stained marble vanity

[maggiekosto]

hello.  I have a marble countertop in my master bathroom.  it is quite obvious that it has never been sealed and it has stain marks all over it.  I do not want to replace it but it looks terrible.  how can I clean it myself and reseal it? do you have any tricks of the trade?  I have been to home depot and other hardward stores and have not found anything that works.  thanks so much.

[Mark D.]

As long as the marble is not etched this will work. To remove the stains you are going to make an alkaline solution of caustic soda and water. Mix it 10% caustic soda to 90% water. You can get this stuff at any swimming pool supply as it is what they put in the swimming pool when the acid level is too high. Put the solution on your stone and lay paper towels over it to keep it moist for 60 minutes, then clean the stone thoroughly with water and allow to dry overnight.

When you are finished with the cleaning you should seal the stone with Hydrex, a mineral based sealer by Tenax. Wipe on the Hydrex sealer to impregnate the stone. This will stainproof it and prevent citric acid (and other acids) from etching it. It is a mineral based sealer so it will last a long time.
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Hydrex-Sealer/c82_502/p2095/TENAX-IMPREGNATOR-AND-SEALER---1-LITER/product_info.html
If you have any questions please call me at 800-289-6834 during the day.
Glad to be of service,
Mark

[Stone Dude]

if it IS etched, then its going to have to be repaired by a professional. and etch is a permanent mark left by the reaction of an acid and the calcium in the stone. it cannot be removed because it is a physical deterioration in the stone. the rest of the countertop has to be ground down to the level of the etch and refinished with diamond pads, and a polishing compound.

what kind of stone is it, can you post a picture?

[maggiekosto]

thank you all so much for your input.  I will do as you suggested for sure.  I don't believe it is etched although I don't really know the difference.  You cannot feel the marks with your hand, the surface is smooth.  The marks are only visible when the light refects on the countertop so don't believe it is etched.  Will not let me attach photos.  Says my file is too large. 

[Mark D.]

make the pics smaller and you can post them.

Mark

[maggiekosto]

photo attached.  if you look to the left - the dark spots reflected in the light and on the right is a ring, again where the light reflects.  you do have to look hard to see on the pics.

[maggiekosto]

photo

[Stone Dude]

those are etches that cannot be removed. the top has to be resurfaced with diamond abrasive pads. then you can seal it properly, but remember an impregnating sealer wont actually "seal" the stone it will only slow the absorbtion rate of the stone.

[Mark D.]

Another option which may work and is much easier to try it to get a resin based color enhancing sealer and carefully (spelled C A R E F U L L Y) apply it only on the lighter spots. Let it sit there for 10 minutes and carefully buff it off with a rag, being sure to not smear it into the darker stone.
If you want a resin based color enhancing sealer this is it:
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Ager-Sealer/c82_503/p2546/AGER---1/4-LITER/product_info.html

Glad to be of service,
Mark

[Stone Dude]

to try and put a color enhancing sealer on only the dull spots will only lead to frustration. when a stone is polished, it reaches its full natural color potential. you might as well apply it to the whole countertop, but the dull spots will still be there. they will be darker and more colorfull, but not shiny like the rest of it. no proper color enhancer or sealer will leave a polished finish.

[Mark D.]

You are correct Cameron, but a top polish is tough for most professional fabricators. It is almost impossible for a do it yourselfer. I am thinking that to make the lighter parts blend would be of some value to the consumer, but if it has to be the way it was originally by allmeans you should bring in a restoration expert like Cameron.

Glad to be of service,
Mark

[maggiekosto]

well I am glad that I included a photo then if it is in fact etched.  thanks so much for the info.  who would I call to get that process done? 

again, many thanks. 

[Stone Dude]

where are you located? i would recommend checking the marble institute of america @ marble-institute.com in the directory listing for someone in your area. stone restoration is not the cheapest way to go , but when its done, a good restoration pro will make it look better then when it was installed. prepare to pay between $100-200 per hour. small to mid size bathroom counters typically take between 3-6 hours depending on whether you have a top or undermount sink, whether or not the plumbing is removed, and how much prep work there is.

[maggiekosto]

we are in chicago.  will it be cheaper to just replace the slab of marble instead of having it redone? 

[maggiekosto]

is there anything we can do to cover it up by making it distressed (honed look)?  I kinda like that look anyways, like stone or something unpolished?  I guess it could not hurt to try something to distress it and if it does not work, then replace it or refinish it?  I am looking for the most cost effetive thing here.

thanks guys, I do appreciate all your expertise!