(1)
Are there other national manufacturers using a product similar to UltraGuard?
Yes, But
not in the pool industry. Other products are not typically as dense
with cross-linking polymers, and in most cases do not use a bond coat.
Click Here
for further details.Ultimately
their application becomes porous and fails because they are only epoxy
paints and not a true industrial coating that have 100% solids.
(2)
The plaster on my pool floor is very rough. What can I do to make it
smooth so my children will not hurt their feet?
Go to Home
Depot and buy a bag of playground sand and a window screen. Go to the
flooring department and buy a product called Acrylic Mortar Admix. Buy
an 18” squeegee. Buy 2 5-gallon buckets and 1 1-gallon bucket.
Find a hardware store or lumberyard that sells white cement.
After screening
the sand, use the 1-gallon bucket to mix 2 parts sand to1 part white
cement. Box back and forth into empty 5-gallon bucket until thoroughly
mixed.
Put 1 and ¼ gallons of acrylic modifier into a 5-gallon bucket.
Then mix your concrete into the acrylic modifier to a consistency of
a pancake mix. Pour this mix the entire width of your pool. Pull back
with your squeegee over the highs and filling the lows. Next day sand
down the ridges. You now have a very smooth floor that is ready for
the UltraGuard bond coat.
(3)
I have an old plaster pool that was painted with rubber paint. After
2 years it’s peeling, blistering and chalking. Do I have to sandblast
my pool prior to using your UltraGuard?
You do not
have to remove all of your paint and certainly not sandblast. Read Prepping
your painted pool on the homepage, right hand side, at the bottom. Follow
those instructions.
(4)
I have been told any second coat on a previously painted pool will not
last more than 1 to 2 years. Why is this?
What the pool paint
and epoxy paint manufacturers don’t tell you.
That is very true because all paints in time will chalk because of the
clay fillers that they have in their product. The initial paint on your
marcite plaster should last 3 to 4 years. During that 3 to 4 year period
the paint starts to chalk. Pool paint manufacturers claim for a second
coat you have to acid wash, power wash then you are ready for your next
coat of paint. This is not true. Your original paint is still chalking,
creating a barrier that will not permit the second coat to adhere. We
will not sell our UltraGuard unless you prep your pool properly. We
don’t want the track record that conventional paints have. When
you apply our penetrating sealer bond coat it actually becomes part
of the pool structure. Our top color coat has a chemical and physical
adhesive bond strength of 2000 psi. You now have a no fail system.
Do it once, do it right!
(5)
I have read an epoxy website for pool coatings that has a 5-year warranty.
How does this differ from your 5-year warranty?
Warranties are always made in the favor of the manufacturer. They normally
hold many loop holes and qualifications. One main reason for paint failure
is chalking caused by the clay, silica and fillers they add to the resin.
Their loophole excuse is usually that they say your water chemistry
was off and calcium is causing the chalking not the paint.
If a failure of blistering or delamination occurs they will ask you
to send samples of your paint. They will test your paint and prove you
did not prep your pool properly. Their prepping instructions have always
been inadequate. If we know the proper procedures of prep why don’t
they? Why don’t they tell you about the calcium, morning dew or
the temperature of your pool shell?
(6)
I purchased your UltraGuard 3000 4-years ago. I would like to know when
to recoat my pool. It looks fine at this time.
Our product is translucent because it does not contain
clays or fillers with 100% solids. On your UltraGuard 3000 you originally
had 7 mils thickness. Water wears down any product. When your UltraGuard
gets down to approx. ½ a mil you will be able to see the previous
undercoat. At this time all you have to do is lightly abrade or scuff
the pool surface. You will not have to be concerned with chalking, blistering
or any other product failures that you could have with other products.
(7)
If we apply the UltraGuard and it fails what are the conditions of your
warranty?
We first ask you to send a sample of your pool failure. We will then
have our chemist test it to find out why it failed. We will send you
a copy of this report to make sure you don’t make the same mistake
again. You must give us your control number and we will send you more
material to refinish your pool.
Click
Here for typical testing report.
(8)
I applied epoxy paint on my pool and it failed the 1st year. It came
off in sheets on the walls of the pool not the floor. The manufacturer
and contractor told me my water table was too high. Do you believe that
this was the cause of our failure?
Before any coating is applied to any pool substrate a moisture test
must be taken. Did you do a moisture test? I doubt the water table was
the reason for failure. If it was only the top that failed then you
probably needed a french drain around your pool.
Mr. Miller had a 5-year warranty from his contractor and the manufacturer
in which they did not stand behind.
Click
Here to read about Mr. Miller’s similar ordeal.
(9)
I painted my pool with a 2-part epoxy paint system 4 years ago. I can
now see concrete and not paint in some areas. My pool has been cloudy
for the past 2 years and I find it very difficult to maintain good water
chemistry and fix this problem. What do you think caused this to happen?
