How to Paint a Fiberglass Swimming Pool? (7 Easy Steps)

A fiberglass swimming pool in your backyard is a wonderful addition—it’s not just for cooling off in summer, but also a centerpiece that adds value and charm to your property.

Over time, though, the surface can lose its sparkle.

However, the good news is that restoring it to life is easier than you might think.

Just a few coats of the right paint can refresh its look and even let you experiment with a new style. You only need to invest in some basic supplies and the proper paint.

Best of all, a good paint job can last anywhere from five to seven years, making it a smart and lasting upgrade.

Here’s how you can change the color of your fiberglass pool.

Best Paint for Fiberglass Pool

The only type of paint that is most suitable for fiberglass pools is epoxy pool paint. This type of paint comes in many vibrant colors and will easily last up to 7 to 8 years.

The only downside of epoxy swimming pool finishes is that these require a solid 7 days of precipitation-free weather. Otherwise, it will not stick properly.

If you cannot rely on a week of no precipitation, you may try acrylic pool paints, which can be applied to damp surfaces. The downside is that acrylic paint does not last nearly as long compared to strong and durable epoxy paint.

When buying your pool paint, make sure you will need to purchase enough for two coats. This means you will need to measure your pool, including the floor, sides, tiles, pool steps, or ladders.

Also, stick to brands like Rust-Oleum, AdCoat, or INSL-X, as these are specially formulated for pools, offer strong adhesion on fiberglass surfaces, and provide a smooth, long-lasting finish that can handle years of water exposure.

Besides the right paint for the pool, you will also need the following…

• Paint Brushes, Rollers, Roller Frames, & Extension Poles
• Five Gallon Bucket w/Paint Screen
• Scrub & Sanding Brushes
• Masking Tape
• Tri-Sodium Phosphate Cleanser
• Dishwasher Detergent
• Two Gallon Watering Can
• At Least One Person to Help

7 Steps to Painting a Swimming Pool

Now that you have your materials, you can start the process of pool painting.

Here are the easy steps you will need to go through…

Step 1 – Weather check

First and foremost, set aside enough time to paint the pool and let it dry properly.

This means checking the weather and starting during a dry spell that will last for a few days at least, and preferably one week. This will allow the paint to fully dry without the rain delaying the time it takes to cure.

In addition, a high-water table may shift an empty fiberglass pool out of its original location. Although the possibility is slight, it may happen if you fully drain your pool and a sudden rainstorm raises the water table.

Step 2 – Drain the pool

Most pumps will drain most, but not quite all, of the pool. If you have a submersible pump, it should take care of the rest of the water.

If not, you can always rent a submersible or sump pump to ensure that the pool is fully dry.

Any standing water that remains can be removed using large sponges and buckets. Or, you can use a wet-vac to dry out any remaining water.

Step 3 – Cleaning

Now you need to clean the inside of the pool. Basically, you will need to get away the dirt, oil, and scales that have built up on the sides and bottom of the pool. This is where the dishwasher detergent comes into play.

Start with the following…

• ¼ cup dishwasher detergent
• Mix detergent with two gallons of water in the watering bucket
• Pour mixture onto the walls of the pool, covering every inch
• Scrub walls with a scrub brush on a pole
• Rinse every 10 feet of the wall after scrubbing

Once you have completed all the walls, start scrubbing the floor of the pool.

Pour the mixture onto the floor and use the scrub brush on a pole. It takes some good effort, so it pays to have help.

Once the scrubbing and rinsing are complete, pump out the remaining water from the pool.

Step 4 – Repeat with TSP cleanser

Mix the TSP cleanser with warm water in the watering bucket and repeat the cleaning process. This will remove any grease or rust stains that the detergent left behind.

Be sure to scrub and rinse every ten feet along the walls before moving to the floor of the pool.

Once you have completed the scrubbing, fully rinse the pool and remove the water.

Step 5 – Sanding the pool

To improve the chances of the paint sticking to the surface, you will need to sand the inside of the fiberglass pool.

Use 80-grit sandpaper to rough up the surface of the pool. Sand in the same direction, as this helps with paint adhesion.

Use the poles to sand most of the pool, then switch to sanding by hand on corners, slides, steps/ladders, and any curves.

