The information below is based on industry guidelines from the National Plasters Council. The homeowner should consult with their pool builder or pool plastering applicator for specific guidelines and instructions.
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Finest Finish Blends Recommended Start-up Procedures

DO NOT START AN INITIAL FILL WITHOUT POWER TO THE FILTRATION EQUIPMENT.
A STANDING POOL CAN START VISIBLE SCALING WITHIN 24 HOURS!

Start-up Procedure

Step (1) Make sure there is power to the filtration equipment.
Step (2) Remove all floor return heads to prevent streaking.
Step (3) Fill the pool without interruption.
Step (4) Lower the alkalinity to below 100 ppm for Finest Finish White and 60-70 for Finest Finish Grey.
Step (5) Add enough Muriatic Acid to lower the pH were it will not exceed 7.4 before the next service call.
1 gallon of 20o Baumè muriatic acid will lower the
alkalinity approximately 50 ppm in a 15,000 gallon pool
Step (6) Add 1 quart of a quality, testable sequestering agent per 10,000 gallons. Double if metals exceed 2 ppm.
Step (7) Operate filtration for 72 hours. By-pass heaters to protect metallic components during this process.
Step (8) Do not add chlorine or pH increaser for 48 hours, as they may bounce the pH, and/or alkalinity. This can cause metal
precipitation, and possibly stain or discolor the surface.
Step (9) At 48 hours, test sequestering, and if necessary, add additional amounts to achieve 12 to 15 ppm according to dosage chart.
Step (10) Adjust other water balance parameters to the Saturation Index. Be careful not to over adjust saturation index parameters before the initial 28-day cure.
Step (11) Finest Finish Grey will usually need additional muriatic acid to drive the pH down over the first 7 to 10 day period. Sequestering agent levels should be checked and maintained at 15 to 20 ppm. This should keep hydroxide formations soft and brushable. Brush with a combination stainless steel and nylon brush every day during this period, concentrating on paste areas. Do not adjust calcium levels for the first 28 days. This includes calcium hardness. The calcium will increase on its own. If calcium is raised too far in advance, calcium can exceed manufacturers’ recommended maintenance levels. Finest Finish Grey should be maintained at the low end of the saturation index to prevent white or gray streaking.

Failure to follow the manufacturers’ instructions may cause an uneven surface exposure, which is not the fault of the plaster manufacturer or the plasterer.

Note: A water driven feed pump is available that pumps the acid and sequestering agent simultaneously in 0.04 ounces per 10 gallons of fill water over a 24 hour period. This is recommended for well water applications or where metallic ions are present in municipal make up water. Cementitious pool finishes are not initially cured for 28 days. Great care must be taken when adding acid or low pH sanitizers.

Note: Every pool has its individual characteristics. Depending on the location of the return line (wall or floor), a definite circulation pattern is set up by the flow of the water. Counter-clockwise is the natural rotation north of the equator. This will help improve the circulation. If the pool pump is running, and acid is added to the deep, and chlorine is added to the shallow end, at some point, minutes later, they may meet and cause a shocking action known as fallout. This can result in metallic precipitation on the pool surface. This repeated technique, week after week, will eventually create a visible discoloration, stain or scale condition. Dilution of chemicals prior to addition will help prevent this. DILUTION IS THE SOLUTION!

Initial 28 Day Cure

The surface of a cementitious pool is hardening and filling microscopic voids with calcium hydroxides and calcium carbonates. 60% of the cure takes place during the first 28 days. The remaining 40% takes the next nine to ten months. For approximately 365 days and especially the first 28 days the surface is very susceptible to poor water chemistry. Minimum use of low pH sanitizers should be adhered to and in the case of trichlor tablets, never more than one tablet per ten thousand gallons should be dispensed at a time. Increase the use of liquid or diluted dry chlorine if a larger demand is required. This is determined by the use of a quality DPD test kit that is capable of testing Cl, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid (optional). Failure to properly monitor and maintain water balances over the next 8 to 10 months may result in hydration streaking and discoloration.

Impingement (Water velocity erosion)

Excessive water velocities exceeding 5 feet per second (fps) will cause impingement of metallics such as copper and copper alloys components and piping. See flow rate chart in Quick Reference Section. Use a check or by-pass valve when required.

Low pH Chlorinators

Low pH chlorinators for dispensing trichlor (pH 2.8), or Bromine (BCDMH pH 4.6) should utilize a Hartford loop to prevent migration before and after the feeder when the filtration system is off. Trichlor floaters should be tethered in the deep end of the pool.

Electrolytic Conversion Units (Salt Water Generators)

Specialty sanitizers such as electrolytic chlorinators should not be introduced into the pool water until the pH and alkalinity have stabilized, usually at the end of the 15 - 30 day initial cure. They drive the pH up and compound the problem of scaling and can add to the cause of hydration problems.

Catalytic Converters

These types of sanitizer/algaecidal units introduce minerals in trace amounts to the pool water. They can have copper, silver, zinc, etc.

Pool Maintenance

Pool water should be maintained in accordance with the saturation index. Excessively low or excessively high parameters will cause problems.

ORP and pH Controllers

The use of automatic ORP and pH controllers is ideal for start-up situations. Properly maintained controllers can help control the curing process and most of the unsightly phenomenon’s associated with the uneven curing of cementitious finishes.