Painting near a glass pool fence: protect the panels, spigots and hardware
Painting a wall or deck beside a glass pool fence is easy to get wrong. Here is how to keep the glass and hardware clean.
What can go wrong when you paint near glass fencing
Overspray and splatter on glass and hardware
Paint that lands on glass, spigots or hinges is hard to remove once it dries. Roller splatter, wind-blown spray and drips from above are the usual causes, so protect the fence before you open a tin.
Scratching the glass when removing paint
Dried paint is tempting to scrape off, but metal scrapers and abrasive pads can scratch glass. Remove wet paint straight away with a damp cloth, and follow the paint maker's instructions for dried paint. Test any product on a small, hidden spot first.
How to protect a glass pool fence while painting
- Cover the panels and hardware with plastic sheeting or drop sheets, taped at the top only so wind cannot lift them.
- Mask spigots, hinges and latches with painter's tape, then cover them.
- Keep spray painting away from the fence. Brush and roll where you can.
- Paint on a calm day so overspray does not drift onto the glass.
- Work from the top down so drips do not land on finished work or the fence.
- Take the covers off carefully, and clean the glass with a soft cloth and a glass cleaner.
What to check on the fence afterwards
Gaps, height and hardware after work near the fence
Check that nothing was moved, and that no hinge, latch or panel was knocked while you worked. The QBCC says glass panels should show no signs of fracture and the gap under the barrier should be 100mm or less. See the glass pool fence requirements. Also check that paint, masking or ladders left nothing on the outside that could give a foothold, since the QBCC says there should be no accessible ledge greater than 10mm.
When to hire a professional painter
Large exterior jobs, work at height and anything that needs spraying near the pool are worth handing to a professional, who has the covers, ladders and experience to protect the fence. If you are in Sydney's Inner West, Brushworks Painters, an owner-operated painting business in Sydney's Inner West, handles exterior and fence painting for homes in the area. This article covers Queensland pool rules, so check the rules where you live.
Common questions
Can paint damage a glass pool fence?
Paint on glass and stainless hardware is hard to remove once dry, and metal scrapers or abrasive pads can scratch glass. Cover the panels and hardware before painting and clean wet paint off straight away.
How do I protect pool fence spigots from paint?
Mask the spigots with painter's tape, cover them with plastic sheeting, and keep spray painting away from the fence.
What should I check after painting near a pool fence?
Check that no panel, hinge or latch was moved, that the glass shows no signs of fracture, and that the gap under the barrier is still 100mm or less, as the QBCC lists.
General information only. This is practical advice, not a compliance check. If you think your fence was damaged or moved, ask a licensed pool safety inspector to check it.