Keep in mind that you are not trying to remove the gel coat. You are merely roughing the surface area, so one or two passes should work.

Once the sanding process is completed, rinse out the pool to remove any grit. Then allow enough time for the pool to fully dry.

Step 6 – Drying the pool

In most cases, a fiberglass pool will be ready to paint about 48 hours after the cleaning and sanding process.

You can double-check by using the masking tape to hold down a few large pieces of clear plastic to the floors and walls of the pool. This will catch the evaporation process and show if any moisture is remaining on the walls or floor.

It also helps to attach some clean towels to a sanding pole and dry-wipe the sides and floor of the pool to catch any oils, dust, or debris that might be present.

When the pool is fully dry, you will need around four days of dry weather to paint the pool completely.

Be sure to remove any features of the pool that will not be painted and tape off the coping area of the pool as well before you start painting.

Step 7 – Painting the fiberglass pool

You can start painting once the morning dew has evaporated from the pool area. It is best to start in the morning.

• Start by mixing a few gallons of epoxy paint as per the instructions on the can.
• Pour the mixture into a five-gallon bucket that includes a paint grid screen for easy painting.
• With your helper, start at the deep end of the pool, and each person should take one side. Using long, overlapping strokes, cover the entire pool.

It should take no more than a couple of hours to fully paint the pool.

When the first coat is complete, allow for four to eight hours for it to dry. Then apply the second coat using long, overlapping strokes and allow it to dry overnight.

TIP: Cover the pool if there’s any chance of light rain during your painting period or while the paint coat is drying.

When to refill the pool?

Although the second coat may be dry by the next morning, you will still want to wait from four to seven days before filling your painted pool.

Once it is ready, put the hose in the deep end of the pool and start up the water. Let the pool fill slowly and fully before using it.

Should You Repaint the Pool Coping?

Pool coping is the protective edging around the top of a swimming pool.

It adds a stylish finish, provides a safe non-slip surface, and helps protect the pool’s structure by keeping debris out and guiding splash water into drains.

Painting and protecting your pool coping can actually help to extend the life of your pool while keeping it in like-new condition. You should therefore focus on refinishing it using the right materials, tools, and methods.

The type of paint you will need to choose should depend on the material from which the coping is made (like aluminum, steel strip, pre-cast coping stones, etc).

But for most cases, epoxy and acrylic are the right choices for painting pool coping. Epoxy among both will certainly adhere well and is good for concrete or stone coping.

Painting vs. Resurfacing Your Fiberglass Pool

When deciding between painting and resurfacing your pool, think of it as a choice between a quick refresh and a complete makeover.

Painting adds a thin surface layer that’s affordable, fast, and great for fixing light wear. But your pool paint job should last for roughly five to seven years, and based on the usage and environmental factors, it will need touch-ups every few years. 

Resurfacing, on the other hand, is more like starting fresh: it involves applying a thicker, more durable material or even replacing the surface altogether.

So, the best option really comes down to your pool’s condition, your budget, and how long you want the results to hold up.

Resurfacing the pool over painting – why it makes sense?

Fiberglass, as it ages, will show signs of deterioration like cracks, leaks, discoloration, and osmosis (blisters). All these flaws can only be repaired and fixed through proper resurfacing or gelcoat treatment.

Gelcoat treatment involves resurfacing a fiberglass pool with a new layer of colored resin. It restores appearance, adds protection, and is usually best done by professionals.

Minor issues like chalking or small cracks may require cleaning, sanding, and resin repairs before applying the new gelcoat.

While it takes more time and money, it gives you a finish that lasts much longer and handles bigger issues with ease.

In general, plaster or cement pools will require to go through resurfacing every 3-7 years. But if you have fiberglass pools, these should be resurfaced every 15-25 years, depending on the specific condition of your pool.

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How Can You Paint a Mural Inside Your Swimming Pool?

Underwater art is more than an aesthetic choice; it can be an expression of your personality that really garners attention from family and friends.

Given how many swimming pools have the plain, white paint that is so familiar, it can be quite stunning to see a beautiful mural in its place.

In fact, murals are one of the more popular choices for underwater art because they can convey so many themes all in one setting. Also, the vivid colors, overall size, and details make it the perfect way to decorate the bottom of your pool, which will make it really stand out.

