I am subscribed to this thread now. Impressive work so far. I understand the DIY hesitation to letting someone else replaster, but IMO that is likely the best option. There was a post on the internet about a guy who replastered his pool, I think it is probably about 20 years old now, but it did not sound fun. I cannot find it now, but the guy was an engineer and I actually found it because he posted how to change a garage door torsion spring, back in 2003/4 timeframe, before youtube was a big thing (might not have been a thing at all then, I don't remember).
I am also a big proponent of DIY, but when my pool is due for a replaster, I will hire the actual plaster portion out. I will likely do all the chipout to save the money.
--Jeff