How Do You Repair A Fiberglass Pool Slide?

Mix the

fiberglass filler

with the hardener using a small bucket and a stir stick. Follow the recommendations on the container for the correct amount of hardener. Apply the filler to the cracks using a putty knife. Smooth the filler out so it's flat and level with the surrounding fiberglass.

How do you fix a crack in a fiberglass pool slide?

Mix the

fiberglass filler

with the hardener using a small bucket and a stir stick. Follow the recommendations on the container for the correct amount of hardener. Apply the filler to the cracks using a putty knife. Smooth the filler out so it's flat and level with the surrounding fiberglass.

Can you fix a fiberglass slide?

Fiberglass slide cracks are more common. It can be small stress cracks in the Gelcoat surface, or in rare cases, the fiberglass shell itself can become cracked. Gelcoat repair kits can be purchased, or your slide could be completely recoated, by a

local boat repair company

.

How do you restore a Fibreglass slide?

1. Step 1 – Sand the Surface. Wear a pair of protective gloves and a respirator when working with fiberglass. …
2. Step 2 – Clean the Area. …
3. Step 3 – Apply the Fiberglass Filler. …
4. Step 3 – Sand the Repaired Area. …
5. Step 4 – Apply Gel Coat. …
6. Step 5 – Sand the Repaired Area. …
7. Step 6 – Apply the Wax.

What are old pool slides made of?

If you have an older pool slide, it is like it's made up of

a fiberglass shell with a coated surface

. The more modern pool slides are typically made from a rotomolded polyethylene or a thermoplastic acrylic with the color infused throughout.

Can a crack in a fiberglass pool be repaired?

For

minor cracks, simply cover it with fiberglass paint

. … For more severe cracks, generally cracks that measure between 1⁄2-inch deep and extend 1-inch in length on both sides, the crack and surrounding area may need to be sanded down, with any loose particles removed.

Can you wax a pool slide?

Waxing. … Waxing in the

spring and fall

will help protect the slides finish and provide a good added barrier to the harsh UV rays of the sun. The wax is generally all that is needed to maintain the slide and help keeps its original gloss as long as you start the maintenance process early, before there are problems.

Can you paint a fiberglass slide?

Once the first coat has dried, immediately apply the second. Allow this to dry and then use the sandpaper to gently go over the second layer. Use a cloth or rag to wipe away any sand and then add a third coat. It's important to sand between coats because it will help the next layer of paint stick more efficiently.

What kind of paint do you use on a fiberglass pool slide?

According to In The Swim, the only kind of paint that should be used on fiberglass pools is an

epoxy pool paint

. For fiberglass pool slides, use a product made specifically for this, such as EP Epoxy Pool Paint. This works on painted and unpainted surfaces and produces a tile-like, high-gloss finish.

How do you gel coat a pool slide?

Apply the gel coat in a thin, even coat and avoid causing runs or sags that will add labor to the sanding process.

Mix more gel coat as needed

and coat the entire surface of the slide. Allow the gel coat to harden. Sand out any heavy brush marks or roller stipple with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper and water.

How do I winterize my pool slide?

Once the valves are opened on the pump, hold the

vac at

the water inlet on the slide entry and push the water out until you see the air bubbles forming at the pool return. Once the line is clear of water, you may plug the jet on the entry to stop any water from entering the lines through the jet on the slide.

How do you clean a water slide?

If you don't have vinyl cleanser, you can use

a solution of mild dish soap and water

. Rub down all surfaces on the slide with a soft mop. If there are areas that are stained or covered with mud and grime, you may need to use more vinyl cleanser or dish soap solution. Continue brushing until the areas are clean.

What is gel coat on fiberglass?

Gel coat is the most common surface coating used in the fabrication and repair of fiberglass reinforced products. Gel Coat is a

specially formulated two-part polyester resin

that is designed to be the first layer of resin applied in a mold when making a polyester or vinyl ester composite part.

Do concrete pools crack?

Concrete pool cracks can have various causes. … Insufficient soil compaction during pool installation can often lead to soil movement, as do repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Wear and tear on materials can

also cause cracks in your concrete pool, especially if their quality is poor.

How much does it cost to fix a crack in a fiberglass pool?

Fiberglass pool repair costs

$300 to $400

for a gel coat that restores dinged, scratched and cracked surfaces. Expect to pay up to $800 more to repaint after doing the repairs. You also have to cover the cost of draining the water, refilling the pool and applying the right chemicals.

How much does it cost to fix a crack in a pool?

How do you make slides slick again?

Rub wax paper over the entire plastic slide surface

. It sounds too simple, but it actually works. When you rub the wax paper on the surface of your plastic slide, it transfers the food-safe wax making your slide slippery again.

