Spa Re-Finishing Information

 There are advantages and disadvantages, cost considerations, suitability and life-expectancies to consider, when deciding which finish to choose for refinishing a spa or swim-spa.  Ultra Poly One Coat is a hybrid-epoxy coating, that can be applied, as a DIY project, to refinish acrylic, fiberglass or plastered spas and swim-spas.  The products is used in pools, spas, water parks and water features all across the country.  This is the product that lasts.  If problems arise, refer to the Spa Problems Page, as a source of problem-solving information, broken down into various categories.  Scroll down the page and click on the linked keywords, catch phrases or images, in the archived answers below, to access additional information, on that topic or product.

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► Refinishing Costs?

Two summers ago our marcite swim-spa began to stain and it appears pitted. The pits are yellowish in color. It became progressively worse. Last summer we had it drained and acid washed with no good results. The kids would come out of the water, with tiny slivers in their toes. The recommendation was to re-marcite the pool. We are currently investigating the process - price, material, color options, etc. Can you give us some recommendations, including what price range we can expect to be in. Thanks!

Scott D., 4/15/2018

It sounds like your water chemistry may have gone out of kilter adding to the finish problem. If that is the case, I hope that more attention will be paid to the topic, in the future. Pricing can vary depending upon size and condition and where the swim-spa is located. I am really not able to quote costs with any degree of certainty. A few thousand dollars minimum is a good starting point. Marcite will cost a bit less than the aggregate finishes. Fiberglass or epoxy might cost somewhat more. Paint, such as Ultra Poly One Coat Hybrid Epoxy, is probably one of the less expensive options and can yield long-lasting and attractive results. It is something that you can do yourself, for a fraction of the cost of plaster.  In addition, it produces a surfaces that is less reactive, with the water chemistry and yields a smooth finish.  I suggest that you decide what you would like the swim-spa to look like, as a stating point. The various finishes have different looks, as well as different maintenance requirements and costs. Do some price comparisons and the decision is yours to make.  A good water tester, such as the all-digital ColorQ Water Analyzers, can help you get your water chemistry, where it needs to be.  It easy and simple to use and eliminates all color-matching and guesswork.  Good luck.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 4/16/2018
 

► Refinishing Is Necessary?

My Gunite/plaster spa is 12 yrs old. The plaster has some stains from leaves, chemical reactions in the water (well). I have not had anyone come out to look at the spa. I've been told by a spa company employee, that it most likely needs re-plastering and re-tiling. If that is true, is there anther option?

Kevin H., 4/2/2018

Few spas make 12 years without being refinished. Stains alone are not grounds for refinishing. Refinishing is a must when the plaster wears thin over time and gets close to the underlying gunite.  You could retile the pool and use Ultra Poly One Coat to refinish the spa. It is a hybrid-epoxy coating, that is more stain resistant and has a 15 year warranty. No acid washing is required, preparation is easy and there are no primers or sealer required. Any it only requires one coat. Using well water will always present a risk of staining. Using a MetalTrap dual-cartridge filter to refill the pool will help remove the stain-causing minerals. Adding some liquid MetalTrap, as the spa is being refilled, will add some extra protection.  Using the MetalTrap filter, when adding any new water, will help keep the unwanted metals and minerals, from being added to the spa.  I hope that this information is helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 4/3/2018



► Painting Or Plastering?

We have a marcite spa that is just starting to show its age. We have had some staining over the years and had to acid wash a few times. I have been told that an epoxy-type of pool coating will last a long time and will be less prone to metal staining. Is this something to consider?

Mel H., Naples, FL 1/3/2011

Painting is a serious option and does afford the benefit of making the spa water chemistry easier to maintain and is less prone to metal staining. The look is different and the coated surface is smoother and less likely to harbor algae. Ultra Poly One Coat is a long lasting, durable epoxy hybrid that is available in several colors. It is something worth considering. I hope that information will prove helpful.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 1/4/2011

► Gray Discoloration?

