After acid etching, your pool can be revived with a smooth surface, or the surface can be prepared for new plaster. This process will help remove old finishes, stains, or buildup on your pool’s surface, preparing it for a fresh coat. A robot pool cleaner is an excellent option before and after the acid etching process if you need to keep your pool in shape and make it easy to maintain. Let us discuss how to acid etch your pool while keeping it clean with a vacuum and skimmer-type tools.
What Is Acid Etching?
Muriatic acid is used in a process called acid etching to prep and clean the pool’s surface (usually just before resurfacing). This technique is commonly used to remove mineral deposits, stains, or old plaster from concrete pools. The acid etches the surface slightly, making it more receptive to new plaster or other coatings. It is beneficial when you want to upgrade your pool’s aesthetic look or are getting it ready for a new finish.
It sounds complex, but this task is manageable with the right tools and precautions. Remember that robot pool cleaner (like our favorite, the Beatbot AquaSense or Beatbot iSkim Ultra) are great at helping with the maintenance phase when it comes to keeping your pool clean after the acid.
How to Acid Etch Your Swimming Pool
Step 1: Prep the Pool
Ensure your pool is clean before adding the acid. This is where robotic pool cleaners (or vacuum cleaners for pools) emerge. Clean the pool using your robot pool or pool vacuum robot to suck up leaves, debris, and dirt from the surface of the pool. You wouldn’t want anything in the way of putting the acid down.
The next step is to drain your pool entirely because acid should never be applied to a pool with water in it. If you have doubts about draining your pool, hire a professional to ensure a safe process.
Step 2: The right thematics to create
You’ll require muriatic acid, a big bucket of water (to dilute the acid), rubber gloves, safety goggles, a pool brush, and a long-handled broom. This acid must be diluted, so 1 part of the acid and ten parts of the water must be taken for the solution. Do not add water to acid; always add acid to water to prevent dangerous splashing.
Step 3: Apply the Acid
With a brush or broom, spread the diluted acid solution over the pool’s surface, starting at the shallow end and moving to the deep end. Always wear chemical-resistant gloves and goggles while working with muriatic acid.
Step 4: Scrub and Wait
Scrub down the pool with the broom after applying the acid to ensure it reaches all areas that need to be etched. Leave the acid for 15 to 20 minutes. You must watch the pool’s surface carefully so that you do not over-etch it, as this can harm the surface.
Step 5: Neutralize the Acid
Once the acid has performed its function, it is time to neutralize it. You then pour baking soda and water over the acid-hit regions. This will halt the etching process and pre-condition your pool for rinsing.
Step 6: Rinse and Clean
Later, rinse the pool after the acid has been neutralized. Your robot pool cleaner, like the Beatbot AquaSense Pro, can be used to rinse and suck up any remaining debris or other residue. This causes your pool to be clean and ready for any touch-up actions.
Acid Etching: What Comes Next? Pool Maintenance
After performing acid etching on your swimming pool, it’s important to maintain cleanliness to prevent further buildup and stains. Regular maintenance with a pool cleaning robot, like the Beatbot AquaSense or the Beatbot iSkim Ultra, can keep the pool clean without constant manual labor.
In addition, you need a skimmer to collect debris from the surface and a vacuum cleaner to clean the pool floor. Robot pool cleaners can manage most of this work, giving you more time to relax and kick back into your newly rejuvenated pool.
ConclusionIf your swimming pool needs to be refreshed and prepared, performing an acid etching on your pool is a way to go. When used for assistance with modern automated robot pool cleaners that make such tasks much easier and more efficient, such as the innovative Beatbot AquaSense Pro or the Beatbot iSkim Ultra, all of this can be much less taxing. After the acid etching process has been completed, you will still have to maintain your pool by adequately cleaning it and using the pool vacuum robot, skimmer, vacuum cleaner for pools, etc. This way, your pool will be clean, sparkling, and prepared for entertainment during the entire season!