What paint product should I use to paint a pond's inside wall?

[kashgenius]

I have searched the internet and have come across liquid rubber and epoxy paint as the options? 

Which ones work best and are any of the products to tintable to a particular color? Is there a particular product that you would recommend? 

[MitchellMc]

Just to clarify @Eliza1, where are you at now? Is the top layer the sandstone pond sealer or the Dunlop product? Is the pond sealer on top of the Dunlop product or below it? 

I'll assume your first image is where you're at and you need to lighten the colour. You could mix white paint into the next coat, but there has been no testing done by the manufacturer so it's hard to tell what will happen.

In hindsight, if no water was to be kept in the fountain, then I would have recommended you simply paint over the Dunlop product with your choice of exterior paints. 

Mitchell

[Eliza1]

Thanks Mitchell. The top layer is the pond sealer. Bugger as I asked so many people and said it was only a feature and not used for birds/water.

I was told the pond sealer will help protect the weathering of the pond from cracking again. 

I guess now I can only try and mix some white paint and do a trial on a section but do you think it would bond properly? I know it hasn't been tested but maybe it could work..

I've also been told by a painting shop that because it's water based that I could apply an acrylic paint over the sealer.. this was the pond at the start so I'm sure it won't crack again with everything I have done.. Also could the pond sealer fade in time?

Thanks so much, I wish I knew about this sight earlier..

 

[MitchellMc]

Oh, wow! You've done an amazing job there, @Eliza1.

The pond sealer quite possibly could assist in preventing the concrete from cracking again, and if it weren't for this colour discrepancy, I too would advise you to use it. It's just a shame that it's turned out a bit yellow. If you mix white paint with the pond sealer, I think it will likely bond properly. I'm not so sure about just using straight paint over the pond sealer. Just because two products are acrylic doesn't mean they are compatible. Chances are it will be fine, but we can never know for sure. A test section would be your best option. Paint a small area and wait for it to fully cure over a few days. Take some masking tape and lay it over the area, adhering it well. Wait five minutes and then rip it off quickly at a 90-degree angle to the surface. They haven't bonded well if it pulls the paint off the sealer.

The pond sealer could fade in time, but I'm not confident that it will be a fast process or that it will ever match well with the off-white colour.

Mitchell

[Eliza1]

Thanks Mitchell, I did it all by hand then used a paint brush with water to keep the swell look. Fiddly but it worked.

Great idea with the tape and will try that. My mum lives in Launceston TAS and the frost and warm weather has been the problem I'm guessing. 

Just checking that it does need to be acrylic paint? Also do you recommend a particular brand etc that is good?

I presume white is the best colour to achieve a lighter sandstone colour as so many products out there.

Thanks again 

[MitchellMc]

It would be best if you stuck with acrylic products @Eliza1. I don't think the quality will be all that important as you're mixing it into a waterproofer. However, something like Dulux Weathershield would be more than adequate. White would be the best colour to lighten the sandstone colour.

Mitchell

[Eliza1]

Hi Mitchell 

Sorry to clarify again but when I messaged you Sat o also emailed Crommalin rep and today he has advised not to mix acrylic paint as pond sealer is a membrane not paint and has different chemical makeup and to paint over pond sealer with water based acrylic paint. 

This is where it gets confusing as I don't want to wreck my hard work and just don't know who's advice to take?

I hope you understand as I don't know what to do as different opinions. 

Thanks Eliza 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Eliza1,

That matches up with my original comment where I advised that there are no paints Crommelins can recommend, which you could mix in to lighten the colour. The advice I received was that they couldn't guarantee any paint that goes over it either. It sounds like you've received slightly different information there, though.

Basically, water-proofing membranes and paints don't go together. However, if they advise that you can paint over the membrane with acrylic paint, I'd certainly do a test section, as discussed earlier. That could be the solution you need. 😀

Mitchell

[jake_k06]

Hi Mitchell,

I am a Paint team member at Bunnings and today I had a question about painting under the clear Crommelin pond sealer. We reviewed this thread, but the only thing mentioned was to use oxide in a slurry underneath. Is there a possibility of applying paint before the sealer in order to produce the desired colour or is the sealer best applied to the surface with no paint or likewise barrier in between?

Thanks in advance, Jake.

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @jake_k06. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about the Crommelin pond sealer.

This sealer needs to be applied directly to a porous material, specifically concrete/cement. Unfortunately, paint isn't a suitable substrate for the sealer, and Crommelins does not recommend its application over it. Their concern is that an adequate bond can not be achieved. That's why I've suggested an oxide mixed into the cement to achieve a suitable colouring. Obviously, you also have the black, blue, and sandstone versions.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell