Three year old pool developing white stain which seems to be possibly on the entire pool but only seen when the waterline drops. I have tried magic eraser, compound, and muriatic acid. None of them seem to do anything at all. It's hard to tell if this is like a calcium deposit or possibly etched the surface somehow. I've kept the pool at the recommended levels and use pool math weekly so not sure what caused this. Also I keep the calcium hardness very low.
White staining on fiberglass
- Thread starter p1zaul
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,855
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Most likely it's a relatively normal transition/reaction in the gelcoat as time goes on. No real rhyme or reason. See my experience below.
www.troublefreepool.com
Fiberglass Discoloration (Faded & Chalky) - My Story
DISCLAIMER The following is a dialog of my own personal experience. Any processes used, chemically or otherwise, were performed strictly on my own without any recommendations from Trouble Free Pools. FUTURE POSTING I am trying to keep this thread streamlined with just my own progress for all...
www.troublefreepool.com
This is kinda similar but only above the waterline, and if it is wet it disappears until dry again
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,855
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
That is the case with mine. I suspect if you lowered your water level you find the chalky appearance continues lower.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,477
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Texas Splash, I read your older thread before. I have the same oxidation as you were having. I believe it's oxidation since my CH numbers have not been high to make it a calcium problem. Also, the surface of the pool is just as smooth in the oxidized areas as it is in other areas. My pool is two-three years old. I've only owned it since last July. I have not been calculating CSI until the last test. The CSI for that test was -0.43. I've been increasing the CH incrementally. I started at 190 this spring and now have it up to 280.
In the end, I'll likely just live with the discoloration unless it really starts to bug me. Then I'll hire a pro. I would hate to pay for one if it's just going to re-oxidize a few years later. I don't know if the former owners did anything to cause the issue. I didn't find the numbers to be out of whack when I did my first test last year. Just slightly elevated pH (8.0) and FC (9.0). I do know they used a pool service.
In the end, I'll likely just live with the discoloration unless it really starts to bug me. Then I'll hire a pro. I would hate to pay for one if it's just going to re-oxidize a few years later. I don't know if the former owners did anything to cause the issue. I didn't find the numbers to be out of whack when I did my first test last year. Just slightly elevated pH (8.0) and FC (9.0). I do know they used a pool service.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,855
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
And that does happen. We have other members who went through the painful warranty process with the pool manufactures to get the shell re-coated, only to find it changing again a couple years later. I think it was around the 3-year mark where mine started to show changes.
Sanding does seem to help I used 2000 grit but not sure how to get shiney again the part that gets dulled above the waterline
- May 3, 2014
- 58,477
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I would think regular car wax would shine it up. Have to drop the water down to do it.
Just spitballing here. I did't do any research. There were concerns that car wax would not hold up to chlorine exposure. What about using the ceramic coatings they put on cars?
Yeah it's only really seen when the water line drops so not a huge deal, but would love to figure out a fix, maybe add tiles to the waterline, ever seen that on fiberglass?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,477
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Looks good! I wonder can that be done after the fact, I guess there would be a lip since the tiles would be on top not inset, but probably could work
- May 3, 2014
- 58,477
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The tiles are just set on the Fiberglass. Use a silicone based grout. Silicone grout is a pain to work with. So if you hire someone, you will need to be very specific.
www.troublefreepool.com
Fiberglass Pools - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
I've been reading a lot of old posts on chalky fiberglass pools. This thread makes it sound like this is just something you learn to live with. Is this true?? My pool is a few months old and I'm now noticing the same problem described in this thread. When dry it looks chalky. When wet it looks shiny and clear.