Metal Control for Stain Prevention & Cleaner Pool Surfaces
Lo-Chlor Metal Solution is a concentrated metal sequestrant developed to help control dissolved metals commonly found in pool and spa water.
By managing metals such as iron and copper before they settle, it helps reduce staining, minimise discolouration, and support cleaner pool surfaces over time.
Regular use assists with ongoing stain prevention and is particularly beneficial for pools filled with mineral-rich or bore water, as well as new or recently resurfaced pools where early metal control is important.
Features & Benefits
- Helps remove dissolved metals – binds unwanted metals in the water so they can be managed through normal filtration and maintenance.
- Controls metal-related staining – reduces the chance of iron and copper depositing on pool surfaces.
- Supports ongoing stain reduction – regular use can assist in fading older metallic discolouration over time.
- Aids in scale control – helps limit mineral deposits and supports cleaner surfaces.
- Ideal for start-ups – helpful for new and resurfaced pools where early metal control matters.
- Suitable for pools and spas – compatible with normal circulation and filtration systems.
How It Works
Metal Solution works through a process known as chelation.
The formulation binds dissolved metals in the water into stable complexes, helping keep them suspended rather than allowing them to settle onto pool surfaces as stains or scale.
By keeping metals in solution, they can be managed through regular filtration, dilution, and ongoing water maintenance, reducing the chance of stain formation over time.
How to Use
- If treating metal staining, keep free chlorine at normal maintenance levels (not above 3.0 ppm) before dosing.
- With the pump running, add the required dose in front of a return line or via the skimmer for best dispersion.
- Allow the product to circulate fully through the filtration system (ideally 6–8 hours or overnight).
- Re-test pH and total alkalinity after treatment and adjust gradually if required.
Dosage & Coverage
- Standard dose: 1 L per 50,000 litres of pool water.
Important Usage & Compatibility Information
- This product may slightly lower pH and total alkalinity.
- If adjustment is required, raise pH and alkalinity gradually as part of normal water balancing.
- Typically used after stain removal treatments to help control dissolved metals and reduce the chance of stains returning.
- Most effective when used as part of a regular pool maintenance program.
- Designed for use in swimming pools and spas.
Why Choose Lo-Chlor Stain Busters?
Lo-Chlor Stain Busters is a specialised range developed to help identify, treat, and manage the many different types of pool and spa stains — because no two stains behave the same way.
From dissolved metals and mineral deposits to organic staining from leaves and algae, each product in the range targets a specific cause, helping you treat stains more accurately and reduce the chance of them returning.
Manufactured in Australia and trusted by pool professionals, Lo-Chlor formulations are built around practical, real-world pool conditions — supporting clearer water, cleaner surfaces, and easier ongoing maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I work out what type of stain I have?
Pool stains aren’t always obvious — the same stain can look different depending on the surface, lighting, and water conditions. The most reliable approach is to test the stain before choosing a treatment.
If you’re unsure, start with a small spot test (below) and treat a small area first.
What’s the simplest spot test to tell metal stains from organic stains?
Always test a small area first:
- Vitamin C test (metal): Place a vitamin C tablet (ascorbic acid) in a thin sock and hold it on the stain for 1–2 minutes. If it lightens, it’s likely metal-related (commonly iron).
- Chlorine test (organic): Place a small amount of granular chlorine (or a chlorine tablet) in a sock and hold it briefly on the stain. If it lightens, it’s more likely organic (algae/leaf staining).
If neither test changes the stain, it may be scale, oxidation, or a surface-specific issue that needs a different approach.
Is it a stain, scale, or surface oxidation?
- Scale is a mineral deposit (often calcium) that usually looks chalky or milky and can feel rough, like sandpaper.
- Oxidation can give fibreglass or painted surfaces a dull, milky, or chalky look (often linked to water balance and sanitiser management over time).
- Stains are colour changes on the surface and can be small patches or cover large areas.
Correct identification matters because different causes respond to different treatments.
Where do metals in pool water usually come from?
Metals can enter pool water in several common ways, including:
- Salt additions (salt can contain trace metals such as iron).
- Top-up water, especially bore or mineral-rich water (iron, manganese, copper).
- Long-term use of some liquid chlorines (trace metals can build up over time).
- Metal-based algaecides (often copper-based).
- Metal fixtures (more common in some above-ground pools).
- Runoff and garden dirt after heavy rain or hosing near the pool.
Why do stains sometimes come back weeks after treatment?
With metal staining, lifting the mark from the surface is only part of the process. The metal can still be present in the water and may re-oxidise and re-deposit later if the source isn’t addressed.
For longer-term results, focus on both:
- Managing the cause (top-up water, salt additions, runoff, metal-based products), and
- Ongoing prevention with the appropriate Stain Busters product for your stain type.
Do I need to adjust chlorine before using stain treatments?
Some stain treatments work best when chlorine is kept at normal maintenance levels (not elevated). High chlorine can reduce the effectiveness of certain stain removal processes.
Follow the directions on the specific Stain Busters product you’re using, and avoid shock dosing immediately before stain treatment unless the label instructs otherwise.
What should I do before and after stain treatment for best results?
- Test first: Identify the stain type with a small spot test and treat a small area before committing to a full treatment.
- Circulation matters: Run the pump to help distribute treatment evenly and support filtration.
- Keep water balanced: Stable pH and alkalinity help reduce re-deposit risk and support consistent results.
- Clean filtration: Ensure the filter is operating efficiently (backwash/clean if needed) so the system can capture and remove what it can.
Is Stain Busters suitable for all pool surfaces?
Stain behaviour can vary by surface type (fibreglass, plaster, tiled, vinyl, painted). Always treat a small area first and follow product directions.
For vinyl (especially patterned liners), take extra care with spot treatments using chlorine, as prolonged contact may bleach the surface.
Can I combine stain products or add them together?
Avoid adding multiple chemicals at the same time. Do not pre-mix products in a bucket.
Add one product, allow it to circulate, then retest and follow the label before adding anything else. This helps prevent unwanted interactions and keeps treatments more predictable.