Prepping and Painting the Pool Murals

First things first—decide on your mural theme and sketch it out clearly. Having a visual plan makes the painting process much smoother and ensures your final design turns out just the way you imagined.

Next, choose the right paint. Epoxy pool paints are ideal for durability, but if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, rubber pool paints or underwater acrylics can also do the job—and they even work on damp surfaces.

Make sure you have enough white paint for a solid base coat. Then gather all your other colors according to your sketch, and don’t forget the handy tools such as large and small rollers, large and small artist brushes, several painter buckets, and mixing sticks.

• Start by applying the base coat of white paint and let it dry completely.
• Lightly sand the surface afterward to create a smooth canvas for your mural.
• Then, let your creativity flow and begin painting your design.

Keep in mind, depending on your mural’s complexity, it might take several days to finish—but the result will be a stunning, custom underwater masterpiece that you can enjoy for years to come.

Popular Themes for Underwater Swimming Pool Murals

Some of the more popular themes for murals include, but are not limited to the following…

a) Flowers: Use vibrant or subtler colors in creating the flower theme. You can choose flowers from the tropical variety, such as Anthurium or Hibiscus, as these are quite popular to add a natural look to your pool.

b) Hole: If you want to create the illusion of greater depth, then you can use a simple method of painting light blue along the top of the sides and gradually darkening the color when you reach the middle. Creating a deep blue hole will create the feeling of additional depth that will thrill the visitors and especially kids.

c) Reef: One of the most popular of all underwater murals is to create a coral reef. You can populate the reef with tropical fish, grasses, plants, and even a treasure or two.

d) Splatter: Put down a base color and then splatter contrasting colors on top using a brush or sprayer. You can mix and match colors as you choose, but light blue does look stunning over black. But if you prefer a white base layer, then green or pink may be a great choice.

e) Characters: The characters will naturally be sea or ocean-oriented, which often involves mythical figures such as cartoons, marine life, mermaids, etc.

These will provide many hours of fun and pleasure for the kids as they play in the pool. Plus, you can make the designs more appealing to adults by adding mythological figures from underneath the waves.

f) Emblems & Icons: If you run a motel or business, or just own the pool in your backyard, you can employ a simple icon or emblem to put at the bottom of your pool that may include logos, brand icons, images of products, pop art, etc.

Keep in mind that many of the themes do require considerable skill, experience, and talent to do the job on your own. So, you may want to hire a professional or at least get some assistance.  

When is the Right Time to Paint a Fiberglass Pool (Tips to Keep it Protected)

Many people assume spring is the perfect season to give their fiberglass pool a fresh coat of paint.

After all, the weather is warming up and summer is just around the corner—what better time to get the pool ready?

But here’s the catch: spring is also the rainiest season in most parts of the country. Add in sudden cold snaps, and you’ve got a mix that makes it tricky for paint to dry the way it should.

That’s why fall is often the smarter choice. By the time your pool is drained and cleaned for the year, the weather is usually cooperative—warm enough for painting, but without the humidity and unpredictable showers of spring.

September, in particular, hits the sweet spot: it’s still pleasantly warm, rainfall is lower, and you don’t yet have to worry about leaves drifting into your freshly painted pool.

In short, if you want the job done with fewer headaches and better results, autumn—especially September—may just be your best bet.

Once you have painted or resurfaced your fiberglass pool, proper care is key to making the finish last.

Here are a few practical maintenance tips to keep in mind:

• Keep the water chemistry balanced by maintaining a pH above 7.4 and alkalinity over 100 ppm.
• Regular cleaning and vacuuming will help prevent algae or dirt buildup, while gently brushing the walls with a soft-bristle brush will preserve the surface.
• Avoid harsh or abrasive chemicals, and be mindful not to drag sharp objects or equipment across the pool, as they can scratch or chip the paint.

With consistent upkeep, your freshly painted pool will stay vibrant and well-protected for years.

The Bottom Line

That is all about how you paint your fiberglass swimming pool and the mural on the inside of your pool. Remember, the better you plan, the more your pool will turn out the way you want.

While acrylics can be used at any time of the year, if you want the best results, choose the epoxy paint for the fiberglass pool painting job and schedule it for September. That should provide enough time for you to paint the pool after the kids go back to school.