How to Apply Dyco Pool Deck Paint

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 10, 2020

When you want to paint a concrete pool deck, Dyco pool deck acrylic stain will give it a long-lasting finish that is more resistant to harsh pool chemicals than other types of paint. You can also apply Dyco pool deck acrylic stain to other concrete surfaces like patios, walkways, and spa areas. Choose light colors for areas where people will be mostly walking barefoot so the concrete doesn’t get as hot, and choose darker colors for high traffic areas so dirt doesn’t show up as much. Soon enough, your pool deck or other concrete areas will have a brand new look!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Repairing and Cleaning the Area

1
Fill in any holes or cracks in the concrete with a concrete repair compound. Sweep away any loose debris from around damaged areas of the concrete with a stiff-bristled brush. Mix a concrete repair compound according to the manufacturer’s instructions and fill in all holes and cracks, then let the compound dry for 24 hours.^{[1]
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- Dyco pool deck acrylic stain is only for concrete applications. It is not meant for painting wooden pool decks or surfaces made of anything other than concrete.
Tip: If the pool deck only has thin cracks, get a concrete filler that you can apply with a caulking gun to easily fill them in. If there are bigger holes, use a concrete patching compound that comes in a tub and apply it with a putty knife.
2
Scrub the pool deck with a bleach solution and a stiff-bristled brush. Mix 1 part bleach with 4 parts water in a bucket. Start at 1 side of the pool deck and dip a long-handled, stiff-bristled brush into the cleaning solution or pour some out onto the concrete to wet a small area. Scrub the concrete vigorously using back and forth motions to clean it.^{[2]
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- This will get rid of dirt, dust, oils, soap film, and any other residues stuck to the concrete pool deck to prepare it for the stain.
- Don’t use a brush that has metal bristles or you could scratch and damage the concrete.
- Note that it is not necessary to prime the concrete in any way before you apply the stain. You just have to clean it.
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3
Rinse the pool deck with a hose after you’re done cleaning it. Start at 1 side of the pool deck and turn on the hose. Spray down the entire pool deck thoroughly by moving the hose side to side and walking slowly forward until it is totally rinsed.^{[3]
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- This will clean off the bleach solution you used to scrub the concrete and rinse away any remaining loose debris.
4
Scrub any mold or mildew with a mold and mildew removal liquid. Put on rubber gloves and a face mask. Apply the mold and mildew removal product to affected areas of the concrete and scrub it using a stiff-bristled brush or a heavy-duty sponge until the spots are gone.^{[4]
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- Mold and mildew removers typically come in a spray bottle, so you just have to spray the solution directly onto the concrete to apply it.
5
Let the pool deck dry for 1-2 days before you apply the stain. Don’t apply Dyco pool deck acrylic stain to damp concrete. Wait at least 1 full day and up to 2 days for the concrete to completely dry after cleaning it.^{[5]
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- If it happens to rain while you are waiting for the concrete to dry, wait at least 1 day after the rain to start applying the acrylic stain.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Painting the Concrete

1
Use 1 gallon (3.78 L) of stain per 175–225 sq ft (16.3–20.9 m²) of concrete. The porosity of the concrete and how thickly you apply the coats affects how much stain you need. Plan on using 1 gallon (3.78 L) of Dyco pool deck acrylic stain if the total surface area you want to cover is between 175 sq ft (16.3 m²) and 225 sq ft (20.9 m²).^{[6]
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- Note that if the concrete pool deck is new, you must wait at least 30 days after it was poured before painting it to allow the concrete plenty of time to cure.
2
Mix the stain thoroughly with a paint mixing stick. Open up the can of Dyco pool deck acrylic stain. Insert a wooden mixing stick into the paint and stir it vigorously, using circular motions, until it is a uniform color and consistency.^{[7]
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- This ensures that the color and consistency of the finish will look good.
- Most home improvement centers or paint supply stores will give you a wooden mixing stick when you buy paint or stain.
- Don’t attempt to thin the stain out in any way or it will not coat the concrete well. The stain is ready to use straight out of the can.
Tip: If you are using more than 1 can of stain, pour all the cans into 1 large container and mix them together thoroughly to ensure a completely uniform color.
3
Coat a long-handled 6 in (15 cm) nap roller in stain. Attach a 6 in (15 cm) paint roller to a telescopic pole handle and fill the recessed part of a paint tray with pool deck acrylic stain. Dip the roller in the stain and roll it back and forth on the textured part of the tray to cover it evenly in stain and remove any excess.^{[8]
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- If your pool deck is particularly wide or narrow, you can use a smaller or larger paint roller to get the coverage you desire. A 6 in (15 cm) roller is pretty easy to use on surfaces of all widths, but use whatever is most comfortable and efficient for you.
4
Roll on the first coat of stain evenly over the entire concrete surface. Start at 1 corner of the pool deck, then work your way back and all the way around the pool deck until you get back to where you started. Roll your paint roller back and forth over the concrete without extending your arms further than you can comfortably reach. Overlap your strokes by 0.5–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) to get complete coverage.^{[9]
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- Aim to use just enough stain to cover the concrete with a thin coat of color, rather than slathering it on and changing the texture of the concrete. If you use too much stain, it can make the pool deck more slippery.
- If you find yourself bending over as you work, extend the telescopic pole handle so you can stand up straight and don’t hurt your back.
5
Let the first coat of stain dry for at least 2 hours. Wait 2 hours for the first coat to cure enough to apply a second coat. Don’t ever apply a second coat right away or the stain will not cure correctly and you will end up with a bad finish.^{[10]
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- If you are working in high humidity, the stain can take longer to dry. Give it another 1-2 hours just to be safe if conditions are humid. Check that the first cost is dry to the touch before you apply the second coat.
6
Use your paint roller to apply a second coat of stain using even strokes. Start in the same corner you started applying the first coat in. Use your paint roller to roll on the stain in comfortable, even, overlapping strokes. Work your way back and around the pool deck until you are finished applying the second coat.^{[11]
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- If you want to give the pool deck’s finish more grip, you can mix in Dyco skid gard additive with the final coat of stain. This will make it harder to slip on areas like steps, inclined surfaces, and spots that get wet.
7
Let the stain dry for at least 4 hours before walking on the surface. The stain will be dry to the touch in about 2 hours and ready to handle foot traffic in about 4 hours. Wait at least 4 hours after you finish the second coat before you or anyone else walks on top of the concrete surface.^{[12]
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