For most fiberglass swimming pools, it means that the pool is at least eighteen years old and is in need of new gel coat. All things fiberglass have a finish coat of gel coat. Because swimming pools must contend with harsh chemicals, the swimming pool gel coat does not last forever. The longevity of the gel coat depends upon two factors: 1) the pool manufacturer, and 2) proper maintenance. There is a huge difference between manufacturers. Gel coat replacement ranges from 27 years at the top, to as low as 4 years, or less, at the bottom of the list. But the average for most fiberglass swimming pools is around 20 years. Nevertheless, chalking always means that the nonporous gel coat has become porous and needs to be replaced with new swimming pool gel coat as soon as possible.
All fiberglass has a final coating of gel coat, it could be marine gel coat, tooling gel coat, or swimming pool gel coat. Typically, swimming pool gel coat will last about 20 years before it loses effectivness. At that point, algae becomes able to "cling", the surface begins to stain, and the actual fiberglass becomes evident to swimmers, causing scratches. There is only one solution, lightly sand off the remaining gel coat, wash down the pool, apply one coat of vinyl ester resin, and roll-on 3 coats of swimming pool gel coat. The pool will be as good as new for another 20 years, provided the pool is properly cared for.
We were getting fiberglass in our skin, so we had the pool resurfaced. They blasted away the old fiberglass an put a new coat in. It is supposed to last 12-15 years. Get the pool resurfaced. Find a company that REALLY KNOWS the business of resurfacing fiberglass.
Age doesn't really matter, as long as the pool is gunite or concrete. But never acid wash a fiberglass pool, or a fiberglass lining in a gunite or concrete pool. I suppose I should explain why, because so few pool pro's understand fiberglass, you will probably receive considerable conflicting information. The finish coat on all fiberglass pools manufactured in a factory is swimming pool gel coat. Unfortunately, this is not true of all fiberglass linings in gunite and concrete pools, although it should be. Gel coat is non-porous which is why it's such a fantastic finish, at least for the first 18-20 years, after which it becomes porous and must be removed and replaced. Using muriatic acid on non-porous gel coat will cause it to become porous, at which time it becomes worthless, and must be removed then replaced with new gel coat. Once it's replaced, you're good for another 18-20 years, unless muriatic acid is again used. -Bill
Sounds like the jell coat on the pool needs redoing.
Coat your piece with polyester resin - liquid fiberglass, the same way you coat your diploma, photos etc.
It can be any color you may desire. The final coating on a fiberglass laminate is called "gel coat", and it is available in 40 different colors. Several unusual colors have been chosen by our customers over the past 11 years, such as pink, black, and bubble gum. But more than 95% of the finish coats, on vinyl liner to fiberglass conversions, are white or light blue.
You're half way there already. Add a 4" cement/fiber-mesh bottom. Let it cure per instructions, then fiberglass it using vinyl ester resin and one ounce Owens Corning chopped strand mat. Sand the fiberglass walls, then apply two new coats of swimming pool gel coat to the entire pool. Every 15 years thereafter, sand and replace the gel coat on the entire pool.
place a coat of resin onto metal. then sheet of fiberglass, then resin, then fiberglass, and so on...until you achieve your desired thickness....PS: You will want to roll out the air bubbles every 2 to 3 layers for best results
Vinyl liner pool steps are constructed of fiberglass, vinyl ester resin, and swimming pool gel coat. Staining (and blisters) occur around the pools 20th anniversary. It's caused by a breakdown of the white finish called swimming pool gel coat. Stains and blisters can only be removed by replacing the now porous gel coat with new nonporous swimming pool gel coat. Done properly, the new gel coat will last another 20 years.
Yes, Bunnings typically carries a range of gel coat products for fiberglass repair and maintenance. You can check with your local Bunnings store or their website to see their current selection and availability.
Coat, cap, corset