When preparing to apply your new epoxy pond coating, several things need to be considered, cleanliness, surface tooth and chemical properties of the surface area. Cleanliness can best be described as free of dirt or impurities. The example to the left represents what can happen when a concrete render is not properly bonded to the concrete shell. This area, in specific, had a hollow spot beneath it and had to be chipped away and repaired before any epoxy pond coating could be applied.
After any bad spots have been repaired, the chemical properties and can be addressed. With concrete, cement and tile or stone types of materials, the surface area should be acid etched with muriatic acid. This will help slough off any of the powdery residue that forms when concrete cures. Most importantly it will neutralize the alkaline properties of the concrete (which is important for the proper bonding of your new epoxy pond coating).
Surfaces like wood, steel or aluminum, you'll need to abrade with a 60-grit sandpaper and clean before applying your epoxy pond coating.
