saltwater chemistry Archives - Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants

How To: Cleaning a Swimming Pool Salt Cell

Post author:Contributor
Post published:July 25, 2020
Post category:Equipment

[responsivevoice_button voice="US English Female" buttontext="Listen to Post"] salt cell care, pH control, & phosphate removal ? More and more people are installing SWGs (saltwater generators) these days. Part of a…

With permission of Robert W. Lowry

The Truth About Saltwater Pools

Post author:Rudy
Post published:January 3, 2018
Post category:Water Chemistry

The Truth About Saltwater Pools How Salt Chlorine Generators Really Work Pool professionals hear the same statement constantly: “I don’t use chlorine. I have a saltwater pool.” This belief is…

Talking Pools Podcast

If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.

Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact.

Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day. And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities.

Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster. That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.

If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird.

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The Truth About Pool Coatings, Surface Preparation, and Why Failures Really Happen

Everyone wants to know which pool paint is the best.

Wrong question.

In this episode of Talking Pools, Rudy Stankowitz takes listeners far beyond the paint can and into the science of coating failures, adhesion, compatibility, moisture, and surface preparation. Using the recent attention surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as a jumping-off point, Rudy explains why nearly every coating failure investigation asks the same question:

What happened before the paint ever touched the surface?

From chlorinated rubber and acrylics to epoxy and high-build epoxy systems, this episode explores the strengths, weaknesses, and proper applications of today's most common swimming pool coating systems. More importantly, it explains why even the most expensive coating in the world can't overcome poor preparation.

If you've ever wondered why one painted pool lasts fifteen years while another begins peeling after a single season, this episode connects the dots between chemistry, application, environmental conditions, and good old-fashioned craftsmanship. Along the way, Rudy shares real-world stories, practical advice, and plenty of his signature Gen X humor.

Whether you're a pool service professional, contractor, facility manager, or simply fascinated by how coatings succeed—or fail—this is one of the most comprehensive discussions on swimming pool coatings ever presented on the Talking Pools Podcast.

In This Episode

Why asking ”What's the best pool paint?” is the wrong question
The lessons every pool professional can learn from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
Why compatibility between coating systems matters
Understanding chlorinated rubber, synthetic rubber, acrylic, epoxy, and high-build epoxy coatings
Why surface preparation determines the success or failure of almost every coating system
How to properly inspect an existing painted pool before recoating
The importance of documenting coating failures before disturbing the evidence
Mechanical adhesion vs. chemical adhesion explained in plain English
Why moisture remains one of the biggest enemies of successful coating applications
Proper cleaning, sanding, acid washing, and contamination removal
How silicone contamination, chalking, oils, and residue interfere with adhesion
Why weather, humidity, dew point, and curing conditions matter
Understanding recoat windows and why missing them creates problems
Common causes of blistering, peeling, and coating delamination
Adhesive failure vs. cohesive failure vs. substrate failure
ASTM testing methods used during professional coating failure investigations
Why coating failures should be investigated—not guessed

Key Takeaways

✔ The most expensive coating cannot overcome poor surface preparation.

✔ Compatibility between existing and new coating systems is critical.

✔ Surface contamination is often invisible but can completely prevent proper adhesion.

✔ Moisture inside concrete can remain long after the surface appears dry.

✔ Proper environmental conditions are just as important as choosing the right coating.

✔ Good investigators document the failure before removing any evidence.

✔ Most coating failures begin long before the pool is filled with water.

✔ Successful coating jobs are built on preparation—not luck.

Memorable Quotes

”Surface preparation isn't part of the job. Surface preparation is the job.””Compatibility matters. Chemistry matters. Guessing doesn't.””Painting a pool isn't hard. Knowing when not to paint—that's what separates a guy with a roller from a pool professional.”

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Listen If You…

Paint or recoat swimming pools
Service painted pools
Investigate coating failures
Work with commercial aquatic facilities
Want to better understand adhesion and coating science
Enjoy deep technical discussions presented in plain English
Like your pool education served with a healthy dose of Gen X sarcasm

Connect With Talking Pools

Questions about coatings, chemistry, troubleshooting, or a future podcast topic?

📧 talkingpools@gmail.com

Subscribe to the Talking Pools Podcast Network wherever you get your podcasts, and join thousands of pool professionals each week for practical discussions on water chemistry, coatings, equipment, business, and everything that makes you a better pool pro.

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