Years of Florida sun, hard water, and stubborn algae can leave pool plaster permanently stained — even after the water is balanced and clear. An acid wash strips away the thin top layer of plaster along with the staining, organic buildup, and mineral deposits, leaving the surface bright and uniform again.
Sunny Clean Pool performs full drain-and-acid-wash service throughout the Orlando area. It's the right call when a pool has been neglected for months, drained and left empty in the sun, or has deep staining that no chemical treatment can lift.
Acid washing is aggressive — it removes plaster — so it's done sparingly over a pool's life. We'll tell you honestly whether your pool truly needs one or whether a less invasive option (stain treatment, enzyme clean, chlorine wash) will get you most of the way there.
What's Included
Controlled drain
We drain safely with hydrostatic pressure in mind — Florida's high water table can pop an empty shell, so we monitor closely.
Full surface acid treatment
A measured muriatic acid and water solution applied to walls and floor, brushed evenly to lift staining without over-etching.
Neutralization & rinse
All acid is neutralized with soda ash and pumped to an approved location — never to your lawn or storm drain.
Tile and waterline detail
Calcium and scale at the waterline scrubbed or bead-blasted as part of the same visit.
Refill & full startup
We refill the pool and perform a complete new-plaster-style startup so the fresh surface cures properly.
Post-wash chemistry plan
Detailed balancing schedule for the first 30 days to protect the freshly exposed plaster.
How It Works
- 1
Phone & photo assessment
Text us photos of the staining and plaster condition. We'll tell you honestly whether an acid wash is the right call and provide a flat-rate estimate.
- 2
Schedule the drain & wash
Most acid washes are completed in a single day. We coordinate weather and water-table conditions before draining.
- 3
Refill, startup & follow-up
We refill, balance, and check back over the next 2-4 weeks to make sure the new surface cures cleanly.
Why It Matters
Plaster is the most expensive part of your pool to replace. A re-plaster job runs many thousands of dollars and takes a pool out of service for weeks. A properly performed acid wash can buy years of additional life from a tired surface for a small fraction of that cost.
Done wrong, though, an acid wash can damage plaster, kill landscaping, and create environmental issues. Hire a licensed pool pro who handles neutralization and disposal correctly — not a handyman with a jug of muriatic acid.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pool needs an acid wash?+
If staining, discoloration, or algae shadows remain after the water is balanced and clear, an acid wash is usually the answer. Send us photos and we'll give you a straight recommendation.
How long does it take?+
Most acid washes are completed in a single day, with refill and startup over the following 24-48 hours.
Is it safe to drain my pool in Florida?+
Only when done carefully. Florida's high water table can lift an empty shell out of the ground. We monitor hydrostatic pressure and never leave a pool empty longer than necessary.
How often can a pool be acid washed?+
Acid washing removes a thin layer of plaster, so it's done sparingly — typically no more than a few times over a plaster surface's life. We'll tell you if you're better off with a re-plaster instead.