General FAQ
There are many different ways to use Pond Shield. If you have a special project that you are unsure of, give us a call at 800-716-1545. We will be happy to help!
I can’t find 90% isopropyl alcohol. What can I use?
The COVID-19 virus has seen to it that alcohol has been hard to come by. There are alternatives though. You can either use denatured alcohol, 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol, 180 proof vodka or 180 proof Everclear. Any of these will work just as good as the other. Remember, Alcohol is not necessarily needed if you are applying Pond Shield to a smooth surface.
What can Pond Shield be applied to?
Pond Shield can be applied to concrete, cement, shotcrete, gunnite, stone, tile wood, metals like steel, aluminum, copper, cast iron, brass, etc., rock, some plastics, old coatings (as long as the surfaces are prepared properly first) fiberglass, and many more surfaces.
Can I coat my rubber or plastic pond liner with Pond Shield?
No. The reality is that there is not anything on the market that will properly stick to a rubber or plastic liner with any real longevity. The problem is directly related to the process used to make these liners. The only real way to get anything to stick properly would be through a vulcanization process where both heat and pressure are applied to the liner and patch material in order to fuse them together.
Is Pond Shield fish and plant safe?
Absolutely! We send Pond Shield samples out to be tested to be sure no harm will come to your aquatic life.
Is there an odor with Pond Shield?
Not really. In fact it is so faint that most people think latex paint smells worse.
Is Pond Shield a HAZMAT material?
No, Pond Shield is not a HAZMAT material and can be shipped by ground, expedited air or sea freight. There are no special handling charges to ship our epoxy coating.
Do I need to prime the surface before I apply Pond Shield?
That depends on the surface. Pond Shield is a stand alone type of product for most applications. Some concrete or other brick or block surfaces have small pits and holes in them. These surface need a primer to displace the air in those holes in order to alleviate out gassing. Out gassing occurs when the coating is applied over a pitted surface and air is trapped in the pit or hole. When the coating starts the cure it heats up. The heat make the air expand into a bubble which eventually needs to be sanded and touched up. Pond Shield primer helps you avoid those types of issues. See the Application FAQ for details.
I am a home owner. Where can I purchase Pond Shield?
Pond Shield can be purchased directly through us by clicking the Store link above or if you prefer to call us at 800-716-1545, we can take your order over the phone. If you want to purchase from a local retailer, ask us and we’ll let you know who is in your area.
What do I do if my retailer doesn’t carry Pond Shield yet?
Ask them to contact us at 800-716-1545 and we’ll speak with them. In the mean time, if you need Pond Shield, you can order from us either by phone or through our secure online Store link above.
How long before I can put water an fish in my pond?
24 hours is usually good enough, though in colder seasons, you might wait an additional 12 hours. However, you might make sure that there are no tacky spots anywhere on the surface of the coating before adding water. If everything is dry, then you can add water and fish.
The finished surface is slippery. Can I do something to make it easier to walk on?
You can apply one last very thin coat to the surface and while the coating is still wet, sprinkle sand onto it. Let the coating cure and then vacuum off any residual sand. The sand will act as a non skid where ever you plan to walk.
I’m a retailer. How do I purchase your product?
Give a call at 800-716-1545 and we’ll talk to you about our vendor packages or click the Vendors link above and submit your information to us.
I’m a contractor/installer. How do I purchase your product?
Give a call at 800-716-1545 and we’ll talk to you about our installer packages or click the Vendors link above and submit your information to us.
How does Pond Shield compare to other products available to me?
Pond Shield was specifically designed around the flaws of virtually every other coating available in the pond industry. It is competitively priced and costs not much more than a rubber liner per square foot but offers much more stability. Pond Shield can be applied by you, the home owner and does not require a specialized crew for installation. Pond Shield has been referred to as “bullet proof”, “tough as nails” and “strongest coating ever used” to quote a few. While these are figurative forms of speech, Pond Shield has been designed strong and flexible to provide you with many years of virtually maintenance free service.
Can Pond Shield be applied over other old coatings?
Yes. However, care should be taken to properly prepare the surface prior to applying Pond Shield. Be sure to remove any old coating that is coming off. The best case scenario is to remove all of the old coating prior to application. It is best not to rely on the failing bond of the old coating. If some of the old coating is found to still be bonding sufficiently, then sand the remainder with at least 60-grit sandpaper to give the material tooth.
How many coats do I have to apply?
