Aquatic Pool Decals Information

Pool Decals - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Q: Can the decals be installed in a pool without draining the water?

A: Yes, The Pool Decal was developed to be easily installed underwater, so there is no need to drain your pool.


Q: Will the decals stick to glass or tile?

A: The decals with pre-applied adhesive (Decal A) will adhere to most smooth surfaces, if the surface is clean and free of contaminants. For irregular or porous surfaces such as glass tile pools, or gunite pools use Decal B. Decal B is applied using BOSS 801 silicone adhesive, which allows for irregularities in the application surface. Please refer to the application instructions for more information.


Q: Will pool cleaners pull the decals up?

A: No; if the pool surface is thoroughly cleaned before installing the decal, pool cleaners will not pull them up. Our decals have been installed in test pools using both robotic and suction type cleaners for a period of one year with no visible signs of degradation in the adhesion of the decal to the pool surface.


Q: Will brushes or automatic cleaners scratch the decal surface?

A: The decal image is printed subsurface; therefore it cannot be scratched off. The clear surface of the Lexan plastic is scratch resistant but may lose some of its luster over time due to normal wear.


Q: Will the colors fade over time?

A: During the development of the Pool Decal, long term exposure to UV was our main obstacle. To ensure the colors of each decal remain vibrant for many years after the installation we have used the highest quality UV resistant pigments available. The image is printed below the protective surface of high performance UV resistant Lexan plastic for additional UV protection.


Q: Can the decals be used in hot tubs?

A: Yes, The decals are constructed of high performance Lexan plastic and 3M adhesives which have been rated for use in temperatures up to 350° Fahrenheit.


Q: Will freezing temperatures damage the decal or affect the adhesive?

A: No, the materials used to construct the decals are rated for temperatures of -40° to +350° Fahrenheit.


Q: Can the decal be used to cover a stain?

A: Some stains may reduce the adhesion qualities of the decal. The main issues that will cause problems with adhesion are scale and/or iron stains. If these are detected the pool surface must be treated before installing the decal, please request additional information.


Q: Can the decals be used on steps, swim outs, beach entries etc?

A: The Pool Decal is slippery when wet and should not be installed where it will be a slip hazard.


Q: What do I do if a section of the decal comes loose?

A: Lift the loose section and scrub the pool surface thoroughly; then apply BOSS adhesive to the decal, press down and smooth with the squeegee.

 

Q: Will the decal damage the vinyl liner?

A: No, the adhesive has been developed specifically for use on vinyl liner pools.


Q: How hard do I press down when I squeegee decal A?

A: When installing decal A underwater use as much pressure as you can achieve under these limiting conditions. If you have difficulty staying submerged when applying pressure, it may be helpful to have someone hold you down during this step of the installation.


Q: Can decal A be removed?

A: Decal A can be removed by carefully lifting an edge of the decal, gripping firmly and pulling with one hand while holding the vinyl liner down with the other. Most of the adhesive will remain on the pool surface. Let the adhesive soak overnight then rub off with fingers. If you are removing a large decal you may want to use an adhesive eraser. An adhesive eraser can be purchased for $1.99 at:   www.xyron.com/enUS/Products/Adhesive_Eraser_Cube.html


Q: Can decal A be reused?

A: Yes, decal A can be reused, though it should not be reinstalled using the same glue. Boss 801 silicone adhesive can be used to reinstall the decal.


Q: Can decal A be used as a patch on a vinyl liner pool?

A: Yes, the decals utilize an acrylic based pressure sensitive adhesive. When pressure is applied to the decal during installation the adhesive displaces the water and locks out all moisture, thus creating an excellent bond between the decal and the vinyl liner.

 

Q: Can the decals be installed immediately after the pool finish is applied on a cement pool?

