Pool Replastering
Removing an old, worn plaster surface and applying a fresh plaster finish that protects the shell underneath and restores the look of the water.
Pool Services · San Diego County
Pool Plastering, Resurfacing & Repair Services in San Diego
Baja Pool Plaster brings old swimming pools and spas back to life across San Diego County. We work on existing pools only — we don’t build new ones. Owner Ruben Castillo has specialized in pool surfaces since 1984 and has replastered hundreds of pools — so he can tell you honestly whether your pool needs a new finish, a targeted repair, or just an acid wash.
- Since 1984
- CSLB License #452824
- Free estimates & advice
Residential & commercial
Pools and spas across San Diego County
Which pool service do you need?
It depends on which part of the pool is failing. A worn finish on a sound shell needs replastering or resurfacing; damage in one area can often be repaired; structural cracks and unexplained water loss are fixed before any new finish goes on; and if you want to change more than the surface, a remodel is the better fit.
| What you are seeing | Where to start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rough, chalky or stained plaster across the whole pool | Pool replastering | The finish layer itself is worn out; a new plaster coat restores it and protects the shell. |
| You want a longer-lasting or different finish — quartz or pebble | Pool resurfacing | Resurfacing covers every finish type, not only plaster. |
| Etching, delamination, staining or rough spots in one area | Pool surface repair | Localized damage can often be corrected without replacing the whole surface. |
| Cracks in the concrete or gunite shell | Concrete pool crack repair | Shell cracks are repaired before any new interior finish is applied. |
| Water loss that evaporation does not explain | Pool leak detection & repair | Resurfacing over an active leak only hides it; the leak is found and fixed first. |
| New tile, coping, decking or layout — not just a new surface | Pool remodeling & renovation | A broader project, where resurfacing is usually one part of the scope. |
Key takeawayNot sure which one applies? That is what the free on-site estimate is for — Ruben looks at the pool and tells you what it actually needs, including when it does not need a replaster.
Our Services
Pool surface services for San Diego County pools
Each service solves a different problem. Pool surfaces are the specialty — re-plastering and resurfacing is the whole business, not a sideline to general pool maintenance.
Pool Resurfacing
Replacing worn plaster, quartz or pebble interiors on residential and commercial pools with a smooth, durable new surface.
Pool Surface Repair
Diagnosing what is happening at the surface — etching, delamination, staining — and correcting it rather than patching over it. Sometimes an acid wash or a minor repair is all a pool needs.
Concrete Pool Crack Repair
Structural cracking in a concrete or gunite shell is addressed first — before any new interior finish is installed over it.
Pool Leak Detection & Repair
Water loss that evaporation cannot explain, traced to its source and repaired before it undermines the deck or the finish.
Pool Remodeling & Renovation
When resurfacing alone will not get you where you want to be, a broader renovation may be the better use of the budget.
Worn interior finish
Repair Before You Replaster
Does your pool really need re-plastering?
Not always. Because Baja specializes in pool surfaces, Ruben can often tell when a pool can be brought back with an acid wash, an acid rinse, a chlorine wash or some minor repairs instead of a full replaster.
Maybe the pool is getting old and delaminating, or you are fighting algae, have tried everything and still cannot get it under control. Before spending money on a new surface, it is worth finding out what the real problem is. We would rather get to the root of it so your money goes where it is actually needed.
Some of these repairs other pool companies will not do, or do not know about. They are learned by doing the work for many years.
- Acid wash
- Acid rinse
- Chlorine wash
- Minor surface repairs
Key takeawaySalesmen come and go. At Baja Pool Plaster the buck stops with Ruben, the owner — and all estimates and advice are free.
Pool Finish Options
Plaster, quartz and pebble finishes
Every replastering or resurfacing project ends with a finish choice. Baja installs traditional plaster, quartz and pebble finishes in a range of colors, and Ruben goes through the options with you at the pool.
Finish 01
Traditional plaster
The classic cement-based pool interior and the most affordable of the three — smooth, in white or color plasters.
Finish 02
Quartz aggregate
Plaster blended with quartz aggregate. It adds durability over standard plaster and opens up a wider range of colors, with a lightly textured surface.
Finish 03
Pebble finish
Exposed pebble aggregate — the most durable and most textured of the three, often chosen for long-term wear resistance and deeper water tones.
Compare them in detail: quartz finish vs pebble finish, PebbleTec vs pool plaster and which pool surface lasts longer.
Our Process
A clear process from estimate to refilled pool
The same structured sequence on every surface project, so you always know what happens next. What your pool needs specifically is confirmed in your written estimate.
