Granite changing colors and it is sealed +

[Mark D.]

When you touched the samples did you leave visible fingerprints?
Mark

[deemaxx]

When you touched the samples did you leave visible fingerprints?
Mark

I could not tell at the granite yard, everthing was outside and dusty. I was asking because I do not want to have to clean the counter top every hour. I had that with a black cook top and returned it. I forgot to tell you I also like the tropic brown.

I want low maintainance.

[Mark D.]

Tropical brown is lower maintenance for cleaning simply because it has more color in it and hides things better, but I wouldn't worry about it either way. It's not like you have to clean it 7 times a day. The blue pearl has those iridescent spots so I don't you would ever see a fingerprint. Just don't clean it (or any granite for that matter) with windex as it will streak and it is not good for the stone longterm.

My wife is a neat-freak also and we live in Arizona - the dust capitol of the USA and she doesn't have to clean them but maybe once a day, depending on the kids of course...
Get the stone you like - it's YOUR kitchen! No granite is high maintenance. That's why you are going to like it!

To seal or not to seal, that is the question. I think all stone should be sealed, but if in doubt get a wet rag and a dry rag. Wipe it with the wet rag and it will get a shade darker. When you wipe it with the dry rag if it stays darker it is absorbing moisture and should be sealed.

Glad to be of service,
Mark

[deemaxx]

Tropical brown is lower maintenance for cleaning simply because it has more color in it and hides things better, but I wouldn't worry about it either way. It's not like you have to clean it 7 times a day. The blue pearl has those iridescent spots so I don't you would ever see a fingerprint. Just don't clean it (or any granite for that matter) with windex as it will streak and it is not good for the stone longterm.

My wife is a neat-freak also and we live in Arizona - the dust capitol of the USA and she doesn't have to clean them but maybe once a day, depending on the kids of course...
Get the stone you like - it's YOUR kitchen! No granite is high maintenance. That's why you are going to like it!

To seal or not to seal, that is the question. I think all stone should be sealed, but if in doubt get a wet rag and a dry rag. Wipe it with the wet rag and it will get a shade darker. When you wipe it with the dry rag if it stays darker it is absorbing moisture and should be sealed.

Glad to be of service,
Mark

Went to 2 rock yards today. Still confused.

Choices of the day: Drum roll please!

Are:

Black Pearl

Uba Tuba

And Peacock gold.

Any suggestions as to which would be a better choice. I really like Emerald Pearl, but the fabricator said he would not replace my old granite with that one. Did not say why.

 

[Stone Dude]

uba tuba is the only one i am familiar with, you cant really go wrong with it.

[deemaxx]

uba tuba is the only one i am familiar with, you cant really go wrong with it.

So that is a good choice even with all those small veins running thru it? I am afraid of cracks.

[deemaxx]

I am never going to make up my mind here. I was told by someone at work that I would hate the Black Pearl because of the fingerprints and smudges. They know me too well.

I am going to another granite yard on Saturday, I want to look at the Peacock Gold again and another person told me that the Verdi Butterfly was pretty too.

The fabricator said absoutely NO to the Emerald Pearl for a redo.

That was and still is my first choice, but no one knows how to reprice it if I want it. Too much trouble I guess.

Now for my question. How difficult is it to tear out the old granite? Should I worry about anything being destroyed?

I really do not trust this fabricator, but he is going to send his crew anyway. It is a different one from the original guys. AND I do not have a choice.

[Stone Dude]

verde peacock and uba tuba are almost identical in makeup. they are the same color, just with different patterns. personally i like the peacock  better because it has more character. it is considered a standard stone but it is very beautiful. it is considered a soft granite as well as the uba tuba, but still will not scratch easily. as far as the veining or fissure being a concern, the fabricator is the only one that has to worry about that. once its in youre home you should be fine.

the only thing i can tell you abou this stone is a green scotchbrite pad WILL scratch it. buy the blue scotchbrite pads or use something else alltogether.  this is the one thing ive seen people make a bad habit out of. it wont destroy the counter or anything but over the course of a year or more it will eventually dull the finish. other than that, this stone is not acid sensitive, as far as i know, and is very durable. this is a stone that should not be on your "worried about" list.

[deemaxx]

verde peacock and uba tuba are almost identical in makeup. they are the same color, just with different patterns. personally i like the peacock  better because it has more character. it is considered a standard stone but it is very beautiful. it is considered a soft granite as well as the uba tuba, but still will not scratch easily. as far as the veining or fissure being a concern, the fabricator is the only one that has to worry about that. once its in youre home you should be fine.

the only thing i can tell you abou this stone is a green scotchbrite pad WILL scratch it. buy the blue scotchbrite pads or use something else alltogether.  this is the one thing ive seen people make a bad habit out of. it wont destroy the counter or anything but over the course of a year or more it will eventually dull the finish. other than that, this stone is not acid sensitive, as far as i know, and is very durable. this is a stone that should not be on your "worried about" list.

Thank you for your detailed answer. I get to go to another rock yard on saturday, they just got a new shipment in. So we shall see what we like. They offered a third possiblity something called cafe imperial. Give me your honest opinion and telll which you think would go better in our kitchen. just go back to the photos.
Thanks a big bunch.

[deemaxx]

Thank you for your detailed answer. I get to go to another rock yard on saturday, they just got a new shipment in. So we shall see what we like. They offered a third possiblity something called cafe imperial. Give me your honest opinion and telll which you think would go better in our kitchen. just go back to the photos please. The other thing I am worried about is the taking out of the old granite, can that cause any damage to my cabinets or walls?

Thanks a big bunch.
 

[Stone Dude]

taking out the old granite shouldnt really cause any damage other than to the granite being taken out. i honestly am not familiar with these stones except uba tuba and verde peacock and sometimes they change the names so it could be something else than what theyre calling it.

[deemaxx]

taking out the old granite shouldnt really cause any damage other than to the granite being taken out. i honestly am not familiar with these stones except uba tuba and verde peacock and sometimes they change the names so it could be something else than what theyre calling it.

We finally found a granite that we like. We are getting Verde Butterfly. It has a mixture of colors that should go well in the kitchen.

I have seen a difference of opinion on this granite concerning sealing.  Some say it is dense so do not seal, others say Seal everything.

What should we do aabout sealing, and what product should we be looking for? I think the installer is going to seal it, so what questions do I ask?

Mark and Stone Dude thanks so very much for all your help.

[Stone Dude]

i honestly wouldnt worry about sealing it. if anything were to penetrate, which is not likely, it probably wouldnt even show up because the stone is so dark. improper sealing can cause headaches, and for this reason, for what you've gone through so far i would leave it alone.

there are hundreds of sealers out there, many of them work well if theyre applied correctly.

[deemaxx]

Thanks a bunch for your answer. I hope they do not force a sealer on me, because from what I have read, I saw where it could be a huge headache.

[deemaxx]

Just wanted to let you know that they are taking the old granite out today. And hopefully will finish by tomorrow.