixing this solution, always add the acid to the water, never add the water to the acid. Be sure to use a clean plastic bucket and never use a galvanized or other metal container. When working with acid always use the proper safety equipment including rubber gloves, slip- resistant boots and safety goggles. A respirator is necessary unless adequate ventilation can be provided. Avoid contact of the acid solution with the skin and eyes. In the event of accidental skin or eye contact flush the exposed area with water and, especially for eye contact, seek prompt medical attention. 
  4. For plaster pools, the entire surface must be acid- etched as in step 3 before proceeding. Brush the acid solution on the plaster until the surface feels gritty and rough, if after the first acid wash the surface is still smooth, repeat until you have a rough surface. 
  5. Following acid-etching, the pool should be completely rinsed with water and any remaining acid solution should be disposed of and/or neutralized according to local regulations or environmental requirements. 
  6. Next, the pool's surface must be thoroughly cleaned. Scrub the walls and floor with either a solution of water and tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) or a common household cleanser such as Ajax. Rinse the surfaces completely with water removing all traces of the cleaning agent. 
  7. For previously painted or older well-etched plaster pools no primer coat is required; proceed to part B, Preparing Dura-Bond For Use. For relatively new or very smooth plaster a primer coat is recommended to better penetrate the plaster.
  8. The most common failure of painted pools is blistering or more commonly called, bubbles. This is caused by moisture or water penetrating through the granite and plaster from the exterior of the pool and getting behind the paint, causing the paint to lift, creating blisters/bubbles. Delta Coatings has developed a concrete sealer to stop the water from penetrating from the exterior. DURA-SEAL is definitely recommended for first time painted pools. (See Page 8) 
  9. The second most common failure is peeling, this is caused by the pool surface being too smooth and not allowing the paint to get a good bond to the surface. In this situation, we recommend the use of DURA-BOND PRIMER to better penetrate the smooth plaster. In most cases the first coat of DURA-BOND can be applied the same day as DURA-BOND PRIMER. 
  10. To prep a FIBERGLASS pool, sand the surface by hand or use a vibrator sander, always going in a straight up and down direction. After sanding" wash pool with tri-sodium or Ajax to clean or remove surface of all oils. Rinse good. No primer is needed. 
  11. For new or unpainted METAL pools, wash with vinegar, this will remove any oils that may be in or on the metal. No primer is needed. If pool previously painted, sand and remove all loose paint, then wash as above. 

B) Preparing Dura-Bond for Use

  1. Dura-Bond part A and Dura-Bond part B must each be thoroughly mixed in their own factory one gallon cans prior to use. Use separate wooden mixing sticks for this purpose, ) labeled " A " and "B " so that they are not interchanged. If a power mixer is used, it should be only used on a slow setting. As with wooden sticks, use separate paddles for part A and for part B. It is important that no A and B are mixed together at this point. 

  2. While not required, for optimum results and to achieve the most consistent finish, DURA-BOND should be "batched." This step can be especially important on the final coat. Determine how much Dura-Bond will be required for each coat. Expect an average coverage of about 300 ft. gal; less coverage for the first coat and greater coverage for the second. Remember that coverage can vary significantly depending on surface conditions; be sure there is enough Dura-Bond on hand to do the entire job. Mix all of the Dura-Bond part A you will need for the final coat in a large plastic bucket. Do the same with Part B, being careful not to combine any A and B at this point.

C) Application of Dura-Bond Dura-Bond parts A and B should be mixed together in equal quantities five minutes prior to use.

Once mixed, working time will be approximately 30 to 45 minutes, depending on temperature. Higher temperatures shorten the working time and lower temperatures lengthen it. Do not apply Dura-Bond at temperatures below 50° F. For temperatures above 90° F, place the A & B mixture on ice to lengthen the working time. Never mix more Dura-Bond A & B together than can be applied in 30 to 45 minutes. Dura-Bond is an extremely bright finish; be sure to have good quality sunglasses available to avoid the possibility of "snow blindness". 

  1. Using a clean plastic bucket, carefully mix equal parts of Dura-Bond part A and part B. Using a fresh wooden stick labeled "mix", thoroughly combine A and B. If a power mixer is used be careful to use a fresh paddle and a slow mixing speed. Remember not to mix more Dura-Bond than can be applied in 30 to 45 minutes. 
  2. Apply Dura-Bond to the pool's previously prepared surface with a lamb's wool roller. For best results use a roller with a phenolic core and a nap of no more than 318". Begin coating the walls in the deep end, then the deep end floor, and work up to the shallow end. Cover the surface completely but avoid rolling on too thick of a coat. Best results are obtained with thin coats rather than thick ones. Thick coats can cause blistering and bubbling. First roll up and down, then cross ways. 
  3. Allow the first coat of Dura-Bond to dry overnight. 4) Repeat the procedure in sections B and C above to 
    apply the second coat of Dura-Bond. 5) Since Dura-Bond cures to a smooth, ceramic-Iike finish it is important to apply non-skid material to areas where people will be walking, such as steps, loveseats, and other shallow areas. Immediately following the application of the final coat to these areas, and while the Dura-Bond is still tacky, sparingly broadcast a nonskid material over any area where a non skid surface is desired. Marble dust or white sand usually works well for this purpose. 
    Allow the final coat of Dura-Bond to cure for 48 hours prior to filling the swimming pool with water. In colder temperatures wait until Dura-Bond is dry to the touch.

Dura-Seal (A product of Delta Coatings, Inc.) 
Dura-Seal and it's benefits for the Paint Trade Concrete is a man-made product consisting of cement, sand, gravel and water. The cement element of concrete contains lime. As these components cure, water is expelled leaving pores in the concrete. These pores allow for water and many other pollutants to not only penetrate into the concrete from the top, but also creates a capillary action allowing water and minerals to wick up from the ground behind the pool. As the water passes through the concrete from the soil, it picks up free lime and alkali in the concrete. The alkali reacts with any surface coatings such as polyurethane, epoxy, adhesives, etc... and causes a reaction known as "saponification" (forms a thin layer of soap). When the alkaline water comes in con- tact with surface coating, it begins deteriorating causing alkali bubbles and blisters. The coating cracks and peels requiring replacement of the coating. Therefore, it has been determined that there needs to be a "sealant . under the coating and that is where Dura-Seal comes into the picture. 
Dura-Seal to the rescue! 
Dura-Seal is a high performance concrete/plaster sealer designed to eliminate ground water penetration. It is designed for use prior to the application of Dura-Bond epoxy coating. Dura-Seal penetrates the concrete and reacts with the alkali forming small crystals in the tiny void spaces creating a productive outcome rather than a destructive one. It turns into a I gel and spreads throughout (not only on top). The concrete filling the 1 pores and hairline cracks, thus preventing the leaking of water through the l concrete and to the surface. By filling the voids, it also increases the density of the concrete. This gel becomes hard like the surrounding concrete. 
Benefits of Dura-Seal 
Penetrates into the concrete leaving no surface film. When properly applied, will not interfere with the applications of Dura-Bond. Stops alkali problems and retards capillary seepage. May be applied to wet or dry, new or old, rough or smooth surfaces. Creates a waterproof but breathable concrete surface. Water based -easy clean up. For complete details on Dura-Seal, please request brochure. 

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