Experts Blame Application Errors for Reflecting Pool Issues
WHO:
The Washington Post - President Donald Trump, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, four experts in waterproofing materials, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, Mid-America Industrial Coatings, Rhino Linings.
Alternet - Steve Goodale, also known as "Swimming Pool Steve," Vito Mariano, Rudy Stankowitz, Michael Bushnell, Derek Downey.
WHAT:
The Washington Post - The peeling of the Reflecting Pool lining occurred in irregularly shaped patches that stretched alongside the long edges of the pool, with pieces ranging in size from a few inches to as long as six feet.
The Washington Post - The analysis found that all failures occurred at the seams, which are lines between two areas that were painted at different times.
The Washington Post - The dark blue Pipeliner 5000 coating had peeled off to reveal more of the same material in five of the spots, indicating an adhesion failure caused by an overlap of the dark blue over a dried layer of the same material at the seams.
The Washington Post - At a sixth spot, the dark blue Pipeliner 5000 was applied more than 24 hours after the light blue Rhino 406 primer, which experts said made it less likely that the two materials bonded properly.
The Washington Post - The seventh spot showed both the dark blue coating and light blue epoxy primer had peeled away, exposing the concrete.
The Washington Post - Atlantic Industrial Coatings stated that the areas needing repairs are a very small part of the massive 7-acre project and do not indicate a failure of the liner.
The Washington Post - The pool experienced one of the biggest recorded algae blooms in years just days after its reopening.
The Washington Post - Repairs to the pool could cost tens of thousands of dollars, according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
The Washington Post - The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool experienced peeling in at least seven locations after a $14 million renovation.
The Washington Post - President Trump claimed that vandals caused damage, stating, “The slashes were 300 yards long, and the floor of the pool was cut and then pulled upward, with great force, by these thugs.”
The Washington Post - Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that vandals left gashes totaling 350 feet.
The Washington Post - Federal authorities charged at least four people with alleged vandalism related to the Reflecting Pool.
The Washington Post - One individual, former Olympian David Hearn, has pleaded not guilty to a felony vandalism charge.
The Washington Post - The Reflecting Pool holds approximately 4 million gallons of water.
Alternet - Experts indicated that the renovation was a "humiliating disaster" and described it as a "botched" project.
WHERE:
The Washington Post - Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Washington D.C.
The Washington Post - The pool was renovated by Atlantic Industrial Coatings, based in New Canton, Virginia, and Mid-America Industrial Coatings, based in Oklahoma.
WHEN:
The Washington Post - The renovation was completed in early June.
The Washington Post - The pool was drained in preparation for repairs shortly after the damage was reported.
The Washington Post - The renovation process began on May 3, with various sections completed by May 15.
WHY:
The Washington Post - Experts suggested that the peeling was likely due to application flaws during the renovation process.
The Washington Post - The Trump administration claimed that the pool was vandalized, but experts doubted this assertion and noted a lack of evidence.
HOW:
The Washington Post - The Reflecting Pool was painted in sections, with the process beginning with a light blue epoxy base coat (Rhino 406) followed by a thick, sprayed layer of dark blue hybrid polyurea (Pipeliner 5000).
The Washington Post - The Reflecting Pool was painted in sections using two products from Rhino Linings: a light blue epoxy base coat (Rhino 406) and a dark blue hybrid polyurea (Pipeliner 5000).
The Washington Post - The application process involved cleaning and drying the concrete basin before painting, but experts noted that the timing and surface preparation were critical for proper adhesion.
The Washington Post - Experts indicated that the coating failures were likely due to poor surface preparation, missed curing windows, and a rushed timeline.
(UPDATED July 16, 2026 23:17 UTC)
The Reflecting Pool has experienced peeling of its lining in irregular patches, with some pieces measuring up to six feet long, primarily occurring at the seams where different paint applications meet. Experts have noted that adhesion failures were likely due to improper bonding, particularly where the dark blue coating was applied over a dried layer of primer, and repairs could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Atlantic Industrial Coatings has stated that these issues affect only a small portion of the overall seven-acre project and do not signify a complete failure of the liner.
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(UPDATED July 16, 2026 22:23 UTC)
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. has suffered significant damage, with peeling reported in at least seven locations following a $14 million renovation that was completed in early June. President Trump has claimed that vandals are responsible for the damage, stating that the slashes were 300 yards long, while Interior Secretary Doug Burgum noted that the gashes totaled 350 feet, leading to federal charges against at least four individuals, including former Olympian David Hearn, who has pleaded not guilty to a felony vandalism charge. Experts have criticized the renovation as a "humiliating disaster," suggesting that the peeling is likely due to application flaws rather than vandalism, pointing to poor surface preparation and rushed timelines as contributing factors.