Can You Sandblast Concrete Pools?

Yes, you can sandblast concrete pools. Sandblasting pools is an excellent way to prepare them for resurfacing because it effectively removes paint, grime, and mineral deposits without damaging the concrete substrate.

Using a wet sandblasting method with the right equipment and abrasive is vital for clean, flawless results. With a strong, high-quality, and low-dust abrasive media, you can prepare pools for long-lasting finishes.

Why Sandblast a Concrete Pool?

Abrasive blasting is an excellent alternative to mechanical grinding or high-pressure water jetting. It is a practical and efficient method for removing either pool plaster or epoxy pool paint. Whether removing old coatings or restoring a concrete pool’s integrity, sandblasting concrete pools offers the following advantages: 

• Paint, mineral, and algae removal: Swimming pool sandblasting strips paint from concrete effectively. It also removes algae stains and mineral deposits that have penetrated the pool’s surface. You can tackle tough scale and calcium buildup with powerful abrasives.
• Uniform, rough texture: Sandblasting leaves a rough, uniform texture on pool surfaces. This is vital for effective pool resurfacing because it helps new coatings adhere to the concrete.
• Long-term durability: The rough surface that sandblasting leaves can help concrete last longer. It helps prevent premature delamination, cracking, and peeling for a longer-lasting surface finish.  
• Time and cost efficiency: Sandblasting is faster and more cost-effective than manual, labor-intensive surface preparation processes. It thoroughly removes thick layers from concrete in a fraction of the time, helping you complete projects faster and serve more clients.

Is Wet Blasting or Dry Blasting Better for Pools?

Wet sandblasting is one of the best pool resurfacing options. This method mixes the abrasive with water to suppress dust and facilitate a cleaner process. Wet blasting, also known as vapor blasting, has a cushioning effect, which helps protect the pool’s walls and floor surfaces.

How to Sandblast Concrete Pools for Effective Swimming Pool Resurfacing

The right sandblasting equipment and methods are vital for clean surfaces. Use the following process to sandblast pools for your clients:

Gather Equipment

You will need the following equipment to sandblast a pool effectively:

• Air Compressor: Air compressors are the work engines of any blasting setup. Make sure you size your compressor properly for your needs. 
• Blast nozzle: Blast nozzles offer different blast angles or patterns. Opt for a nozzle with a standard-issue long-venturi shape for a wide blast pattern that efficiently prepares pool surfaces. It is also important to ensure your blast nozzle fits the pressure washer you use.
• Blast hose: You will need a durable, two-ply or four-ply blast hose made of natural rubber or polyurethane. This helps the hose withstand abrasive media for reduced wear and longer use.
• Blast pot or pressure vessel: The blast pot or pressure vessel adds abrasives to your air stream. The blast pot should fit your blast nozzle size, and it is important to consider its abrasive capacity. Its capacity indicates how long it can run before you need to refill the abrasive material.
• Deadman switch: Your abrasive blasting system must feature a deadman switch for easy shutdown in case an operator loses control. 

Wear Appropriate Safety Gear

Wear the following personal protective equipment to avoid injuries and health complications while sandblasting:

• Respirator and face shield: A supplied-air respirator helps prevent you from inhaling dust or debris. Choose a respirator with a helmet and a clear face shield to protect your face from debris.
• Gloves and a full-body operating suit: Heavy-duty gloves and a full-body suit protect your skin and clothing from flying particles.
• Hearing Protection: Adequate hearing protection to limit your exposure to the high-decibel sounds generated at the blasting nozzle.
• Steel-toe boots: Slip-resistant, steel-toe boots shield your feet from abrasive material and falling objects while working.

Drain the Pool and Prepare the Site

Draining a pool completely is important before starting the sandblasting process. This step ensures the abrasive material hits the surface for effective coating removal.

Cover all non-blasted components with plastic and heavy-duty tape. This protects components such as:

• Lights
• Drains
• Tile lines
• Coping

Master Your Blasting Technique

Maintain a consistent distance and hose angle from the pool surface for an even profile. Start in the pool’s deep end and work your way to the shallow end to avoid walking on freshly blasted surfaces. Begin blasting at about 80 to 100 psi and adjust your blasting pressure as needed.

Vacuum and Wash the Pool

Sweep debris from the pool walls onto the floor of the pool for easier cleanup. You can then use an industrial-grade wet/dry vacuum to remove the waste and the used abrasive media from the pool. 

After vacuuming, clean the pool shell to remove mineral deposits and fine dust that the vacuum misses. Some residue is invisible to the naked eye, and a clean surface is crucial for proper adhesion of a new coating.

Choosing the Right Abrasive for the Job

It is important to choose an abrasive that is safe, effective, and affordable. The goal is to remove the old coating and create a rough profile without damaging the underlying concrete substrate. This creates an ideal surface for new coatings, which can help reduce pool resurfacing costs for your clients. Different abrasives offer different levels of speed, hardness, and dust production. 

Traditional silica sand is no longer an industry standard due to its potential health effects. 10X Engineered Materials offers innovative, biosoluble superoxalloy abrasives to help you deliver clean, ready-to-coat surface profiles. These fast-acting, high-quality solutions offer the following advantages: 

• Minimal dust: Superoxalloy abrasives produce minimal dust. While completely dustless blasting is unlikely, biosoluble abrasives produce the least amount of dust compared to alternative media. This enhances safety, reducing the amount of dust in your work area.
• High blasting speeds: Exceptionally tough particles enable you to blast media at higher pressures than alternative abrasives. This can accelerate your processes for reduced labor rates and more time for additional projects.
• Lower consumption: Using superoxalloy abrasives helps you lower consumption, using less media to complete jobs. They are also reusable, depending on your blast pressure and the grit size you use.
• Enhanced surface quality: Superoxalloy abrasives produce less particle embedment, resulting in high-quality concrete surfaces.

Our KinetiX 20/70 superoxalloy is an all-purpose medium-duty abrasive well suited to developing a good profile for most pool coatings.

Enhance Swimming Pool Resurfacing With 10X Engineered Materials

Vapor blasting is an excellent way to prepare pools for resurfacing, and 10X Engineered Materials can help you achieve the results you are looking for. Our superoxalloy abrasives help reduce surface preparation time and costs for pool refinishing jobs, helping you serve more clients and boost profits.

Browse our selection of abrasive media to enhance your resurfacing preparation.