Pond paint?

[14crazychris]

Hi, im seriously debating over fiberglass or pond paint. There is a pond paint on this site Pond construction (http://www.5playleisure.co.uk/Pond_construction.html) and it looks very good. I could probably get about 5/6 coats of it with 50litres of paint. So what are you opinions on it? Is it really worth the extra for fiberglass. I would also save about £100 on render. It looks to be very good and with five or six coats I'm sure it would be fine. I know koinewbie used it (I think) but has anyone else used it?
Thanks chris

[pondwithnoname]

I took a lazy peep at the link, I'm all for coatings I used Antel A1 pond paint about 8 years ago and it's still doing it's job and looks good.
One advantage of coatings is you can refresh and repair them if necessary.
I'd still render the walls to insure a sound smooth finish but it's not necessary.
Regards
Pwnn

[Bigmel]

I,ve used it on my veggie filter over g4 .

Its cheap enough and does the job but mine remained tacky and still is , as in it sets like car under seal and it rubs off easy in the veggie filter if the pond baskets rub against it , the slate i use as a water blade the coating has wore off over 3 years .

Its nothing like as good as fibreglass or a box weld liner , this is just my opinion of the product others might disagree .

There is no data product anywhere that i could find of what exactly the product contains ?

[AlanF]

I would still render with a fibre/cement mix- that is my plan anyway. As far as I can see the only attraction of fiberglass over paint in a sound concrete pond is the ability to insulate. So if your happy not insulating paint is a much cheaper option.

[14crazychris]

Ok so better reactions than i thought!, wasn't going to insulate as the ponds already small enough lol. Ok might make up a thin render to make it smooth but would it be ok if i went really thin or does it have to be thick?. So there are big pluses about the paint apart from it scrathes easily and doesn't dry completly. I could also paint then fiberglass over the top if i didnt work out.

[14crazychris]

I suppose if it remains tacky it wont crack then?

[miles41]

I would think Chris, for the costs on the amount of paint, you'd be better off buying a box weld liner for peace of mind. They're not that expensive at all really.

[Bigmel]

Mines never cracked or peeled , but where it rubs off bare in mind the render becomes exposed and would this effect the ph of the pond ..i dont know :confused:

I agree with miles 100 % a box weld would be better for the extra money imho.

[AlanF]

The ones I have looked at all dry to a rubberlike finish. Think of them as paint on liners, once dried they are just like a rubber pond liner but perfectly fitted to the pond.
I was looking at this one-
Aquaguard SPC Swimming Pool Paint and Coatings, Damp Proofing Solutions (http://www.polycoteuk.com/product-aquaguard-spc.html)

Yours looks to be a cheaper option still.

[Ned]

I would be very wary of this product. The manufacturer say its fish safe when It's cured but if it remains tacky like on "Big mels" it aint cured. and it contains bitumen.

[fisherman]

Hi Chris
I used G4 on 1 of my ponds never again as it came off on the bottom leaving bare concrete as for rendering you don’t have as you can use Kingspan in witch will isolate your pond at the same time and fiberglass over the of it

[Bigmel]

I would be very wary of this product. The manufacturer say its fish safe when It's cured but if it remains tacky like on "Big mels" it aint cured. and it contains bitumen.

Hi Ned

It defo did no harm to the koi / sturgeon , iirc i got an email about it remaining tacky on application ......after i bought it .

I filled the veggie and it slowly went harder , but even today i could remove some with my finger nails so it never set like "rubber" which i expected it to as per the add .

It basically went from a brownie color in the tub to set "black" on the walls but was as i say like car under seal in texture if you ever used the stuff in the 80,s on Lada :D

Can i ask how you know it contains bitumen as i could not find any info on what was in the product ?

[Ned]

Hi Ned

Can i ask how you know it contains bitumen as i could not find any info on what was in the product ?

Hi Mel use the link in the first post and then go to - (Click HERE to read more!)

[vince]

it is not the same bitumen that is used in say roads and roofing products as it has the hardening chemical removed as well as some other chemicals. this does how ever make it take a long time to cure as can give it a waxy like texture. i have used it once before but not on a fish pond. it was used to seal an animal pond for ducks and small rabbits and dear to drink from as well as ducks to swim in. as far as i know it is still doing well and no deaths to the wild life. would i use it on my own koi pond . no to be honest fibreglass is far better and proven to be the best thing to use.

[14crazychris]

Thanks for all the reply's :) I have decided that Im going to use fiberglass! Although more expensive it will give my pond a better finish as you say and it will also strengthen the structure. There's no point in spending all this money and then not finishing it off properly so GO BIG OR GO HOME lol.
Thanks chris

[familyman]

good choice imo.