It really depends on how smooth or rough the surface is. Pond Shield needs to be applied at a minimum of 10 mils thick (like three sheets of paper thick). A rough surface usually requires that you thin Pond Shield which in turn means the Pond Shield will not hang at 10 mils in one coat. It will probably run or sag. So two coats applied at 5 mils works best. A smooth surface is easy to apply Pond Shield to and in those instances, you may be able to apply it in one single 10 mil thick coat.
Can I apply a second coat of Pond Shield over the first?
Yes, but it is not necessary if the coating is already at the minimum thickness of 10 mils or your are correcting flaws in the surface of the coating. Pond Shield is designed to perform properly at a finished thickness of 10mils. Applying it thicker will not hurt, but will cost more in regards to materials. The coating can be touched up over the top of itself with no extra surface preparation within 10 hours of the original application. After that 12 hour period, you should scuff the area with 60-grit sandpaper to give the surface tooth.
I applied Pond Shield and my pond still leaks. What is wrong?
Simply put, something was missed. After the initial coating is applied, the entire surface needs to be inspected for flaws in the application. Areas like cracks, crevices, voids, concrete showing through and any similar areas need to be corrected before the job is finished. Once the coating has been applied to 100% of the interior surface of the containment unit, There will be no leaks.
The best way to inspect the coating for flaws is to view the surface from an angle. Using a good light source like the sun, small flaws in the surface can be seen if there are any. A properly coated surface will appear smooth. Bear in mind that the underlying surface may make the coating look uneven as in a brick and mortar surface, but the coating itself will appear smooth if it is flawless. Should any imperfection like those mentioned above, simply scuff the spot with 60-grit sandpaper and touch up using a small dab of Pond Shield on a brush. Be methodical in your surface inspection. Look at every single square foot of the surface. In doing so, the chances of the coating failing are greatly decreased.
Can I use Pond Shield to waterproof my garden planters?
Yes. Pond Shield has been designed specifically for ponds and water gardens, but does have a great deal of other uses as well. Planters, aquariums (both fresh and salt water), grow beds, bird baths, and anything that would be used to hold water are perfect projects for Pond Shield.
Can I get Pond Shield in a color other than the ones you currently have?
Yes. We can match any solid color you choose. All wee need is a paint chip to match from. The color chosen needs to be a solid color only. The minimum purchase requirement for a custom color is five 1.5 gallon kits.
Do I have to acid etch my concrete before I apply Pond Shield?
Absolutely. HOWEVER, new concrete needs to cure out (hydrate) properly before acid etching can be done. Normal concrete needs to cure a minimum of 28 days and polymer or accelerated concretes need to cure a minimum of 7 days before any acid etching can be done. There are two very important reasons for acid etching. First, the acid will remove and calcium deposits that form as concrete cures. These calcium deposits will fall over time. The new coating will fall off attached to these deposits . Finally, acid etching will neutralize the alkaline properties in the surface of the concrete, creating a much better bond of the coating to the concrete. You can use Surface Prep, a user friendly/eco friendly biodegradable acid solution for this purpose. It is safer than muriatic acid and much easier to use.
Can I just spot coat a crack in my pond?
That is not advisable. The problem is that concrete is porous. Water will eventually leak out by finding a way around the repair. The crack should be repaired properly using Crack RX and then Pond Shield should be used over the entire submerged surface.
Do you have a catalog that can be sent to me?
No. We do not have a catalog. All of our products are on our Store page on the web site along the information needed to successfully coat a water feature.
I am not getting the square footage you advertise on the kit. What is wrong?
The square feet that a kit of Pond Shield is said to yield is based off of a mathematical calculation. This calculation is derived from knowing that 1 gallon of liquid material will spread out to 1604 square feet at 1mil thickness. If you calculate to any of the kits we offer and apply the coating at a thickness of 10mils on a smooth surface, the yield stated on the kit is what you can get. Rougher surfaces will yield less square footage because of all of the peak and valleys that the surface contains.
So when you experience not getting the square feet that you expect out of the coating, this can almost always be attributed to the surface condition of the concrete or other substrate that Pond Shield is being applied to. Rough, uneven areas use up material and cause the coverage to fall short. Other times it can be related to improper mixing which will result in the coating curing too quickly and becoming unworkable. Also not removing the coating from the container it was mixed in can cause it to cure quicker. It is best to pour the Pond Shield directly into the pond where work will begin or into a large, flat paint pan. Finally, the use of incorrect tools will make the application process difficult too. Please read through all of the instructions that came with the kit. Please contact us if you did not receive instructions.
