Small orange specks on fiberglass steps. Nothing getting them out.

[BadBack]

Having a new deck and liner being done. The steps are in OK shape and didn't want to spend another 4 or 5k on new ones.

I've been cleaning the mess out of them and they look OK but have these small orange dots that I cannot figure out how to get out.

I've used

Bleach
Vinegar
Ascorbic acid
Simplegreen
Muriatic/Hydrochloric acid
Oxalic acid (barkeepers friend paste that I let sit an hour)
Pressure washer

Everywhere else on the steps look good except this area. It's on the part of the steps that isn't submerged.

I don't want to get too aggressive sanding as that doesn't "feel" right. And not convinced I could do a good job with the Olympia refinish kit. My pool fella only does replacements on steps, doesn't know anything about refinishing them.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Do the spots feel raised above the gel coat or are they smooth with the surface of the material?

 

[BadBack]

I can't feel any bumps or divots, feels completely smooth to me.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

It could just be some organic junk that got embedded into the porous coating. There’s no way to remove it without mechanically sanding down the upper layer. The refinish kit would allow you to redo the coating and hide all that stuff but that kind of work requires a good bit of labor and attention to detail to get it right. Doing it may not be worth your time and effort.

I’d fill the pool when it’s ready and just enjoy it. Those spots will likely go unnoticed by anyone else other than you. If you can submerge that step in pool water, the stains might lighten on their own if they’re organic and under chlorinated water.

 

[BadBack]

I don't want to get too aggressive with it. No one notices it but me since some dirt/grime settles on the steps from usage anyway. I'll stop fighting with it and live with it since it's not something as easy as "oh just go buy xyz and let it sit 5 minutes.

Thank you!

 

[wendybozman]

Honestly to me, it looks like the beginning of black algae. I’d try a little shock and some algaecide on it. DO NOT PREMIX THE TWO

 

[JamesW]

Maybe iron or steel particles like from someone cutting or grinding metal around the pool area.

Maybe pitting in the acrylic layer and the fiberglass underneath has some metals like cobalt that are reacting.

 

[JamesW]

https://www.troublefreepool.com/google-search/?q=cobalt+stains+fiberglass

 

[Newdude]

Thats where I'm at too. Metal shavings / sparks entered the pool and collected at all the + areas of the pattern, then sat a while and stained it.

 

[wendybozman]

Maybe iron or steel particles like from someone cutting or grinding metal around the pool area.

Maybe pitting in the acrylic layer and the fiberglass underneath has some metals like cobalt that are reacting.

I was also thinking, if there are plants or potting soil near the steps, maybe vermiculite has gotten on the steps and stained them.

 

[JamesW]

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