MissFluffy
New member
Looking for perspectives on acid washing pebble plaster, namely PebbleTec. Most of what I read says it is contraindicated except in extreme circumstances when the plaster is severely stained, on its last leg.
Acid washing pebble plaster
- Thread starter MissFluffy
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Giulia Durand
New member
For me, acid washing PebbleTec is really a last-resort option. If the plaster is super worn out, sometimes it’s the only way, but you’ve gotta be ready for the risk of thinning the surface even more.
MissFluffy
New member
Hi and thanks. Yes, that is what I keep hearing. My PebbleTec got destroyed by acid wash that was entirely unnecessary. It was only 10 years old and in beautiful condition. Pool guy suggested it as a means to "freshen up" the plaster. What did I know. My pool is ruined. It's heartbreaking. It looks like it has a disease. There's a clear pattern of damage in all the flat areas along with a trail leading to and around the drains. PebbleTec advises against acid washing but there's nothing on their website about it.
Amira Chan
New member
Acid washing can be an option if the surface is really bad, but it does come with the risk of thinning it out. Hopefully, you can find a safer solution.
MissFluffy
New member
Hi and thanks for the input. It's too late for another solution. My plaster is destroyed. It was in excellent condition. No stains, no calcium deposits...nothing. Just my pool guy suggesting it as a means to "freshen up" the plaster. I had no idea what he was doing. In fact, I had no idea what acid washing was at the time. I trusted him. He goofed big time. I know he meant well...he probably saw it as a win-win...but it didn't work out that way. Of course, the damage is devastating.
MissFluffy
New member
That sounds exactly like Amira's response...word for word.
Matthew Collins
Member
That’s really rough to hear. Pebble finishes like PebbleTec are designed so the cement paste slowly wears away over time and exposes the aggregate evenly. An acid wash basically speeds that process up all at once, which is why manufacturers usually say it’s only for severe scale or staining situations.
When acid is applied too aggressively or left sitting too long, it dissolves the cement around the pebbles unevenly. That’s why you often see patterns on flat areas or trails near drains and low spots, the acid tends to pool there and keeps reacting longer. The surface ends up looking blotchy or “etched” because the matrix holding the pebbles gets eaten away in patches.
If the aggregate itself is still well bonded, some people have had partial improvement with a light polish or bead blasting instead of another acid treatment. That process is more mechanical than chemical and can sometimes even out the look a bit without removing as much material. It won’t fully reverse etching, but it can reduce the contrast in damaged areas.
Out of curiosity, are the pebbles themselves still firmly set when you run your hand over the surface, or does it feel rough and loose in spots? That usually tells you how deep the acid damage went.
When acid is applied too aggressively or left sitting too long, it dissolves the cement around the pebbles unevenly. That’s why you often see patterns on flat areas or trails near drains and low spots, the acid tends to pool there and keeps reacting longer. The surface ends up looking blotchy or “etched” because the matrix holding the pebbles gets eaten away in patches.
If the aggregate itself is still well bonded, some people have had partial improvement with a light polish or bead blasting instead of another acid treatment. That process is more mechanical than chemical and can sometimes even out the look a bit without removing as much material. It won’t fully reverse etching, but it can reduce the contrast in damaged areas.
Out of curiosity, are the pebbles themselves still firmly set when you run your hand over the surface, or does it feel rough and loose in spots? That usually tells you how deep the acid damage went.