Step Repair, In-Ground Pool, fiberglass with some type of plastic coating

I have my 16 x 32 pool (vinyl liner) empty preparing for installing a new liner. The steps had some bubbles where water had intruded under the coating and started to soak the fiberglass below. I can do fiberglass repair, and originally thought the exterior coating was gelcoat for fiberglass.

I have removed the bubble areas, and started to grind away the rough edges. I have now determined that the exterior coating is not gelcoat, but some other coating that has a plastic appearance when subjected to grinding with a coarse grinding disc.

The fiberglass is still structurally sound, but i need to reinforce the damaged area and recoat. Will gelcoat stick to this vinyl? Is there a better coating for repair of this surface?

Thanks in advance

Fred (Fcooper)

I can move your post into the correct area, and you can hope for a resolution, but that's about all. Forum traffic has begun to pick up, so you might get a useful response.

Otherwise, your best bet is to try to ID the manufacturer of those steps -- local builders might be able to help -- and contact them about step material and possible repairs.

. . . membership updated.


[June 2014 Update: Step by step fiberglass pool repair here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/17933]

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