Resin For Swimming Pools

UGlassIt sells only Fibre-Shelkote II vinyl ester resin manufactured specifically for the resurfacing and repair of swimming pools, hot tubs, and spa's, using the "hand lay-up" method. It is not for new manufacturing or for marine use. Fibre-Shelkote Vinyl Ester Resin II  sets-up much slower than any other vinyl ester resin, providing ample time to roll-on the resin and fiberglass.

Understanding Vinyl Ester Resin as it Applies to Resurfacing

All fiberglass swimming pools are manufactured with:

• Vinyl Ester Resin

• Fiberglass

• Swimming Pool Gel coat

• Catalyst (activator)

• Pigment (added to gel coat)

When fiberglass swimming pools and fiberglass panels for in-ground swimming pools where first manufactured in the United States, the above materials were used exclusively. Today, nearly 40 years later, the same exact materials are still used in the manufacturing process.

Best of all, those first fiberglass pools, excluding those destroyed by acts of nature, are still providing seasonal or year round enjoyment to those fortunate enough to own one.

Resin is an extremely important component in the composite material. The top-of-the-line fiberglass pools are molded using expensive vinyl ester resin exclusively. The low-end pools are a combination of vinyl ester resin and cheap polyester resin. But even on the cheapest fiberglass pools, the layer of resin closest to the inside of the pool is always vinyl ester.

The reason vinyl ester resin must be closest to the pool interior is because gel coat (gelcoat) will not laminate to cheap polyester resin. Without the final coating of gel coat, the pool wouldn't last five years. Without gel coat, the resin would begin rubbing off within three years, the inside layer of fiberglass would begin causing injury, and algae would take over the swimming pool very soon thereafter.

Fiberglass boats are a perfect example of the need for vinyl ester resin. The hull of every fiberglass boat is a vinyl ester resin composite. Above deck, manufacturers use polyester resin to save money. But underwater, vinyl ester resin must be used for both strength and gel coat lamination. Without gel coat, the saltwater (among other things) would quickly destroy the porous resin.

In other words, anything constantly immersed in water, be it salt water or chemically treated pool water, must have a thick coating of non-porous gel coat.

Swimming Pool Repair and Resurfacing

Exactly the same rules apply to resurfacing. Without gel coat, the application will fail rapidly. But, as we now know, gel coat will only laminate to expensive vinyl ester resin. This presents two problems for resurfacers. First, vinyl ester resin is more than twice as expensive as polyester resin and second, gel coat is even more expensive than vinyl ester resin.

With more than three million swimming pools in the U.S. alone, a huge market for resurfacing has emerged over the past twenty years. The original pioneers of the fiberglass resurfacing industry understood the need for vinyl ester resin and gelcoat to restore swimming pools. However, the material cost was high, as it still is, and fiberglass Pool Restoration was limited to the more affluent pool owners in small geographical areas.

Mass Marketing

There are different paths to mass marketing success. The quickest path is to make it appear the same, and make it cheaper (Japanese Marketing 101). This lesson wasn't lost on the next generation of pool builders and marketing professionals.

Based on my research, the leader of this second generation was called American Chem-Tech, located in Phoenix, AZ. They developed their own ultra cheap system that looked great when the application was finished and, of course, the pool owner handed over the final "check".

With high profits and lots of cash flow, they quickly established a national network of unsuspecting distributors. Most of these "distributors" were already in the pool industry and had no knowledge of what they had got themselves into. It would take several years before the problems would surface.

Of course, success breeds competition, so it didn't take long for others to jump on the gravy train. From California to Florida, new company's were formed, and the race to sell distributorships was underway. I doubt that anyone bothered to find out if it really worked (that would take time), but no one hesitated to hand out twenty five year warranties as a sales tool.

A Composite Destined for Failure

Where there's a will, there's a way. It probably required extensive research by the company in Phoenix (about twenty minutes) to determine that a substitute for expensive vinyl ester resin, and even more expensive gel coat was needed.

The solution: use two coats of cheap polyester resin to replace the two coats of vinyl ester resin, and instead of expensive gel coat for the finish coat, use pigment to tint even more polyester resin, and call that the "finish coat". It's perfect, three coats of polyester resin, a layer of thin (one ounce per square foot) fiberglass, and some pigment.

Looks great when it's finished, give them a 25 year warranty (material only), and pick-up the final payment. The pool owner is delighted, and the "distributor" moves on to the next job.

What About the 25 Year Warranty?

The pool owners who received these little gems soon found out the answer. I don't believe that elaboration is necessary. But everyone should note: there is no such thing as a 15 year warranty, let alone 20 years, or 25 years, on anything related to an older swimming pool, that is legitimate. I've always wondered why these warranties aren't for 50 years, or even 100 years, since no one has any intention of honoring them anyway. BEWARE of anyone offering any warranty longer than 10 years, on any pool application.

Resurfacing Comes Full Circle

With all that said, fiberglass resurfacing is the best solution for aging swimming pools. But we must never forget the lessons of the past.

1. Use only Fibre-Shelkote Vinyl Ester Resin II

2. Use 1 1/2 oz. (per square foot) fiberglass

3. Use gelcoat formulated for chlorinated water and salt water

4. Properly time the gelcoat to attain a chemical bond with the resin

5. Prepare the pool properly

6. Use the right tools for the job

Furthermore, the pail must have government approved chemical spill warnings with a telephone number in case of a vehicle accident. Do not permit company delivery men to unload chemicals on your property, unless the chemical manufacturers label is on the pail.

Knowledge is Power

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