Jusy some thoughts.

- plaster/dye quality

- use of granular chemicals which settle on plaster

- low hardness levels in pool water

- inadequate...

Things do not sound so great :(

the pool is leaking by about 1/3rd inch per day
Also, the plaster has considerable check cracking

If this is a...

Painting is a kind of resurfacing. It is not as durable or long-lasting as replastering.

I prefer the texture and feel of the Pebble Tec.

You don't mention whether the pool is a regular or free-form shape. If it is free-form, the angled wall should be OK. If the pool is going to be...

Gunite pools are more prone to algae growth as the surface provides a perfect substrate for the alga to stick on.

Providing the pool water is...

What product are you planning to use? The manufacturers have technical specifications about their individual products.

An acid wash would probably even out the color. But the nature of acid washing is to remove a layer of the surface by dissolving the top. You may end...

Check your total hardness. You will probably find it is much higher than the calcium hardness test indicates. This is due to an incresed...

I would also consider retiling. Tiles are extremely durable and resist the chemicals used in pool water better than almost any other surface finish....

The greying is probably not erosion but scaling. A high saturation index indicates a potential to scale.

Remember the principle of salt-chlorine...