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Repairing Minor Scratches on a Thermal Plastic Pool Step

Check your step material first. This method is for thermal plastic steps only, and acetone will damage a vinyl liner.

Pool steps often pick up scratches during shipping or installation. Many of the smaller ones can be repaired with common products, but only on the right kind of step.

Before you start

  • This method works on thermal plastic steps only. It cannot be used on acrylic or fiberglass steps. Royal Swimming Pools sells both thermal plastic and acrylic steps, so if you are not sure which you have, contact us before you begin.
  • Keep acetone away from your vinyl liner. It will damage the liner.
  • Wear latex gloves and protective eyewear. Acetone and denatured alcohol are not good for your skin or eyes and will cause discomfort on contact.

What you will need

  • Acetone
  • Denatured alcohol
  • Rags
  • Latex gloves
  • Protective eyewear

How to repair the scratch

  1. Put on your gloves and protective eyewear.
  2. Pour a small amount of denatured alcohol onto a rag and rub the scratched area thoroughly. This cleans the area and preps it for the acetone. Denatured alcohol on its own is also fine for cleaning marks and dirt off your steps.
  3. Take a fresh rag and pour a very small amount of acetone onto it. Rub it lightly over the scratched area for a few seconds, then move to a clean section of the rag with a little more acetone and carry on. Keep changing to a fresh section every few seconds.
  4. When the scratches are gone, dry the area thoroughly with a fresh rag.

Do not rub too hard. Pressing too firmly will take the texture off the step, which is harder to fix than the scratch was.

Practice somewhere out of sight first. Getting the technique right on an inconspicuous area is worth the extra few minutes before you work on a step everyone can see.

Watch it done

Our blog post on repairing thermal plastic pool steps includes a how-to video of the full repair.

Still need help?

Didn't find the answer you were looking for? You can always contact us at support@royalswimmingpools.com or choose the category below to see our most frequently asked questions for that topic: