Michael1995
Newbie
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« on: December 05, 2010, 01:48:38 PM » |
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Hi,
I tried posting this in the questions forum, but it doesn't allow me to post a new topic. My question is, I moved into a new home that has granite countertop in the kitchen. It is one year old countertop. I noticed it seems to have a lot of stains on it. Not colored, pretty much clear, but a couple of them look like rings- as if a wine glass was placed there and it left a mark. Other looks like blotches- near the sing- as if maybe water sat there. I don't know if water can cause these stains or what. I can alse feel it too- it's not as smooth as the unmarked area. I inquired at a Home Depot and they gave me a number to call where I can order chemicals to extract it out. I rather not do that, since I don't know what I am doing to begin with. I also called the people who installed it, but they promise to call back to set up an appt to look at it and never do. I just wanted to get an idea if there are any easy ways to try and fix this without potentially making it worse. I am really not familiar with granite care, so any advice would be appreciated. Also, the stone is mostly shiny, but I also notice it's very pourous. There are parts- where they are small "holes"- or divets. I am not sure how else to describe this. Is this normal? Any granite I've seen, is not like this. OR could it have not been sealed? Although when I did speak with the company that installed it, they insisted they seal all their countertops. Again, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Granite master
Newbie
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« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2010, 08:25:17 PM » |
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"I can alse feel it too- it's not as smooth as the unmarked area." Take some 00# steelwool and rub the area, it might take some elbow grease but it will not damage the surface. As for the stains- are they lighter or darker than the stone? Could you post some pics or email jgouws1234@yahoo.com. |
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Mark D.
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« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2010, 07:35:52 AM » |
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It certainly sounds like an etch rather than a stain since you can feel it as well as see it. If it is etched you will need a restoration guy to come out and fix it with diamond superabrasives.
Pictures might be helpful.
You don't say in your post but is the stone used for your countertop Black Absolute?
Glad to be of service,
Mark
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Michael1995
Newbie
Posts: 5
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« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2010, 11:01:26 AM » |
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Thank you for the responses. In regard to feeling it, it's more raised than etched. I tried scrubbing it with a sponge at one point and hot water but it wouldn't remove. But I have others that are pretty smooth and only noticeable when light hits it. I don't believe it is black absolute. This is white granite called "Myra Beige"- whether the name is through the manufactorer or a common name, I have no idea. I will have to try to take pictures and either attempt to post on here- or I will email. It's hard to say whether the stains are lighter or darker- many of them are hard to even see, unless the light is hitting it from an angle then it's very noticeable. It really looks like there could be water on the countertop, but it won't remove. Again, I will try to post photos so it is easier to see.
Thank you.
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Mark D.
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« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2010, 12:02:35 PM » |
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Michael,
If there is something above the stone you should be able to remove it with steel wool or a razor blade, but this is NOT granite. Myra beige is a marble that comes from Turkey and is very soft so be careful doing that.
In all likelihood this is an etch, which is a chemical reaction caused when acid hits the calcium in your marble and basically oxidizes the stone. When a stone etches the first degree is gloss degradation, followed by roughness of texture followed by stone deterioration. Are these "stains" lighter than the stone? If they are it is almost definitely an etch as you stain something darker, not lighter.
With an etch you should have a restoration professional come out who is qualified to top polish your slab to remove the etch and bring back the color and gloss level you desire.
That being said, once the counter has been repaired if you spill an acidic product on it then it will etch again as marble is a calcite. You may want to use a topical barrier in the future. There is no chemical way to remove an etch. Once again the people at Home Depot are giving advise that is just incorrect information. We know stone. Home Depot doesn't.
Glad to be of service,
mark
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Michael1995
Newbie
Posts: 5
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« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2010, 10:55:46 AM » |
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Thank you for the response. I had spoken with the company that installed it twice (but they don't call back to schedule an appt to see it when they say they will), and when they asked what stone it was, I would say Myra Beige, and they explained they had both a marble and a granite called Myra Beige- so it should be a granite. I did take some photographs, no clue if this is going to work though. Also- these types of stains are all over the granite in some parts- looks like the previous owners didn't seem to care-- and it was only about half a year old when I purchased. *** updated- here are links to a flickr account i made for this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47598141@N04/5243994667/http://www.flickr.com/photos/47598141@N04/5243994627/http://www.flickr.com/photos/47598141@N04/5244592592/in/photostream/ |
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« Last Edit: December 08, 2010, 11:03:01 AM by Michael1995 »
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Mark D.
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« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2010, 11:08:04 AM » |
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can you shoot an overhead pic? Based on what photos you posted it sure looks like marble or limestone to me  Again, if you can feel them it is probably an etch. At the very least the shine is gone. What is the finish you want on this stone? It does not look like it was ever a high gloss finish. Mark |
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Michael1995
Newbie
Posts: 5
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« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2010, 11:22:37 AM » |
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Mark D.
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« Reply #8 on: December 08, 2010, 11:44:27 AM » |
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This definitely looks like marble or limestone to me. I do not belie this is granite and with htat in mind the loss of gloss is an etch. If it is smooth to the touch you could repolish it with our polishing kit for marble and your low speed or variable speed grinder set at the lowest rpm. The repolishing kit would be available here: http://www.defusco.com/Dia-Glo-Marble-Complete-Repolishing-Sealing-Kit-2668If this is a kitchen counter and you want to prevent this from happening again you should wax it occasionally as a topical barrier to prevent the acids interacting with the calcium in the stone (which is how etching occurs). Here is a good wax: http://www.defusco.com/TENAX-CERA-FLUIDA-LIQUID-WAX-CLEAR-1-QUART-2785Glad to be of service, Mark |
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Michael1995
Newbie
Posts: 5
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« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2010, 01:41:32 PM » |
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Thanks for the advice. I did run my hands over it and actually it does feel pretty smooth. I tried calling the company one more time, and wanted to at least confirm the type of stone- of course they said they would call back in five minutes and it's been three hours. SO my concern is, if I use this polish and it indeed turned out to be a granite, not a marble, would this polish damage the stone?
Thanks again for all your assistance.
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Mark D.
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« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2010, 02:00:49 PM » |
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No it won't damage any stone.
I had other people look at your pics and this DEFINITELY either marble or (more likely) limestone from Turkey.
Mark
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Granite master
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Posts: 3
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« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2010, 09:37:40 PM » |
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I think mark is right it absolutely looks like limestone. I wouldn't be surprised if its sold as marble but it's limestone. It is never a good idea to put polished marble or limesone in a kitchen, except if it's green marble. I always advice customers against it, but unfortunitally you didn't make the choice. Follow marks advice to get the polish back, but you might need someone with experience if it is etched too deep.
Good luck
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