10 Best Pond Paint [Buyer Guide]
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Ever wanted to paint your pond? Well, you come to the right place. In this buyer guide we will talk you through the 10 best pond paints available to buy right now! But first you ask, why would you need to paint your pond at all? Painting your pond has a range of many different benefits, the first and most obvious probably being the actual aesthetics of the pond. Got some outdoor scatter cushions in a nice bright yellow for the summer? Why not paint your pond to match! Pond paint comes in various different colours, so it’s a great option if you’re a big fan of colourful outdoor accessories. But, it’s also great if you’re into more minimal and sleek designs – as black or grey paint is also an option. Other than changing the colour of your pond, pond paint can actually improve the overall appearance of your pond, too. Is your pond looking quite tired and old? A lick of this durable, thick paint will revive it and make it look as good as new! It also covers any unsightly cracks and chips that your pond may have acquired over the years.
Other than improving the overall aesthetics of the pond, pond paint can also protect the pond itself. Say you’re adding a concrete pond to your garden as a bit of a feature and talking point. You want that to last for years to come, right? With the right level of overall maintenance, you pond will be able to last for – pretty much – a lifetime. Another thing you can do to lengthen that time is to paint it! So that’s where this buyer guide comes in handy too! There are a few things you need to consider before you buy, but don’t worry – we’re here to help.
ASK POND PAINT (Black)
ASK POND PAINT is a water based epoxy coating designed with an easy and safe application in mind. It can be applied in the same manner as ordinary emulsion paint with the added benefit of application in damp conditions. Once dried ASK POND PAINT leaves a tough, non toxic, waterproof and easy-to-clean surface coating, which of course is perfect for ponds. This pond paint comes in a sleek black which will look minimal and inoffensive in any outside space. Overall, a great all-rounder!
Key Features:
Designed for all concrete water features
Epoxy resin
Tough
Specification:
Brand
ASK coatings
Colour
Black
Type
Water-based
Drying time
Tough cure in 4 hours, hard dry in 12 hours, maximum cure 8 days
Volume
1L
Pros
Easy to apply with a brush or a roller
Washes out of painting equipment easily
Cons
Drying time is 12 hours before water can re-enter the pond
Cementone Bitumen Black Waterproofing Paint
This paint is not specifically for ponds, but can be used on them. This is great for the gardener who only has a small water feature, but needs waterproof paint for any other scenario. A great multi-use product! Coming in a sleek black, this paint is a solvent-borne bituminous black paint for use as a protective coating over ferrous and non-ferrous metals, cement and wood.
Key Features:
Can be used on metals, wood and cement
Easy to clean from brushes or rollers
Specification:
Brand
Cementone
Colour
Black
Type
Solvent-borne bituminous
Drying time
Quick-dry
Volume
1L
Pros
Multi-use product
Large tin
Easy to use
Cons
Not specifically for ponds so will have to wait until completely dry before water is present
ASK Pond Repair Kit
The third entry in our buyer guide is the ASK Pond Repair Kit. This kit is ideal if you needing to seal cracks, holes or stop leaks in your pond. Being very simple to use, all you have to do is apply the ASK putty to seal the crack or hole and then finish with a coat of ASK Pond Paint. It is super easy and safe to use on most surfaces. Another plus is that you’ll be able to save some money buying this as a kit as opposed to separate products, too. This kit comes in a range of different colours, so is perhaps the choice for the gardener wanting something other than black! The choice of colours available are: white, black, dark blue, green, light grey, mid grey, stone or clear.
Key Features:
Comes with putty and paint for extra protection
Available in a range of different colours
Epoxy-resin
Specification:
Brand
ASK Coatings
Colour
Available in white, black, dark blue, green, light grey, mid grey, stone or clear.
