The UK's bestPond Paint2022 Review

Suitable for concrete, fibreglass, brick and stone, this TA Paints Chlorinated Rubber Pond Paint can be used to give ponds a new lease of life.

It comes in a range of colours that will complement an aquatic setting, and is safe to be used in ponds with fish as long as the paint is left to cure for seven days.

Once dry, the paint achieves a gloss finish, and it can be applied using several different methods: using a paintbrush, roller or sprayer. It has a smooth consistency and spreads on easily without leaving brush strokes.

As well as improving the appearance of tired ponds, this paint also has some restorative properties. Due to its waterproof nature, it’s able to fill in small cracks whilst painting. You may find that ponds which previously leaked are better sealed after using this paint. Naturally, this can be very useful as it’s not always possible to locate hairline cracks in ponds.

New ponds will also benefit from an extra layer of sealant.

The paint reaches ‘touch dry’ in approximately 40 minutes; however, at least 12 hours should be left between applying the first and second coat. It then needs to be left for a further seven days, to allow all the solvents to evaporate, before being considered safe for aquatic life.

If you’re after a quality, no-nonsense option, that gives you a choice of different colours, this is one of the best pond paints to go for. Not only can it dramatically improve the appearance of old, worn out ponds, but it helps seal them too.

If you want to refresh a black pond base, this Waterproof & Pond Paint is a sleek, high-quality choice that both seals gaps and boosts appearances.

It comes in a 500 ml tin, which may not sound like a lot but it goes a long way. The paint itself is smooth and relatively thin; it’s easy to apply with either a brush or a roller and requires two to three coats.

Depending on the porosity of the surface, it’s estimated that 500 ml will cover an area of approximately 10 – 13 m².

When applied, it becomes showerproof in two hours and, after properly curing and drying, will not be toxic to aquatic life. Therefore, it’s appropriate for ornamental ponds, as well as those with fish in them.

However, if your pond is made from fibreglass, this paint will not be suitable; it won’t adhere strongly enough to the surface.

Nevertheless, fibreglass aside, it’s one of the best pond paints for either touching up parts of a black pond base, or applying a whole new coat. As a sealant it works well to stop leaks, and the satin finish creates a smart overall look for the pond.

It can also be used for several other applications such as gutters, roofs and concrete.

If you’ve noticed leaking and water loss from your pond or water feature, this Bonda G4 Pond Sealer is a good bet for sorting out the problem.

It’s a clear liquid sealant, and therefore not so much of a ‘paint’ as the other options featured on this page. As a result, it can either be used on a small section of pond, or to cover larger areas – no matter the colour.

Just be aware that it can dry with a slightly yellow tinge, which may be most obvious when applied over white surfaces.

One bottle contains a kilogram of product, which should be sufficient for the majority of jobs. If the surface is porous, up to four coats may be required. Other surfaces can generally get away with two.

The liquid itself is thick and can quickly become tacky as it dries, but it’s relatively easy to paint on. You won’t be able to clean the paintbrushes after use unless you have an acetone cleaner, so bear this in mind before starting.

The second coat can be applied quickly, in as little as three hours, and after 72 hours the sealer will be fully cured. Although the product is quite thick, care should be taken to apply it in thin layers.

Once cured, ponds painted with G4 pond sealer will be suitable for aquatic life. However, you should be aware that there are a lot of different safety warnings that come with this product and it should be used with caution. It also has an extremely pungent smell.

However, in terms of effectiveness, it’s one of the best pond paints for sealing cracks. It’s a great option for making both ponds and water features water tight, and can be applied to surfaces of any colour because of its relatively transparent finish.

For those who are looking to avoid solvent-based paint, this Epoxy Pond Paint is non-toxic alternative.

Like all epoxy resin, it requires two parts to be mixed together carefully to create a product that will harden. Getting the mixing ratio right is very important, which can be tricky if not intending to use all the product in one go.

It comes in a 2.5 L tin, and 1 L will cover approximately 7 m².

In terms of application, it cures quickly, and a second coat should be applied as soon as the first coat is touch dry – this may take less than one hour depending on weather conditions. The resin can ‘hard dry’ in as little as 12 hours, although the maximum cure time is eight days.

The main benefit of this product is that it is water based and creates a very hard, waterproof seal. It’s also easy to apply with either a paintbrush or a roller.

However, there are downsides to the resin too, and you have to work quicker than you would with other pond paints. On a warm day, all of the mixed resin inside the tin can harden in as little as an hour, so you need to be prepared to work fast.

It’s also an expensive product, especially considering that some of it will likely be wasted in the tin.

Nevertheless, its results are impressive, and it’s one of the best pond paints if you want something water based that will create a strong, waterproof seal.

If you think it sounds near-impossible to completely dry your pond before painting it, you might be relieved to hear that the Gold Label Aqua Pond Paint can be applied to damp surfaces.

It’s water-based, non-toxic and self-priming, and one of the best pond paints to use even if the area isn’t perfectly dry.

Before application, two ‘parts’ of paint need to be thoroughly mixed together in order to create a solution that will harden. It can be a little difficult to accurately mix the right amounts, especially if you purchase the large 5 L tin, but you can save the rest of the paint for another time.

This black paint is easy to apply with either a brush or roller and is safe for fish after it has fully cured. It can even be used to fix cracks without fully draining the pond, as long as you’re careful that no water comes into contact with the product until it’s had time to cure completely.

It’s suitable for both ponds and water features, adhering well to the majority of surfaces such as concrete, brick, fibreglass and plastic. There’s no priming required either, saving time by cutting out that job.

When applied to smooth surfaces, 1 L will cover approximately 6 – 8 m². Two coats are required in order properly seal the surface.

Overall, it’s a great product that seals gaps and also greatly improves the appearance of black ponds and water features; however, it is the most expensive paint featured on this list, so isn’t a great choice for anyone working to a budget.