What can Pond Shield be applied to?
Pond Shield can be applied to concrete, cement, shotcrete, gunite, 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 to fuse them together.
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.
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?
No, Pond Shield is a stand-alone type of product for most applications. Unlike other coatings that consist of primers, base coats, and top coats, you only need Pond Shield epoxy to do the job. The only instance where a primer is useful is when you plan to coat steel. 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 homeowner, and does not require a specialized crew for installation. Pond Shield has been referred to as “bulletproof”, “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 coatings that is coming off. The best-case scenario is to remove all of the old coatings prior to application. It is best not to rely on the failing bond of the old coatings. If some of the old coatings 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?
Well, that depends. Pond Shield is thick like grease and can be applied in one 10mil coat on smooth surfaces. According to the instructions provided, thin Pond Shield with Denatured Alcohol or 99% Isopropyl Alcohol ONLY. The instructions will walk you through the mixing procedures and include specific recipes for both smooth surfaces and rough surfaces as well as the application tools you plan to use.
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 you 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 12 hours of the original application. After that those 12 hours, 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 many other uses as well. Planters, aquariums (both fresh and salt water), grow beds, birdbaths, 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 twenty 1.5 quart kits (five 1.5 gallon kits).
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. 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.
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 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 here 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 on 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.
