In April 2026, Fibreglaze restored the 8.5 x 4 m vinyl-lined pool in Manly West, Queensland. The pool presented with a deteriorated vinyl liner, deteriorated tiled areas, and a stained, rough or dated interior, requiring careful assessment and preparation before resurfacing.
The existing vinyl liner was removed and disposed of, the deteriorated tiled areas were prepared, and surface irregularities were corrected with resin-based screeding and filler. A new structural fibreglass laminate was installed, and the pool was completed in Dove Grey Speckle using the Fibreglaze Enduratec finishing system.
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.
Absolute experts at converting a liner pool with a concrete shell (no idea why people used to choose liners, they’re a complete pain to maintain) to a fibreglass version that looks like a new pool. The team were efficient and delivered work to a high standard. The cost was only marginally more than replacing the liner, and fibreglass was able to cover all the way to the paver line making it a much more water tight and future proof option.
Answers to common questions about the pool conditions and restoration work shown in this project.
Conversion removes the old liner, so liner tears, open seams and wrinkles are no longer part of the finished surface. It does not automatically repair every water-loss source. Leaks can also occur in plumbing, fittings, penetrations or the underlying structure. Once the liner is removed, the exposed pool can be inspected for corrosion, cracks, movement and damaged transitions before the continuous fibreglass lining is installed.
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.
Tiles and grout can deteriorate because of inadequate original bonding, poor preparation, water entering behind the finish, unsuitable grout, aggressive water chemistry, shell movement or missing movement allowance. A tile face may look sound even when the adhesive behind it has failed. Repeated grout loss, cracks and hollow-sounding areas suggest that more than the visible joint may be affected. The cause should be identified before tiles are reset so the same movement or moisture problem does not continue beneath the repair.
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.
It depends on the pool condition and the owner’s priorities. A replacement liner may suit a sound pool where the flexible lining system is to be retained. Conversion is more involved, but replaces the liner, seams and wrinkle-prone surface with a continuous bonded interior. The underlying structure still needs inspection and repair, so conversion should not be used to conceal corrosion, movement or substrate damage. Compare the complete scopes, maintenance and future replacement cycle rather than upfront price alone.
A local repair may be suitable when only a few tiles are loose and the surrounding tiles, grout, substrate and waterproofing remain sound. The failed tiles and old adhesive need to be removed back to a stable base before pool-suitable materials are used. If nearby tiles sound hollow, grout loss is widespread or cracks continue through the area, replacing isolated tiles is likely to be temporary. A broader inspection should establish the boundary of the bond failure before the repair scope is chosen.
Send us a few photos and our team can help identify the likely issue and the most suitable next step.
