• Swimming pool paints can exude fumes and chalk into the water.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Swimming pools are often created with gunite or fiberglass, depending on the type of construction. Installers paint many versions, especially gunite versions, when they are applying the last waterproof layer. This paint helps the pool maintain a specific color, which helps owners match the pool to their landscaping. While painting can be useful for design, the owner will need to repaint the pool eventually, and painting can create several problems.
  
  

Acid Washing

• To properly paint the pool, the painter must clean off all dirt and remnants of the older paint job. Pool paint is designed to stay bonded to the top pool layer, so it does not come off easily. Most processes use an acid washing procedure with a powerful corrosive agent that strips the paint away, which is effective, but the chemicals are corrosive to people, too. Painters must wear masks, gloves and goggles to avoid getting any of the acid on their skin or in their eyes where it can burn.
  
  

Unrinsed Cleaners

• The pool must also be free of any algae, dirt or grime that it has collected on its old surface. Just like removing old paint, painters must resort to strong chemicals, like the cleaner trisodium phosphate (TSP), to clean off all the stains. This chemical cleaner is very strong and can also burn the skin and eyes. Painters must rinse all remnants of the cleaner from the pool surface before starting to paint, or the cleaner may leak into the water.
  
  

Chalking

• Chalking occurs when paints break down over time as they are constantly exposed to pool water. As they break down, the paints release particles into the water. The particles increase and make the water dull or cloudy. The powder-like residue can also gather on skin and swimsuits where it must be rinsed off carefully to avoid ingesting it. Chalking is often caused by acidic water, so maintaining water with the proper pH is important.
  
  

Paint Properties

• Several types of paint are available for people to use to paint their pools. These paints have features that can cause trouble down the line. Some paints have solvents that create strong fumes, which painters must wear masks to protect against. Others cannot be used in high humidity, or they will not dry properly and will leak into the water.