01
On-Site Inspection
Ruben looks at surface condition, shell integrity and any cracking or leaks, writes the estimate on the spot, and explains the work and how long it will take.
02
Drain & Surface Removal
The pool is drained and the existing interior is chipped or acid-washed back, depending on its condition.
03
Repairs & Preparation
Cracks, chips and structural imperfections are corrected before any new material is applied.
04
New Finish Application
Your plaster, quartz or pebble finish is applied evenly across floor, walls, steps and benches.
05
Fill, Startup & Walkthrough
The pool is refilled, chemistry is balanced through the critical curing period, and we review the finished surface with you.
Timelines depend on pool size, the condition of the existing surface, the repairs needed, the finish selected and the weather during curing. An on-site assessment is the only accurate way to scope your pool.
Owner-led
Pool surfaces since 1984
Why Baja Pool Plaster
Straight answers from the owner, since 1984
Ruben Castillo started in pool plastering in the early 1970s, opened his own plastering company in 1984 and settled permanently in San Diego in 1988. He has re-plastered pools across San Diego County ever since — and he still does every estimate himself.
01
The owner does the estimate
Since 1984 Ruben has personally done all of his own estimates. You talk to him face to face at the pool and get the estimate in writing in minutes — not by e-mail days later.
02
No commission salesman
Salesmen come and go. At Baja the buck stops with Ruben, so the advice you get is about your pool.
03
Repair first, replaster second
If an acid wash, a chlorine wash or a minor repair will do, you will hear that before anyone talks about a new surface.
04
Guarantees on the work
Standard guarantees apply to all swimming pool work performed, and additional guarantees are available on request.
05
Licensed and local
A licensed California contractor — CSLB #452824 — working on pools across San Diego County.
Service Area
Pool services across San Diego County
Baja works on pools throughout San Diego and the surrounding communities, inland and on the coast. See our service area.
- San Diego
- La Jolla
- Point Loma
- El Cajon
- La Mesa
- Lakeside
- Rancho Bernardo
- Bonita
Other San Diego County communities are served on request. Not sure whether your address is inside the area? Call (619) 458-3443 and we will confirm.
Pool Owner Resources
Plan your project with our guides
Practical guidance on replastering, remodeling and choosing the right contractor for your pool.
Hiring & Planning Guide
What to check, ask and prepare before a replastering or resurfacing project.
Pool Finish Comparison
How to decide between a new surface and a broader remodel.
Hiring & Planning Guide
What to look for before you hire anyone to replaster your pool.
Frequently Asked
Questions about our pool services
Short, direct answers. If your question is not here, call Ruben and get it answered for your specific pool — the advice is free.
San Diego Pools
Ask Ruben about your pool
What is the difference between replastering and resurfacing?
Replastering means applying a new plaster finish. Resurfacing is the broader term and can mean plaster, quartz or pebble.
Most homeowners use the words interchangeably. What matters is choosing the right finish for the pool’s age, use and budget — see pool replastering and pool resurfacing.
Does every old pool need to be replastered?
No. Some pools come back with an acid wash, an acid rinse, a chlorine wash or minor repairs.
Because pool surfaces are the specialty, Ruben can usually tell which category a pool falls into — and will tell you when a replaster is not needed.
Do you work on spas and commercial pools?
Yes. Baja works on swimming pools and spas, and resurfaces both residential and commercial pools.
Are estimates free?
Yes. All estimates and advice are free.
Ruben looks at the pool on site and gives you the estimate in writing, usually in minutes, along with an explanation of the work and how long it will take.
What if my pool is losing water or has cracks?
Those are fixed first.
Structural cracks and leaks are repaired before any new finish goes on — resurfacing over them only hides the problem. See concrete pool crack repair and pool leak detection and repair.
Is your pool work guaranteed?
Yes. Standard guarantees apply to all swimming pool work performed.
Additional guarantees on top of the standard ones are available on request — ask Ruben about them when he writes your estimate.
Which areas do you serve?
Pools throughout San Diego and across San Diego County.
That includes El Cajon, Lakeside, La Jolla, Point Loma, La Mesa, Rancho Bernardo and Bonita. Call to confirm your address.
Start Your Project
Find out what your pool actually needs
Call and Ruben will come out, look at the pool and hand you a written estimate on the spot — including an honest answer when a replaster is not needed. Estimates and advice are free.
Request a free estimate
Three details and Ruben will call you back to arrange a look at the pool.
"*" indicates required fields
Or call (619) 458-3443.