Type
Water-based epoxy resin & putty kit
Volume
1x2.5L pond paint and 1x500g epoxy putty
Pros
Kit works out cheaper than buying individual products
Cons
Putty not necessary if you're not needing to repair cracks or leaks
Raincheck Universal Water Seal
This paint is a multi-surface, colourless weatherproofer for use on masonry, timber and stone. It can be used on old and new buildings as well as ponds and water features to prevent damp penetrating or moisture ingress. It is solvent-free, and can be applied by brush, roller or spray – depending on your preference. A fully cured application of Raincheck Universal Water Seal still remains totally breathable. Vapour permeability will only reduce by approximately 10 – 20%, meaning that residual moisture is not trapped. This is comparable to number 1 on this list and is a great option if you’re needing a multi-use product.
Key Features:
UV protection
Up to 10 years weatherproofing
High Strength Formulation
Specification:
Brand
Raincheck
Colour
Colourless
Type
Water-based
Drying time
Quick-dry
Volume
5L
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
Colourless, so not ideal if you were wanting a block colour!
Liquid Rubber Color Waterproof Sealant
The perfect product for a roof restoration or planter box, Liquid Rubber Colour Waterproof Sealant works by creating a watertight seal to keep moisture where you want it. With multiple uses, the possibilities are endless. Another great option if you’re needing a multiple-use waterproofing product. This paint is easy to apply and is highly flexible when cured, meaning you won’t have to worry about minor movement ruining all of your hard work.
Key Features:
Safe
No solvents or VOC (volatile organic compounds)
Usable indoors and outdoors
Non-flammable
Specification:
Brand
Liquid Rubber
Colour
White
Type
Water-based
Drying time
Quick-dry
Volume
18L
Pros
Very large amounts
Multi-use product
Cons
Only comes in white
Drybase Liquid Applied DPM
Drybase Liquid Applied DPM is supplied is ready for use after two coats by brush, roller, or airless spray. Another multi-use water-proofer that can be used on a whole host of different surfaces and materials.
Key Features:
Low odour
Quick drying
Suitable for a range of different surfaces
Specification:
Brand
DryBase
Colour
Black or White
Type
Water-based
Drying time
Quick-dry
Volume
1L or 5L
Pros
Choice of colour
Easy to use
Cons
Not specifically for ponds so will have to wait until completely dry before water is present
Everbuild 402 High Performance Water Seal
This pond paint is again another multi-use waterproof sealant. It is a transparent water repellent and is specially designed and formulated to prevent and repel water penetration in all common substrates. Using the latest technology in silicone resin, with a solvent free formula, 402 Waterseal provides an improved durability and beading effect. It deeply penetrates into the surface to provide a long lasting, effective water repelling finish.
Key Features:
Powerful water repellent
Exterior use
Excellent coverage
Solvent free
Specification:
Brand
EverBuild
Colour
Clear
Type
Water-based
Drying time
Quick dry
Volume
5L
Pros
Easy to use and apply
Cons
Only comes in clear so not the option to go for if you're wanting a bold colour
Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant and Coating
Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant works by creating a watertight seal to keep moisture where you want it. With multiple uses, the possibilities are endless with this product. This is a great option if you’re wanting to make a whole lot of things waterproof, as it doesn’t have to be confined to just ponds.
Key Features:
Safe and environmentally friendly
No solvents or VOC (volatile organic compounds)
Usable indoors and outdoors
Specification:
Brand
Liquid Rubber
Colour
Black
Type
Water-based
Drying time
Quick dry
Volume
3.7L
Pros
Easy to use
Can be used indoors and outdoors with no special breathing apparatus
Cons
Can't be applied in wet weather conditions
Summary
So after you’ve read all of these reviews, you’ll be able to hopefully see which pond paint is the right one for you, your garden and your budget. However, like we said above, there are some considerations you need to keep in mind before you buy. In this section of the buyer guide, we’re here to help you figure out these considerations before you buy.
