I started applying ecoFINISH in 2019 after first seeing the system in 2017 and spending about two years researching it. One of the most useful things about the system in renovation work is that a sound existing cementitious surface does not always have to be completely removed—but “sound” is the important word.
Yes, ecoFINISH aquaBRIGHT can be installed as part of the renovation of an existing plaster pool, but it should not simply be applied over failing plaster. Hollow, loose, crumbling or delaminated material has to be identified and repaired or removed, and the remaining substrate has to be properly prepared for the coating system.
ecoFINISH’s installation manual states that the coating will not fix bad plaster or substrate and says not to install over cementitious finishes that are crumbling or have considerable hollow or delaminating areas. The manufacturer requires surface evaluation and preparation before the coating system proceeds.
Does all of the old plaster have to come out?
For an ecoFINISH renovation, I do not automatically remove every inch of existing plaster. We identify hollow or delaminated areas, remove what is unsound, patch and smooth those areas, and prepare the sound remaining surface for the coating system.
That is different from the approach I generally prefer when a customer is receiving another new cement-based finish. In that situation, I prefer removal of the old plaster rather than continuing to stack cementitious finish layers on top of one another.
Why does substrate condition matter so much?
A coating can only perform as well as the material it is attached to. If old plaster separates from the shell underneath, a new coating attached to that plaster can move with the failing layer. Covering a problem does not make the underlying material sound.
The ecoFINISH manual specifically calls for finding hollow or unstable areas before installation and repairing them. It also emphasizes cleaning, etching, pressure washing and preparation of the cementitious surface so the primer system can adhere properly.
What does Aqua Pool Finishes actually do before coating?
The exact preparation depends on what we find after the pool is drained and inspected. The goal is a clean, stable, properly prepared substrate. Unsound areas are addressed rather than hidden.
I am intentionally not turning this article into a do-it-yourself application manual. ecoFINISH is a specialized thermally applied coating system, and current manufacturer installation specifications should govern the job.
What if the pool has multiple old plaster layers?
Repeated resurfacing can leave multiple cementitious layers and can change the relationship between the finish and fittings, drains, tile or other details. That history is one of the things I want to understand before recommending another cement-based finish or an ecoFINISH system.
The number of previous resurfacing jobs does not by itself tell us whether the remaining substrate is acceptable. We still have to evaluate what is sound and what is not.
What if this is the first time my pool has ever been resurfaced?
That can be one of the best times to consider ecoFINISH. If the original plaster has become discolored, stained or rough but the remaining substrate is sound enough for the system, Aqua Pool Finishes can repair the problem areas, prepare the existing plaster and apply ecoFINISH over the properly prepared surface.
You do not have to wait until a pool has been replastered two or three times before ecoFINISH makes sense. If the original plaster is ready to be refinished, this is where I would already be looking at ecoFINISH. You may avoid creating another cementitious layer that will itself age and eventually need to be dealt with later.
Can avoiding whole-pool hydro-prep make ecoFINISH less expensive overall?
Yes, on the right project. A cementitious finish may have a lower finish price, but total resurfacing cost includes removal and preparation. If Matt would otherwise recommend whole-pool hydro-prep before installing another cementitious finish, while the ecoFINISH project can retain the sound plaster after localized repairs and proper preparation, the avoided removal work can potentially save thousands of dollars.
That means ecoFINISH can sometimes be both the premium surface and the more economical total renovation once preparation is included. It is project-specific, not a blanket promise.
How quickly can the pool be refilled after ecoFINISH?
ecoFINISH describes aquaBRIGHT as instantly cured upon application and says the pool can be filled without the extended curing/startup process associated with a new cementitious finish. The exact job schedule still depends on the repairs, preparation and complete renovation scope.
Can ecoFINISH hide structural cracks?
No coating should be used to pretend a structural problem does not exist. ecoFINISH is a pool finish/coating system, not a structural repair. A crack that reflects shell movement or another structural condition needs appropriate repair before the finish system is expected to perform over it.
Is ecoFINISH a waterproofing system?
I would not describe it that way. The pool and substrate need to be watertight as a system before the finish is treated as the solution. The nonporous coating is a protective finish over the prepared substrate; it is not a substitute for repairing a leaking structure, plumbing penetration or failed interface.
Yes, an old plaster pool can be a candidate for ecoFINISH. The decision is not “coat over everything” versus “remove everything.” The real question is what material is still sound, what has to be removed or repaired, and whether the prepared substrate meets the requirements of the coating system.
If you have already been told full old-finish removal is required before another cementitious finish, see Matt’s alternative-to-replastering guide, including APF’s 100-perimeter-foot Hydro-Prep example and annualized cost comparison.
Related Ask Matt guides
Sources & how this article was built
Manufacturer requirements are based on the ecoFINISH Installation Manual and ecoFINISH’s published guidance on renovating an old plaster pool. Matt’s renovation preferences and observations are separately labeled as field experience.
Wondering what is under your existing finish?
Aqua Pool Finishes installs plaster, quartz, pebble, polished aggregate, glass and ecoFINISH, so the recommendation can be based on the condition of your pool and your priorities.
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