We had our pool re-surfaced and with an exposed aggregate material and a couple of months later we began to see stains. They look gray, almost like gray clouds all over. Question, how can we take care of this pool finish problem? Would acid wash work? Thank you!

Steve S., Tampa, FL, 6/5/2018

It sounds like a heavy metal problem. I suggest that you have the pool water tested for iron, manganese, copper and calcium. Before you do anything, I suggest that you look into the warranty. You don't want to do anything that might void the warranty. It seems probable that the water contained iron and other metals. Dealers don't always run these tests and metals don't always show up. Pools that turn gray or darker after addition of chlorine or pH raising chemicals, usually have iron and other heavy metals present. This is especially true, whenever well water is used. I suggest adding Liquid METALTRAP: it is phosphate free and works over the full pool pH range and beyond. Adding this chemical can help avoid more staining and/or discoloration. If staining has occurred, it can be removed with METALTRAP Stain Remover. This concentrated product helps to reduce and solubilize heavy metals, so that Liquid METALTRAP can keep them in solution in a chelated state, which is less colored and more stable. Following up with a recirculating treatment, using the METALTRAP Filter can permanently eliminate the metals. All you need is a garden hose and a small pump to do the recirculation. Once you get the water looking right, make sure that you run all new water through the METALTRAP FILTER. I hope that I've been helpful and that the problem will get solved.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 6/5/2018


► Crack In The Finish?

My gunite inground spa shows a crack. The spa is finished with marcite and is 6-7 years old. There has been a lot a rain lately and I think there was some settling. How should this be fixed. Thanks.

Mike F., Boca Raton, FL 10/6/2014

If the crack is the result of erosion, it is quite possible that it will grow in size.  You might have to have a concrete or structural stabilization device, such as the Torque-Lock System installed, as this will help prevent the crack from expanding. These devices work like staples and pull the opposite sides towards one another, helping to stabilize the repair. They are countersunk into the surface and then covered with the same type of material that was used to finish the spa. You also have the option of painting the spa, with Ultra Poly One Coat, after the repair is completed.  Good luck and I hope that this information proves useful.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 10/6/2014


► Frustrated With The Chemistry?

Alan, Perhaps you can help us. We just had our gunite swim-spa re-plastered and we do not know how to get it up and running. It seems that no one agrees on how the chemicals are to be added and just how much and in what order. Very frustrating. The swim-spa holds 5,000 gallons. The alkalinity seems to be the greatest concern. The plaster is leaching calcium into the water and my husband cannot get an answer to solve the problem. The pH of course is off, too and we do not know how long, in hours, it takes for things to equalize. Please help!
  
Mickey F., 2/8/2015

If you had the swim-spa refinished with Ultra Poly One Coat, it would have left with a much more chemically inert surface.  Something that you might consider, the next time around.  It is common for the water chemistry, of a new or newly refinished plaster spa, to fluctuate and require the adjustment of several of the water parameters. The softer the fill water - the faster the calcium will leach from the walls.  This will cause a rise in the pH and total alkalinity. The way to slow the leaching effect is to raise the calcium hardness of the water. By adding calcium to the water, the walls will be less subject to leaching and etching. Have the water tested for calcium hardness, pH and total alkalinity. You want the calcium hardness to be in the 150-200 PPM range. If it is below this range, add sufficient calcium hardness increaser to raise it into this range. Once done, it should be easier to control the pH and TA. Raising the TA to 80-120 PPM, will also slow down the leaching. The pH will tend to remain closer to 7.6, than to 7.2. The higher pH will, also, help slow down the leaching. In summation: adjust the calcium hardness and allow a few hours for the chemicals to disperse. Adjust the TA and allow a few hours for the chemicals to disperse, before testing and adjusting the pH. A local spa professional should be able to help you with the water testing and the chemical dosages. You'll chemical additions help on this page:  Calculating Chemical Additions.  A ColorQ Digital Water Analyzer will provide and easier and more reliable way to test your pool water. I hope that this information will prove helpful.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 2/8/2015

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