Perplexing stain problem, but I think I'll get there with some help

Today I did the stain ID kit. None of the tests showed the result it discribed. I looked back at the iron and cobalt test later and saw maybe a little improvement. The test was to pour muritic acid wait 2-3 min and then pour the iron and cobalt powder over it. The second time I did it I used a little more muritic acid. The stain got a brighter orange after sprinkling the powder in. I let it sit for about 15 min then I brushed it with a stiff hand brush. The step looks pretty good now. But when I go to use the iron and cobalt stain treatment. How am I going to scrub the whole pool. How will I ever get the sides clean as it seems like the solution has to be very concentrated. What part did the muritic acid play with the test?

What are the chemical levels of your pool? If you post your numbers, maybe I can answer some of the questions. One of the only things I can think of is Acid takes metal stain out - that is why it is important to have your ph low when doing a stain treatment. If you had a lot of chlorine, and high alkalinity, then the amount of stain treatment you were putting on may not had a chance to work before it got eatten up. This is just a thought, but with all of us thinking we should come up with some help!