When you mixed your epoxy A and B you may not have mixed it properly
or there was moisture on the pool at time of application.
(10)
Why is UltraGuard superior to other pool interior applications such
as Paint, Plaster,
and Fiberglass?
Click
These Links to Find Out (PAINT) (PLASTER)
(FIBERGLASS)
(11)
I would like to know if you have a client referral list that can attest
to the fact that your product is as good as you claim?
Positively!
We believe that the decision has already been made for you because of
our referrals.
Click Here
for list of Commercial and Residential Referrals
(12) If UltraGuard is so good, why aren’t more contractors handling
your product?
You are
right. This has been the Best Kept Secret in the pool industry today.
Pool
contractors today have no compassion for their customers. They know,
what is being offered for pool interior restorations is a perpetual,
chronic, application. UltraGuard has been the best kept secret in the
pool industry because plastering and painting pools have always been
a high volume, high profit business, with a life expectancy of only
2-6 years with no warranties.
UltraGuard is not a high volume installation. The materials
used for our coatings are Hi-Tech, Cross-Linking Polymers. These materials
are far more expensive then any other products being used in the pool
coating industry today.
In just 2-3 days,
the average person will find it far easier to install our product over
other pool interior applications and save between $5,000-$10,000 depending
on the size of your pool.
(13) It
is nearly 10 years since I applied your UltraGuard 6000. How will I
know when my pool needs to be recoated?
When the
bond coat starts to show through your color topcoat it’s time
to recoat. At that time lightly sand with a 35-40 grit sand paper with
a small hand grinder. Clean pool. You are ready to recoat. At this time
you will not have to be concerned about chalking, blistering or product
failure.
(14)
After seeing your video, I can understand why a Fiberglass installation
could be very difficult. My neighbor told me that a company called Fiber-Tech
offers a 25-year warranty with their installation. How credible are
they?
Many
of our new contractors were former Fiber-Tech dealers. Fiber-Tech and
other companies using a 2 oz. fiberglass mat have a history of early
failures. Many of their contractors have gone out of business or changed
their names because of the failures they experienced.
Fiberglass should not be used as a DIY
product. Click here
and see why. (video)
(15)
After reading your website you are very critical
of a fiberglass application. What makes your product superior, especially
your Armor structural glass application?
Evidently
you are on my home page, customer grievances (fiberglass failures).
If you want an education on fiberglass resins and gel coats click here
for the New
World of Polymers
(16)
My one-piece fiberglass drop in pool needs a new
topcoat. I searched on the Internet for a source to buy a gel coat for
my pool, but to my dismay, I could only find one source that was not
a manufacturer or a wholesale distributor. None of these sources offered
any warranties. Will the UltraGuard product work well on my pool surface
and why is it better than a gel coat?
I am sure
you found out there are over 130,000 listings on the Internet about
fiberglass gel coats, and as you noted, no national manufacturer or
distributor is willing to offer a quality gel coat as a redo on any
old swimming pool. Your one-piece fiberglass pool, when first manufactured,
had a thick gel coat placed on the mold first and then the fiberglass
shell on top of that. By manufacturing a pool in this manner the gel
coat could not extrotherminate (over heat), which gives it a greater
life expectancy.
On a redo on an old fiberglass
spa or pool the Vinyl Esters Gel Coats dry from the bottom up so they
hydrate outward and crystallize. This leaves small holes in their coatings
making them porous. This will eventually deteriorate, blister, oxidize
and chalk over a period of time."
(17)
I noticed you do not have any pictures of a one-piece
fiberglass pool on your website. Can your UltraGuard be used on a one-piece
fiberglass pool as a top color coat?
It is the
only product that should be used on any pool interior, which will give
any longevity. There are claims made today that gel coats have been
improved over the years. This is not true for swimming pool application.
(18) My fiberglass
Jacuzzi spa has small pinholes that are causing leakage and the top
GelCoat has disappeared. Can UltraGuard correct these problems?
Positively.
We recommend grinding the entire spa to remove the balance of the Gelcoat.
Using our special structural putty, the pinholes are then filled in
and lightly sanded after the curing period. You are now ready for the
UltraGuard topcoats.
(19)
Our
pool is 30 years old. It has a Fiberglass wall and a Concrete floor
and is leaking. HELP!
With the UltraGuard
and structural putty system you are capable of taking this type of construction,
which characteristically has the problems that you mention, to where
upon completion of your project using our materials, we can assure you
of a pool that is leak proof and the beautiful appearance of a brand
new pool
(20) How
long does it take to install the UltraGuard system?
With a team
of 2-3 people, approximately 2-3 days to give you a beautiful and maintenance
free installation.
(21)
How does the product bond with existing Concrete or Plaster Marcite
Pools?