Colour and appearance
If you’re wanting to match your pond paint to any other garden accessories like your garden obelisks, garden swing or garden storage bench, there will definitely be a colour for you. As the first thing you see when you walk into any garden space, the colour and overall appearance of your pond might be the most important thing for you. The huge plus of painting your pond is that the appearance and colour of your water feature can be altered with ease. Some pond paints are available in a range of colours and finishes, so it’s great if you’re wanting to customise or add a bit of your own touch on things. We’re able to group colour with the overall appearance of your pond in this section, as pond paint can not only change the colour of your pond – but can also seal any knobbly or cracked bits that have appeared over time. Pond paint is usually a very thick type of paint, which can tidy up any fine cracks or weathered areas. Another benefit of doing this is that the paint can actually prevent further weathering or damage, but that’s for our next buyer consideration section…
Will it prolong the life and appearance of my pond…?
A lot of different types of pond paint are made with the expectation of prolonging the life and the way your pond looks for years to come, and actually painting your pond is considered a way of keeping it in tip-top shape for as long as possible. This is because of the type of paint that most pond paints are. They’re often thick, epoxy or rubberised paints which means they are able to create a waterproof seal. And what better paint to use when you’re wanting to keep a water feature fresh and beautiful. When you’re shopping for pond paint, keep in mind what it is actually made of – making sure that pro-longing the life of your pond is in its list of promises. If you do opt for a pond paint that is able to create a waterproof seal, it will ultimately mean you’ll have to tend to it a whole lot less. Maintenance becomes a lot easier, and therefore your pond will look beautiful for years to come. A great option if you’re wanting to make your water feature a real focal point in your outside space.
Is it safe?
If you’re keeping fish in your pond (as most people do) it is important to make sure any paint that you’re using in/and around it is safe to aquatic life. For most people, what first comes to mind when they think of paint and fish or living animals together will automatically be a no-go. However, modern pond paints are made with the safety of aquatic life in mind and are actually made with completely non-toxic ingredients. This is obviously great for those who were considering not painting their pond due to their outside fish. So, top tip: if you’re painting a pond in which you’re wanting to keep fish, always make sure it’s non-toxic and fish safe.
Ease of application
The ease of application when considering pond paint is always affected by a few main factors. Firstly, the type of paint will affect the ease of application. For example, if you’re opting for a water-based pond paint, they are a whole lot easier to apply. It also means that the paint washes out of brushes and rollers easily while still wet. However, you will need to make sure the weather is on your side and you have a dry day in the forecast to apply, as it will also wash off your pond if it rains before the paint dries. Heavier duty options like rubber or plastic-based paints – like we mentioned above – might require you to buy or use old brushes and rollers. This is because of their sealant abilities, it makes it incredibly hard to the paint out of your painting equipment. However, they have the added benefit of being rain-proof a lot quicker than their water-based counterparts.
A second factor that affects ease of application is whether your pond paints can be applied to damp surfaces. Obviously, water is present in a pond and that means it can be quite hard to get your pond or surface perfectly dry before applying your paint. Some paint options can be applied on damp surfaces, which makes it a lot easier for you as you won’t have to wait for your pond to be completely dry or be worried about any unexpected rainfall.
Drying speed
As with all paints, drying speed will vary from product to product, and is also dependent the style of product. A good thing to look out for is the manufactures’ list of a few different ratings on how fast the paint dries in certain scenarios. There are different stages of the drying process which will ensure certain levels of protection from water damage. If you’re unaware of these stages, we’ve listed them for you here:
- Touch dry: this means when the paint is dry enough that contact with its won’t effect it or scrape it off easily. However, you won’t be able to paint your second coat, or fill your pond when its only touch dry.
- Second coat: this refers to the time frame for when you can paint on your second coat. The faster this time is the easier it is for you to apply all the coats you need to in a shorter time frame.
- Showerproof: this refers to how quickly the paint can cope with a shower or a small amount of water hitting it.
Overall, you want to look for a paint that dries reasonably quickly as this allows you to get the job done faster and not worry too much about the unpredictable British weather.
FAQ
Can I fix a leaky pond with pond paint?
The answer is yes! We’ve linked a video here of someone showing you how to do it!
How do you seal a cement pond?
In order to successfully seal a cement pond, simply apply some sealer over the concrete, using a roller or brush. Then, paint the concrete with a primer that is compatible with concrete surfaces. Apply two or three thin coats, as necessary. Let the surface dry thoroughly between coats. All done!