How is plastic welding done?

It is accomplished by

converting high-frequency electrical energy into high-frequency mechanical motion

. That mechanical motion, along with applied force, creates frictional heat at the plastic components' mating surfaces (joint area), as a result the plastic material melts and forms a molecular bond between the parts.

What kind of wax do you use for pool slides?

DESCRIPTION:

SlideGloss®

is a unique sprayable water repellent finishing wax that produces the quickest “WET LOOK SHINE” to dull color faded fiberglass water slides. It has been specially formulated to be easily sprayed-on and immediately wiped-off by your internal maintenance staff or seasonal employees.

Can you fix a cracked plastic slide?

If you want a strong repair, you

must weld the backside of the polyethylene sheet

. The plastic slide is hollow, so cut a window from the outer shell so that you can access the backside.

Can you use Rustoleum spray paint on fiberglass?

Due to their nonporous nature,

fiberglass surfaces are not suitable for spray paint adhesion

, unlike wood surfaces. Furthermore, because fiberglass is slick and smooth, you will need to apply a particular application technique to ensure a smooth, professional-looking finish without drips, runs, or sagging.

Can you repaint a slide?

Completely wash and dry the slide before painting. I used tsp and a rag to really scrub off any of the leftover dirt and debris. … Paint the slide using

even coats of spray paint

, allowing it to completely dry between coats. I gave our slide three coats of spray paint for lasting durability.

Is there a spray epoxy?

Epoxy spray consists out of a hardener, which then needs to be mixed with resin. Once sprayed, it will form a durable and waterproof coating. The spray epoxy paint can resist grease, household cleaners, stains, and can hold fast onto a variety of materials.

Does spray paint stick to fiberglass?

Unlike wood, fiberglass surfaces are nonporous,

making them unsuitable for spray paint adhesion

. … In addition, because fiberglass is slick and smooth, you will need to use a particular application technique to promote a smooth, professional-looking finish free of runs, drips, and sagging.

What is the best paint to use on fiberglass?

Acrylic Latex

Acrylic paint

adheres well to fiberglass, overcoming one of the main challenges to painting this material. Acrylic paint is less likely to crack and blister, and will hold up well to cleaning.

How do you gelcoat a fiberglass pool?

Dip a disposable paintbrush in

the gel-coat mixture. Apply a layer of gel coat approximately 1/16 inch thick. Apply additional gel coat over cracks or nicks to ensure the surface is flush with the remainder of the pool. Repeat the process over the entire surface.

Is gelcoat the same as epoxy?

Gelcoat or ‘Gel Coat' is a material used to provide a high-quality finish on the visible surface of a fibre-reinforced composite. The most common gelcoats are thermosetting polymers based on

epoxy

or unsaturated polyester resin chemistry. Gelcoats are modified resins which are applied to moulds in the liquid state.

Is fiberglass waterproof without gelcoat?

Fiberglass becomes waterproof once resin is applied and has cured

. … Once resin is applied and it has dried then the fiberglass is completely waterproof, in fact boats are routinely made from it. The resin used will typically be one of polyester resin, epoxy or vinylester.

How do you winterize an inground pool slide?

1. Clean your pool. …
2. Test and balance the water. …
3. Drain water from the pool equipment. …
4. Reduce the water level. …
5. Empty all water from the return lines. …
6. Plug each return line and the skimmer. …
7. Airlock the main drain. …
8. Shock your pool.

What is aquaBRIGHT?

aquaBRIGHT is a

long lasting stain and crack resistant thermo-polymer finish

that comes with an industry leading 10 year pro rata warranty. aquaBRIGHT is a pool finish suitable for fibreglass and concrete pool renovations, new builds, pool resurfacing, and is designed to simplify pool maintenance.

How do you sand a fiberglass pool?

4. Sand the fiberglass surfaces with

#80 grit sandpaper

. Sanding the pool is an important step, to roughen up the surface and improve paint adhesion. With plaster pools, an acid wash is done to accomplish the same thing, but on fiberglass pools, buy 2 sanding pads mounted on wooden poles, with #80 grit sandpaper.

Do you drain pool for winter?

Close the pool for winter – but

don't drain it

.

In winter, the water in your pool is still your friend. Especially when properly winterized, it helps to protect the pool liner, keep it clean and prevent unnecessary damage from debris, harsh weather and other factors.

When should you close your pool?

It is best to close your pool when

the temperature of the water is consistently below 60 degrees

. Once the water temperature drops below 60 degrees, microorganisms and algae cannot grow and become dormant for the winter season.