Flame-Applied Resin Powder Coating for Swimming Pool and Recreational Surfaces

Abstract

Application of a resin to a pool surface to provide a colored finish that is ultraviolet resistant. The resin may be a powder that can be melted at a fairly low temperature and applied to the pool surface. A first later of resin may be applied to an epoxy layer that is applied to the pool surface to provide better adhesion while the epoxy is still tacky (hot-flocking). The hot-flocking causes the resin and the epoxy to blend into a single layer. An additional layer of resin may be applied after the epoxy and the first layer of resin fully cured. After the second layer of resin has cured an additional layer may be applied to provide designs and/or markings. The designs/markings may be produced with tape and/or stencils and the next layer may be applied to the non-covered areas to provide the desired look.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for applying a resin finish to a pool surface, the method comprising:
 preparing the pool surface;   applying an epoxy layer to the pool surface;   hot flocking a first coat of the resin finish onto the surface when the epoxy layer is tacky; and   applying a second coat of the resin finish onto the surface once the epoxy and the first coat are cured.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the preparing includes cleaning the pool surface. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the preparing includes filling imperfections in the pool surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the preparing includes making the pool surface rough by way of mechanical or chemical means. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hot flocking a first coat of the resin finish and the applying a second coat of the resin finish include heating the resin finish until it becomes a liquid, wherein the resin finish becomes a liquid at temperatures below approximately 100° C. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hot flocking a first coat of the resin finish and the applying a second coat of the resin finish are performed using a gun torch. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 masking a portion of the pool surface; and   applying an additional resin finish onto a portion of the pool surface not masked.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the masking includes taping the portion of the pool surface. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the masking includes applying a stencil onto the pool surface. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the applying an additional resin finish includes heating the additional resin finish until it becomes a liquid, wherein the additional resin finish becomes a liquid at temperatures below approximately 100° C. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 applying an additional resin finish onto a portion of the pool surface.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein no masking is used to define the portion of the pool surface that the additional resin finish is applied to. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the applying an additional resin finish includes heating the additional resin finish until it becomes a liquid, wherein the additional resin finish becomes a liquid at temperatures below approximately 100° C. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the pool surface is concrete/plaster the applying an epoxy layer to the pool surface includes
 applying a first coat of epoxy that is thinned, wherein the first coat is to seal small voids in the pool surface; and   applying a second coat of epoxy at full strength.   
     
     
         15 . A method for applying a resin finish to a pool surface, the method comprising:
 preparing the pool surface;   applying an epoxy layer to the pool surface;   hot flocking a first coat of a first color mixture of the resin finish onto the pool surface when the epoxy layer is tacky; and   applying a second coat of the first color mixture of the resin finish onto the surface once the epoxy and the first coat are cured; and   applying a second color mixture of the resin finish onto a portion of the pool surface to create a two tone effect.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising masking a portion of the pool surface, wherein the applying a second color mixture of the resin finish includes applying a second color mixture of the resin finish onto a portion of the pool surface not masked. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising
 removing the masking after the second color mixture of the resin finish has cooled;   blending a border between the first color mixture of the resin and the second color mixture of resin.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the hot flocking a first coat of a first color mixture of the resin finish, the applying a second coat of the first color mixture of the resin finish and the applying a second color mixture of the resin finish are performed using a gun torch. 
     
     
         19 . A method for applying a resin finish to a pool surface, the method comprising:
 cleaning the pool surface;   filling imperfections in the pool surface;   making the pool surface rough by way of mechanical or chemical means;   applying an epoxy layer to the pool surface;   hot flocking a first coat of a first color mixture of the resin finish onto the pool surface when the epoxy layer is tacky; and   applying a second coat of the first color mixture of the resin finish onto the surface once the epoxy and the first coat are cured;   masking a portion of the pool surface; and   applying a second color mixture of the resin finish onto a portion of the pool surface not masked to create a two tone effect.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the hot flocking a first coat of a first color mixture of the resin finish, the applying a second coat of the first color mixture of the resin finish and the applying a second color mixture of the resin finish are performed using a gun torch.