In April 2024, Fibreglaze restored the marblesheen pool in Tingalpa, Queensland. The existing pool presented with loose or hollow masonry areas, together with a faded or worn surface and a stained, rough or dated finish, requiring careful assessment and preparation before resurfacing.
The worn surface was prepared for the new lining, and loose or hollow material was removed to a sound edge before the affected areas were rebuilt. Resin-based screeding and filler corrected surface irregularities before a new structural fibreglass laminate and the Fibreglaze Enduratec finishing system were installed. The pool was completed in Sapphire Blue Speckle as a smooth, seamless surface.
These photographs follow the work from the pool’s original condition through preparation and repair to the completed finish.
These were the main pool conditions recorded for this project. Select an issue to learn more about its common signs, possible causes and repair considerations.
Additional views of the preparation, repair work and completed finish.
Excellent service and communications the pool looks great.The guys were hard working and very polite keeping me informed along the way.I highly recommend Fibreglaze for pool Reno’s
Answers to common questions about the pool conditions and restoration work shown in this project.
These are common signs that the existing gelcoat is oxidising or wearing away. If the surface is faded, difficult to clean, rough underfoot or no longer holding its colour, resurfacing will restore a smooth, fresh-looking finish.
A pool surface described as hollow or drummy makes a noticeably different sound when lightly tapped because the render, plaster, Pebblecrete, Marblesheen or earlier levelling layer may no longer be fully bonded to the concrete shell. The surface can still look intact, so tapping is only a screening check; it does not show the full boundary or cause. The empty pool should be systematically surveyed, with loose areas opened back to sound material so moisture, cracks, contamination and movement in the substrate can be assessed before resurfacing.
Pool stain colour alone does not confirm the cause. Brown or rust-coloured marks may involve iron or organic debris; green, grey or black marks can involve algae, copper, manganese or material trapped in a rough surface. Location, texture, recent water changes and the way a small test area responds are more useful than colour by itself. The source also needs attention, such as metals in fill water, corroding equipment, poor circulation or debris, otherwise the stain can return after cleaning.
Oxidised gelcoat commonly looks faded, patchy or chalky and may leave a powdery residue when rubbed. Calcium scale is a mineral deposit added to the surface, so it is more likely to feel raised, crusted or sandpaper-like, particularly around the waterline and high-evaporation areas. Staining and scale can also sit over a worn finish, making visual diagnosis difficult. Check the water balance and have the surface assessed before using aggressive chemicals, because a treatment suited to scale can further damage ageing gelcoat.
Many stains can be treated without resurfacing when the underlying finish is sound and the stain type is correctly identified. Organic, metal and mineral deposits require different treatment approaches, so the safest starting point is water testing and a controlled test on a small area. Resurfacing becomes more relevant when stains are deeply embedded, repeatedly return through a porous surface, or occur with widespread roughness, pitting, peeling or earlier failed repairs. Correcting the stain source remains important after either treatment.
A local repair may be suitable where the hollow area is clearly contained and the surrounding finish remains sound and firmly bonded. If drummy areas are widespread, recurring, soft or connected by cracking, progressive removal may show that a broader section—or the existing finish—needs to be taken back to the concrete shell. The decision is made after the pool is emptied and the surface is tap-tested. Unstable material must not be left beneath a new lining. Where older Marblesheen could contain asbestos, testing and compliant removal planning are required before it is disturbed. The exposed base is then repaired and levelled before resurfacing.
Send us a few photos and our team can help identify the likely issue and the most suitable next step.