A: The Pool Decal is designed to be applied to cement pool finishes after the finish has completed the full curing process. The curing process of pool finishes as with most cement products is mostly achieved within the first 28 days after application. This is the time that the majority of the chemical bonds are formed thus developing a durable watertight surface. During this curing process the cement is forming calcium hydroxide at a rapid rate hence the need to brush the pool finish on a daily basis and subsequently filter the byproduct out. At the end of the 28 days the pool water can be balanced and swimming can begin. Automatic vacuums and roller vacuums will no longer damage the finish or leave marks. However the curing process is not 100% complete. If we look at the amount of calcium hydroxide the curing process produces as 100%, this initial cure during the 28 days sees the cement producing approximately 60% of the Calcium Hydroxide byproduct it will form during the full cure. After this initial cure the production drops off rapidly. However, the cement continues to cure over the next 10 months. Requiring additional maintenance and potentially causing adhesion issues, if the Pool Decal is installed during this final curing stage.


Q: Will the silicone make a mess underwater.

A: Most of the silicone will stick to the squeegee; be sure to wipe the squeegee after each stroke and there will be very little to clean from the pool surface. The easiest way to clean the silicone from the pool surface is to let it dry for a couple of minutes then simply rub it off.


Q: How do I apply enough pressure when I squeegee the decal underwater?

A: If you have difficulty staying submerged when applying pressure, it may be helpful to have someone hold you down during this step of the installation.


Q: Can decal B be removed?

A: Yes, use a plastic putty knife to lift an edge of the decal then grip the decal firmly and pull.


Q: When is the best time to apply the Pool Decal?

A: The best time to apply the Pool Decal is after the first ten months of the pool being built or resurfaced. This will allow for the curing process to run its course. To ensure maximum adhesion the curing process can be followed by either a spot treatment of the installation area, a drained pool acid wash or a no drain acid wash to remove any of the calcium that remains on the surface of the pool finish. In addition to potentially causing adhesion issues between the Pool Decal and the pool finish the calcium buildup can cause the pool finish to appear dull, therefore the acid wash is also a common treatment used to return the pool to its original beauty.


Q: What can be done to minimize any adhesion issues if installed before 10 months?

A: If you don’t want to wait 10 months; then it is recommended that you wait a minimum of 60 days and spot treat the area where you will be installing the Pool Decal. NOTE: Spot treatment may cause the treated area to appear brighter than the surrounding untreated area. The spot treatment will remove the calcium that has formed on the surface of the pool finish. We recommend using JACK’S MAGIC - Stain Solution #2 to treat the installation area. All JACK’S MAGIC products come with detailed instructions for spot treatment. Once the spot treatment is completed follow the installation instructions for the Pool Decal. NOTE: This Pre-Cure installation process is done with the understanding that the pools finish is not fully cured and there may be adhesion issues to deal with in the future.


Q: What can be done if an Aqua Decal Loses Adhesion to a Cement Surface?

A: If a Pool Decal looses adhesion it can easily be reapplied without draining the pool. If the decal comes up either partially or fully, the installation area will need to be treated to reaccept the adhesive bond. This can be accomplished with a spot treatment using an acidic product such as JACK’S MAGIC Stain Solution #2 “The Copper and Scale Stuff”. First, treat the area where the decal has lost adhesion according to the JACK’S MAGIC spot treatment instructions and then simply reapply the Boss adhesive to the decal and squeegee down.


Q: Does silicone remain on the pool surface after removing a decal?

A: The silicone adheres to the decal upon removal. If any residue remains simply rub off with fingers.


Q: Can decal B be reused?

A: Decal B can be reinstalled using BOSS silicone adhesive.


Q: Does it leave a stain after removing a decal?

A: The decal will not stain the pool surface though some pool surfaces will fade over time, as a result of exposure to UV rays. The area under the decal is not exposed to UV rays therefore it will not fade. This may cause a variation in shades between the exposed area and the area under the decal.

This list may not answer all the questions you have about the Pool Decal. If you have a question that has not been answered please email: askalanaquestion@msn.com and we will try to provide the information.
 

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