POND SHIELD EPOXY FAQ

What can Pond Shield be applied to?
Pond Shield can be applied to concrete, cement, shotcrete, gunnite, stone, tile wood, steel, aluminum, rock, some plastics, old coatings (as long as they are prepared properly first) fiberglass, and many more surfaces.

Can I coat my pond liner with Pond Shield?
No. Pond Shield is designed to be applied to any constructed surface like those listed above.

Is Pond Shield fish and plant safe?
Absolutely! We actually send Pond Shield samples out to be tested in the mixed, uncured state to be sure no harm will come to your aquatic life.

Where can I purchase Pond Shield in my local area?
Just click the Find a Retailer or Installer link to the left and enter in your zip code and the amount of miles you are willing to travel to any given retailer.

What do I do if my retailer doesn't carry Pond Shield yet?
You can 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 above.

How long before I can put water an fish in my pond?
The instructions will tell you to wait for 72 hours. However, if you inspect every bit of your coating the next day and are sure that it is dry and there are no tacky spots anywhere, you can add water and fish.

I'm a retailer. How do I purchase your product?
You can either purchase through any of our distributors listed by following the Trade Discounts link above or you can contact us. We do offer trade discounts for retailers.

I'm a contractor/installer. How do I purchase your product?
You can either purchase through any of our distributors listed in the Trade Discounts section, or by following the Find a Retailer or Installer link above, or you can contact us. We do offer trade discounts for contractors/installers.

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, you should take care to properly prepare the surface prior to applying Pond Shield. Be sure to remove any old coating that is coming off, but the best case scenario is to remove all of the old coating prior to application. It's best not to rely on the failing bond of the old coating. If you find that some of the old coating is still bonding sufficiently, then you should sand the remainder with at least 60-grit sandpaper to give the material tooth.

How many coats do I have to apply?
Well that depends.  Pond Shield is thick like grease and can be applied in one 10mil coat. However, you may find it a little too thick for your liking the first time out.  If this is the case, you can thin Pond Shield with Denatured Alcohol ONLY (found in places like Home Depot or Lowes) and by 3%-5% to start, but no more than 10%.  If you thin Pond Shield out too much you run the risk of washing the pigments (Pond Shield will look semi transparent) and you may have to apply additional coats in order to achieve a 10mil thick over-all thickness.

Can I apply a second coat of Pond Shield over the first?
Yes, but it is not necessary unless you are trying to correct the first coat application. 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. If you have to touch up and area you can apply Pond Shield over the top of itself with no extra surface preparation within 24 hours of the original application. After that 24 hour period, you should scuff the area being coating to give the material tooth.  Keep in mind the 24 hour limit is a suggested time frame.  Varying environmental conditions may require that you coat over in less time without sanding.

I applied Pond Shield and my pond still leaks. What is wrong?
Simply put, you missed something. After your initial coating is applied, you need to go back and inspect the entire surface are for flaws in your application. Ares like cracks, crevices, voids, concrete showing through and any similar areas need to be corrected before you call the job finished. Once you have successfully applied a 100% coating to the interior of your pond, it will not leak.

Can I use Pond Shield to waterproof my water 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.

Can I get Pond Shield in a color other than the ones you currently have?
Yes. We can match any solid color you choose. Just send us a paint chip with the color you'd like and we'll match it. Because of the way the components that make up Pond Shield are mixed, you have to order a minimum of 20 quart and a half kits when ordering a custom color.

Do I have to acid etch my concrete before I apply Pond Shield?
Absolutely. There are two very important reasons for acid etching. First, the muriatic acid will remove and calcium deposits that form as concrete cures. These calcium deposits will fall over time anyway and you do not want to have your coating bonded to them. Finally, acid etching will neutralize the alkaline properties in the surface of the concrete, creating a much better bond.

Can I just spot coat a crack in my pond?
That is not advisable. If you give Pond Shield the very best circumstances in which to work, you'll end up with a coating that will give you years and years of service. You should repair the crack properly and then apply a complete coating over the entire area that will be submerged so that it will work the way it was meant to work.

Do you have a catalog that can be sent to me?
No. We do not have a catalog. All of our products are here on the web site along with just about any information you will need to successfully coat your pond.

I am not getting the square footage you advertise on the kit.  What is wrong?
Most of the time this can be attributed to the surface condition of the concrete or other substrate you are applying Pond Shield to.  Rough, uneven areas will eat up material and cause you to be short over-all.  Other times it can be related to improper mixing which will result in the coating curing too quickly and becoming unworkable or not removing the coating from the container it was mixed in.  being exothermic, Pond Shield will set up a lot faster if mixed incorrectly or left in the same container you mixed it in.  It's best to pour it directly into the pond where you will begin work or into a large, flat paint pan of some sort.  Finally, the use of incorrect tools will make the application process difficult too.  We recommend that you start with a rubber window squeegee or plastic, flexible spreader to apply the coating and then move on to a short nap roller.  The end thickness of the coating is much easier to achieve if you use the proper tools.  Please read through all of the instructions that came with the kit.  If you did not receive instructions, please contact us for a set..