Travertine bathroom counter needs holes sealed ??

[doitmyself]

I had a Travertine counter and an undermount sink "professionally" installed for my master bathroom. The travertine had to be cut for the hole where the undermount sink would be placed. All around the hole are these gaping holes that seem to get bigger as I wipe down the dust from the initial installation. I went to my local hardware store who suggested some kind of epoxy filler to smooth the surface and THEN seal it. I need advise before I am left balancing my bathroom sink on one hand while washing my face with the other.

[Mark D.]

If the top is solid and the cut edge is like swiss cheese then the "professional" who made your countertop didn't bother to fill the holes with travertine filler. If you paid him to do this I would urge him to finish the job.
We carry Tenax travertine filler. It's cream colored to match the stone and made specifically for use with travertine:
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Tenax-Travertine-Filler/c82_506/index.html

Then seal the stone with this:
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Hydrex-Sealer/c82_502/p2095/TENAX-IMPREGNATOR-AND-SEALER---1-LITER/product_info.html

Glad to be of service,
Mark

[Stone Dude]

where are the holes, on top or around the inner rim? is the piece polished or honed. did he polish or hone the inner rim to match the rest of the top? what color or tone is the piece. dark brown, beige, tan etc.?

[doitmyself]

Hi Mark D.

I'm not sure what you mean by the top being solid. The top is mostly solid except for a few small holes that seem bigger under the surface because the more I wipe with a plain old damp rag they are disintigrating into dust thus making the whole bigger. The piece is honed if this is what is called a rough rustic look - not polished. I already had the "professional" come out to finish other portions because he just did an extremely poor job, and even though I have an untrained eye something regarding the Travertine did not look right as if something was missing, but he insisted all I had to do was wipe down the dust from the installation. Even after I pointed out the holes he said that's how it was supposed to look !!!! Are the products you recommended easy to use - for the do-it-yourselfer and how can I tell how much I need ?

[doitmyself]

Hi Stone Dude,

The holes are mostly on the inner rim and some small ones on the top. The peice is honed. I don't think he did anything other than cur (and badly) and install. The piece is like a beige, light tan color.

[Stone Dude]

thats too bad. since it was a small job you probably wont be able to get him to come out and fix it, if hes even capabe if it. if you wanted to smooth it out after you fill it to make it match better you can use some carbide sandpaper. start with 80 grit, then 220, 400, 800 and 1000 if it needs to be that high. you could probably stop at 400 or 600 and match the finish. you can do what mark suggested by filling it with travertine filler. the one i use is a polyester, you want to use a razor blade or somehting similar. stick in the hole and work it in to get the air bubbles out, then leave a small layer over the stone because it contracts when it dries. then you can sand it flat. whether or not you want to use a color to mix the fill to match the best is up to you.

[Mark D.]

The Tenax Travertine filler is precolored a cream or buff color to match the travertine. Even though you know you repaired it if you do this correctly nobody else will notice.

Glad to be of service,
Mark