Fiberglass Vs. Plaster Pool Refinishing

Fiberglass Refinishing

• Most fiberglass pool refinishing jobs are done using a four step process that starts out by sandblasting or sanding off the existing gelcoat or outside color. Once removed, the shell is then washed with a solvent and a new gelcoating is applied. A second gelcoat is usually applied over the first.

Plaster Refinishing

• Cement pools featuring plaster topcoats are refinished using one of two methods. If a plaster pool's finish is so bad that it can't be saved it's completely removed using pneumatic handheld chipping tools. If a plaster pool's old plaster finish is still in decent shape a new plaster bond coat is applied over it. Completely removing old plaster is extremely labor intensive, so refinishing via bond coating is preferred.

Refinishing Costs

• At the time of publication, expect to pay between $2,500 and $4,000 to have your plaster pool refinished. Pool plaster refinishing jobs are normally quoted by the pool's total surface area. The UGlassIt website says that most fiberglass swimming pools can be refinished for about $3,300, at the time of publication. Repairs to cracked or damaged fiberglass pool shells will increase costs commensurately.

Considerations

• An online survey of several fiberglass in-ground pool companies reveals that such shells usually go 20 to 25 years before needing any refinishing. Some fiberglass in-ground pool builders believe that fiberglass pool shells never need refinishing. Plaster pool refinishing is typically needed every 15 to 20 years. Both fiberglass and plaster pool refinishing can be done as do-it-yourself projects. In-ground swimming pools aren't supposed to be completely drained for long, which is why they're often refinished very quickly.