discolored places on textured uba tuba?

[palmerjoe]

Brand new to the forum, but have a question/problem my fabricator couldn't solve.  We bought a couple slabs of textured uba tuba from a wholesaler. The fabricator cut and installed it, then sealed it using Tenax Ager (it looks grey/white unfinished, but black with the wet look). The next day we noticed a couple rings that perfectly matched the bottom of a glass in white. When we showed it to the fabricator, he tried to buff it out and reapply the sealer, before trying to strip it all off with acetone or something, then reapply, but the rings wouldn't go away.
 
The only thing we could think of is that if something that had soap or something on it and got on the bottom of a glass and was set on the granite before it was completely dry... but seemed odd.. and we (thought we were) careful in not putting anything on until it was ok to do so.  We called the granite wholesaler who recommended 511, and called the GC to have the fabricator put it on.. but we think he just slapped it on over the top of everything.

Has anyone heard of this?  Is there anything we can do (ie somehow strip everything completely and start over?).  Could send/attach pics if that's an option.  Would love to find some kind of solution..
Thanks!!
Joe

[Mark D.]

Pics would be helpful. It sounds like an etch, but on Uba TubaZ?
Mark

[palmerjoe]

Thanks for the reply Mark.  It's very odd.  As i mentioned, before being sealed/enhanced, the granite was a grey color, with the sealed 'wet look' it's black.  It's like whatever caused the marks prevented the sealer from getting in, although that's probably not the case. We recently tried sealing it again (thus the shine in the pics), but probably should have waited.  A few pictures are here
http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/palmerjoe/Granite/

not the greatest photos, but you can see the one ring pretty clearly, then there are some other marks as you get closer to the sink.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  I watched the fabricator try to strip it with acetone, then actually try to take a marker and rub around the space to try to get it darker) then seal it again with the Ager.  The granite wholesaler recommended 511 enhancer/sealer after the fact, and we mentioned it to the GC, who said the fabricator came back and put it on, but i think he probably slapped it on over the top of everything just to be done with it.  There is another spot with a lighter circle that i couldn't get to come out in the picture. 

Thanks!
Joe

[Mark D.]

If you put Ager on it the 511 won't work as it is already sealed.
Is this as antiqued finish or a smooth finish? Hard to tell from the pic.
I am going to ask some restoration pros to take a peek at this for you.
Mark

[palmerjoe]

The granite itself has a texture to it (ie is bumpy and rough), is that what antiqued means? It is not smooth, except for the edges.  We liked the rough finish, most of why we got these slabs.

Right, i was thinking that the 511 wouldn't do anything, but am assuming that's what the guy did just to try to appease us by saying he put on the 511.

Btw, which is a better product and what we should be using in the future?

Thanks again for your reply, really appreciate it!

[Mark D.]

While Miracle Sealants makes some fine products, when it comes to sealers and specifically color enhancing sealers there is nothing better than Tenax Ager. It is used by more professionals than any other color enhancer for a reason. It's a high quality durable product.

Mark

[Mark D.]

I talked to a restoration friend and he said it looks like too much sealer and to hit it with an antiquing brush. If it is an etch that would be the only way to remove it also.

Mark

[palmerjoe]

awesome, thanks Mark.  I see you have the brushes on your site, I'll definitely order one from defusco.  Is there one you recommend?

Thanks

Joe

[Mark D.]

Run this at a low speed, 800 RPM or less and put some water down on the stone so that the brushes are water cooled.
This one ought to do the trick:
http://www.defusco.com/Tenax-4-Antiquing-Brush-300-grit-Snaillock-backer-2782

Glad to be of service,
Mark

[Mark D.]

How did it work for you?