ecoFinish Q&A: Do you recommend aquaBrite ecoFinish for a plaster refinish?

Q: Pool Guy, I found you on Google when I did a search for AquaBright. I’m not in your area, but hope you can help. Would you recommend it for a plaster refinish? I am intrigued by the surface and the easier balancing and not having to deal with the hassle of a start-up after a new plaster.

I haven’t seen too many negative reviews other than a former installer that said the product caused plaster spalling and they didn’t stand behind the product.

Before shelling out that kind of cash, I want it to be right.

Your website is awesome by the way!

-BC

A:

Thanks for visiting our website – and for your compliment. We try to have great information out there to support our industry…

Regarding ecoFinish – yes, we are supporters of the product. It is a great option for refinishing a pool – underneath it is still the gunite base, and it has to be applied over a marcite or pebble finish – and it just adds that last layer that finishes smoother, is better with water chemistry, which is still important but won’t affect the surface as much as a gunite pool will etch and pit over time. The product itself is expensive (raw materials) as well as the method of applying it, hence the higher cost – but it really is an amazing new option. We use it in all of our new construction projects where we have gunite sun ledges, grottos, and even on our slides and steps. It’s also the only finish we suggest now that we have it available to us for new gunite pool builds.

As with anything new, there is a learning curve both for installers and for pool owners. We have met the owners of the parent company (in Pennsylvania) and are very happy that we have found it.