We had a friend re-gelcoat our VERY old fiberglass pool. He does boat fiberglass for a living, so he does know what he is doing. Finished the pool in early May. We waited over a week before filling. Gelcoat was cured, not tacky at all. Final coat was with wax added. Started having water tested at pool store and followed all their instructions. Needed a lot of calcium as we have soft water, but otherwise nothing too crazy. After about two weeks we noticed that the water was cloudy after we went swimming. Also noticed a white residue (almost like paint) would be on the walls when we wiped it. I added a flocculant and the next day it looked like it had snowed in the bottom of the pool. Vacuumed it to waste and hoped that would be the end of it. It wasn't. We have repeatedly had the water tested and the chemistry is as it should be. Can gelcoat be bad from the start? I can't find ANY info about something like this. Many say calcium, but it does not seem to be that. The water is perfectly clear if you let it settle. I am hoping we do not have to drain and redo again! Any input would be appreciated!
gelcoat problem
- Thread starter TECH16
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,051
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Don't be surprised if it's not. Pool store testing and advice is very often way off the mark. The very first thing you should do before making any chemical assumptions is to test your own water with a reliable test kit. I recommend any of the TF-series test kits (see my signature), but a Taylor K-2006C will also work. But you must have one of those so we can see reliable test results. That's step #1.
In the past here on the forum, I recall some other FG owners who had a white film that seemed to "wipe away" with their hands or fingertips. Much different than those (like me) who developed a more permanent white chalkiness that was embedded in the gelcoat. For those that wiped away, some claimed improvement by adjusting the TA/CH, but those were isolated events. Either way, we need to see some reliable test results first. Post those when you get on of those test kits and we'll see if we can guide you further.
Also be sure to visit our Pool Care Basics for lots of great info, and update your signature as well please.
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