Acid Wash vs. Replaster: Which Do You Need?

Standard white plaster can typically handle 3-4 acid washes over its lifetime. Each wash removes approximately 1/16" of material. After 3+ washes, the plaster becomes too thin and risks exposing the gunite underneath.

The replaster process takes 5-7 days total: 1-2 days to drain and prep, 1 day to apply new plaster, and 3-4 days for curing before you can fill and swim. Most companies handle the entire process.

If the plaster is over 15 years old and already rough, acid washing gives diminishing returns. The staining will return faster (within 1-2 years), and you risk making the surface rougher. At that point, replastering is the better long-term investment.

Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Acid attacks the cement binder and can loosen aggregate particles. For pebble and quartz surfaces, use a mild acid rinse (10:1 dilution) or specialized surface cleaners instead of a traditional acid wash.

Common causes: metals in fill water (iron = brown, copper = blue/green), calcium scale from high pH/calcium, algae staining that penetrates porous plaster, and mineral deposits from poor water chemistry over time.