The paint you use in a swimming pool depends on the pool: a cement-compatible coating for marbelite and cement pools, an epoxy or chlorinated-rubber paint for some concrete pools, and a specialist finish for fibreglass or vinyl. For marbelite and smooth cement pools, Rhinoluxe Marbelite Pool Paint renews the surface in White or Blue. This guide explains which paint suits which pool, how to apply it, and how long it lasts.
What type of paint should you use in a pool?
Match the paint to the pool surface: a cement-based pool coating for marbelite and cement pools, epoxy or chlorinated rubber for painted concrete, and a dedicated system for fibreglass or vinyl-lined pools. Pool paint has to survive permanent water immersion, pool chemicals and sun, so an ordinary paint fails fast. Rhinoluxe Marbelite Pool Paint is a cement-compatible coating made specifically for marbelite and smooth-walled cement pools, where it grips and lasts where a general paint would not.
Which pool paint for which pool?
Identify your pool surface first, because the coating must match it. Use this table:
| Pool surface | Use |
|---|---|
| Marbelite pool | Marbelite Pool Paint (White or Blue) |
| Smooth-walled cement / plaster pool | Marbelite Pool Paint |
| Concrete pool (painted) | Cementitious, epoxy or chlorinated-rubber pool paint |
| Fibreglass pool | Specialist fibreglass gelcoat / pool system (not our product) |
| Vinyl-lined pool | Not painted — liner is replaced |
What is Marbelite Pool Paint?
Marbelite Pool Paint is a cement-compatible coating that bonds to the porous surface of marbelite and rendered cement pools, sealing the substrate and building a smooth, durable film. It is the coating you use to renew a marbelite pool surface — not the marbelite plaster itself, which is a cement plaster used to re-line a pool. Rhinoluxe Marbelite Pool Paint restores an old, patchy or faded pool interior to a clean, even White or Blue finish that is easy to brush and keep clean. See the marbelite pool paint guide.
What are the main types of pool paint?
The main pool-paint types are cementitious (cement-based) coatings, epoxy, and chlorinated rubber — each suited to different pools and budgets. A cementitious coating like Marbelite Pool Paint is the natural match for marbelite and cement pools. Epoxy pool paints give a hard, chemical-resistant film on suitable concrete but need careful prep and dry conditions. Chlorinated rubber is an older system that is easy to recoat but less durable. The full comparison, including fibreglass, is in the pool paint types guide.
Can you paint a pool yourself?
Yes — repainting a marbelite or cement pool is a manageable do-it-yourself (DIY) job if you drain, prepare and coat it correctly and allow full cure before refilling. The work is mostly in the preparation: drain the pool, let it dry, clean off algae, loose paint and chalk, and key a bare marbelite surface so the coating grips. Then apply even coats of Marbelite Pool Paint and let the film harden before refilling. The full method is in how to paint a pool.
How do you prepare a pool before painting?
Drain the pool, let the surface dry fully, remove algae, loose paint and chalk, and etch or key a bare marbelite surface so the new coating can bond. Preparation decides whether the paint lasts. Scrub and acid-wash off algae and scale, scrape or sand away flaking old paint, and rinse and dry the shell. A bare, dense marbelite surface must be etched so the coating can grip. Any structural cracks or leaks must be repaired before painting — the coating renews the surface, it does not fix a leaking shell.
How many coats of pool paint do you need?
Two coats is the norm for a marbelite or cement pool, applied evenly over a prepared, dry surface, with full cure before refilling. Two coats build the continuous film that survives permanent immersion and pool chemicals; one coat leaves thin, weak spots that fail early. Let each coat dry to the recoat time, and give the final coat its full cure so the film hardens properly before it meets water. Rushing the refill is a common cause of early blistering.
Is pool paint waterproof?
A pool coating is water-resistant and made for permanent immersion, but it is a surface finish on a sound shell — it is not a waterproofing membrane that will seal a leaking pool. Marbelite Pool Paint forms a continuous film that holds up underwater and resists pool chemicals, which is what keeps a sound pool clean and good-looking. What it cannot do is bridge a structural crack or stop water escaping through a failing shell — that is a repair job that must come first. On a watertight marbelite or cement pool, the coating gives a durable, immersion-ready surface; on a leaking one, fix the leak before you paint.
Can you paint over old pool paint?
You can recoat over sound, matching old pool paint, but you cannot reliably coat one type of pool paint over a different one — the systems are usually incompatible. If the existing coating is the same type, in good condition and well prepared, a fresh coat of the matching product renews it. If you do not know what is on the pool, or it is a different system (for example epoxy under a cementitious coating), the new film is likely to lift. In that case, test a small patch or strip back to the bare surface and start with the correct product for your pool. Identifying the old coating first saves a peeling, wasted job.
What colours does pool paint come in?
Rhinoluxe Marbelite Pool Paint comes in classic pool White and Blue. White gives a bright, clean look and makes the water read as a light aqua; Blue deepens the water colour to a classic pool blue. Both are the traditional marbelite pool shades and both hold their colour against sun and pool chemicals. Choose by the water colour you want — lighter and brighter with White, deeper and more traditional with Blue.
How long does pool paint last?
A correctly applied marbelite pool coating typically lasts several years before it needs a refresh, depending on the water chemistry, sun exposure and how well the pool is maintained. Balanced pool water, regular brushing and cleaning, and avoiding harsh chemical shocks all extend the life of the finish. When the colour dulls or the surface starts to chalk, the pool is drained, cleaned and recoated — far less work and cost than re-plastering. Poor preparation or painting over a damp shell shortens the life considerably.
How much pool paint do you need?
Work out the internal surface area of the pool — the floor plus the walls — and plan for two coats when buying. Measure the floor and the four walls (or the curved shell) to get the total square metres, then check the coverage on the tin and double it for two coats. Marbelite Pool Paint comes in 5 litre (L) and 20 L, so a typical domestic pool usually takes one or more 20 L tins over two coats. Buy from one batch for even colour.
When should you renovate rather than repaint?
Repaint when the shell is sound and just needs a fresh surface; renovate or re-plaster when the marbelite is crumbling, badly cracked or leaking. A coat of Marbelite Pool Paint renews a sound but tired surface. If the plaster is failing, hollow or the pool is losing water, that structural work comes first. See the pool renovation and resurfacing guide.
Where to buy pool paint in South Africa
Shop Rhinoluxe Marbelite Pool Paint in White and Blue, 5 L and 20 L, with national delivery, or visit our paint shops in Table View, Cape Town and Edenvale, Johannesburg. For trade pricing and advice, call +27 84 985 6141.