After the
pool has been prepared, an exclusive penetrating 2000-PSI bond coat
is applied, which becomes an integrated part of the old pool structural
membrane. This application prevents future Hydrostatic Pressure that
causes pop-offs and delaminations. Click
Here for Further Details
(22) How
thick is the UltraGuard application?
Unlike
conventional paint or epoxy paint, which is at best 2 mils thick and
will shrink when applied, UltraGuard bond coat and one topcoat are applied
approximately 8 mils thick. The Armor color stone is approximately 16
mils thick. Both UltraGuard and Armor color stone, at time of cure,
will expand 15 to 20%. Our contractors offer a 10-year warranty on the
Armor color stone.
Click
Here for Info on Armor Color Stone
(23) How
does UltraGuard coatings provide protection against stains and discoloration?
Our exclusive
non-porous topcoats make our product virtually maintenance free from
stains and discoloration.
(24)
My pool has had a major algae problem over the years. With your UlraGuard
system, how will this be prevented in the future?
Unlike
other applications, UltraGuard is truly non-porous where algae cannot
in-bed itself into the surface.
Click
Here for Further Details
(25)
My pool has structural cracks, which causes it to leak. Can UltraGuard
correct this problem?
Glad you
asked. Nationally, every pool service company uses a 2-part epoxy to
repair cracks. Unfortunately, new cracking occurs shortly thereafter
next to where the repairs were made. With the UltraGuard "T"
repair system, cracking will never reoccur.
Click
Here for Further Details
(26)
What type of maintenance and chemical usage can I expect with the UltraGuard
system?
You should
maintain your pool the same as you did with your previously painted
or plaster finish. You will find that overall maintenance and chemical
usage for you pool will be far less than your previous coating.
(27) How
does freezing affect the UltraGuard product?
Our product
works extremely well with the expansion coefficient of concrete under
freezing conditions. Our penetrating bond coat, which has a 2000-PSI
adhesive strength, actually becomes the integral part of the substrate,
which now can be used in freeze/thaw climates.
(28)
What happens to the tile at the top of my swimming pool?
You have
3 choices depending upon your needs:
1. If the tile is
intact, our application starts below the tile line.
2. Remove the existing
tiles and apply the UltraGuard applications starting below the coping.
3. Have your tile
replaced by a local service company.
(29)
I
have broken and cracked steps inside the pool. What can I do to repair
them?
Our
structural putty product can be used to mold and restore the step areas.
(30) Is the UltraGuard application slippery, especially on the step
area?
Major Hotel
chains and Government facilities are applying UltraGuard knowing there
is no liability concerns, but we do recommend a textured finish and
a non-slip solution for the steps.
(31)
Can the weather conditions have an affect on applying UltraGuard?
Yes. The outdoor
temperature must be a minimal 55 degrees and the pool must be completely
dry.
(32)
Why do pool service companies always recommend white instead of colors?
This is
because dark colors streak and fade. This applies to all resurfacing
methods. The darker the color, the faster the degradation. We do no
offer or recommend a white surface. It will in time, 4-5 years, start
to turn yellow. This is true of all epoxies. We recommend the light
blue, which will give you a very natural look. We do not recommend black
because it will look like a lagoon in a short period of time. If you
want a dark rich color we recommend charcoal.
(33)
Is there any product that will remove a rust stain such as from a bobby
pin?
Our coating is definitely
stain resistant, but, when you have a rust stain, we recommend a product
called "Jacks Magic".
Click
Here for Further Details
(34)
Our pool is 30 years old. It has a Fiberglass wall and a Concrete floor
and is leaking. HELP!
With the
UltraGuard and structural putty system you are capable of taking this
type of construction, which characteristically has the problems that
you mention, to where upon completion of your project using our materials,
we can assure you of a pool that is leak proof and the beautiful appearance
of a brand new pool.
(35) I
understand there are Epoxy Paints that claim to contain the latest improvements
and are warranted for 5 years. How do they compare to UltraGuard.
These are
paints and not industrial coatings. They have at best 2 mils thickness
on a perfectly smooth surface and do not use a bond coat. Please read
their warranties carefully. You will find they are only responsible
to you for the product replacement, not the labor and preparation cost
required to recoat your pool.
It is a well known fact in the industry that epoxy paints exposed to
sunlight, or continued emersion, even in mild acids, will cause failures
such as blistering, chalking, and product delamination.
Conventional epoxy paints are not made to be a topcoat. They do not
contain the hi-tech fillers, cross-linking polymers, and the bond coat
that is necessary, it cannot be offered as a fail proof system.
The UltraGuard system meets government and industrial specifications
needed for coatings that are exposed to chlorine, gasoline, acids, and
many other chemicals. Our coatings have been known to last 35-40 years
in industrial applications.
Unlike epoxy paints that take at least 7 to 8 days curing time, the
pool must remain empty; our exclusive UltraGuard product can be filled
the day following the last application.
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