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How To Renew A Scratched Countertop

Cultured tops are made of polyester resin with a clear topcoat (called the gel coat). The buffing can be done by hand, but a small power buffer is much easier.

How To Polish Marble Countertops by countertopguides.com

Make sure the soap is completely removed and that the marble is dry before proceeding. Pour out the prescribed amount of polishing compound onto the surface. Work the compound with the felt wheel at low to medium speed. Let the compound and your tool do the work – don’t press too hard! Finish the job with a damp cloth, so that no compound remains. Apply the sealer with a soft, clean rag or a soft-bristled brush. When the sealer has dried completely, your countertops will look like new and be ready to use. The kit really sets you up to do the job properly for outstanding results. Before polishing, clean the marble with a mild, non-abrasive detergent and a sponge or soft cloth. Attach the backer and the felt wheel to the polisher or grinder. Most contractors work a section of one to two square feet at a time.

How To Polish Marble by countertopspecialty.com

The polish or shine on marble doesn’t come from the application of any wax or product. Again, to do it right requires a highly developed technique. Re-finishing/ polishing marble is a normal process in the life of any installation (if desired) but particulaly of polished marble floors. However, you may have some other issues like a wax that has been applied that is now dull and scuffed or a soap build up that is dulling the marble. If not, then get references and interview as many marble restoration pros you can find. Polishing a marble floor for instance or a marble countertop requires considerable skill and experience. There isn’t any spray or product that you can apply yourself to instantly make it shiny. It is created by grinding and smoothing using diamond abrasives. Even your average natural stone fabricator or installer is not qualified for such a job. Marble is not as hard as granite and repeated use and foot traffic will eventually wear away the shiny surface layer. Easy to do and your marble will look shiny, but problems eventually arise with this short-cut technique since it chemically alters the physical nature of your marble permanently.

The Truth About Polishing Marble by themarblecleaner.com

Below we have detailed 3 possible causes for dulled marble, and how each of them can be fixed so you can have your marble looking awesome in no time! As we said above, the polished marble surface is a man made surface finish, and once these acids dissolve or etch the surface finish away; the natural rough marble is then exposed. To fix this, you need re-polished this area to restore the original shiny look. This problem is very common on the kitchen countertops where you use a lot of acidic materials like coffee, lemon juice, wine, and salad dressing to name a few! Some examples of this are soap scum in a marble shower, or soap scum build up on countertops from using soapy water. To remove soap scum, use a quality soap scum remover on the marble surface. If this doesn’t work you have probably etched the entire surface or just worn out t he polished surface. Honed marble is used a lot in kitchens, marble tile showers, and marble floors. If you accidentally etch your marble we recommend fixing this use a polishing powder. Be very careful in bathrooms when cleaning around toilets and tubs. It is incredibly frustrating to see your marble surface go from beautiful to dull. Polished marble is achieved by physically polishing the marble’s surface from its natural shape and texture (which is usually very rough) to a very beautiful smooth and shiny surface. It is important to note that marble does not get its polished shiny surface from treatments of oils or polishes (it is not like polishing silver before your christmas dinner), it gets it from physically polishing the surface from a rough natural surface to a surface as smooth as glass. It occurs a lot in small spots when acid encounters your marble surface and physically dissolves part of the surface of the marble. This natural stone is not polished because it was below the surface during the marble polishing process at the factory, and therefore looks dull compared to its surroundings. This can be easily done using polishing powder for small spots on your marble surface, but if your entire marble floor or marble countertop looks dull from etching then you need to contact a marble professional. It is also common anywhere you have used harsh cleaning products on your marble. If this doesn’t work then your surface has probably been etched and you will need to contact a professional. In either case, contact your marble restoration professional to fix this problem. This seems like a trivial solution to your unpolished marble problem, but we get this question a lot. We recommend the use of honed marble in all these cases, but if you want polished marble then we recommend you contact your local marble care professional to add a polished surface finish to your marble. If you fix these problems as they are occur they will not build up requiring you to pay hundreds of dollars for marble restoration later. Typical toilet and tub cleaners can etch your marble surfaces. A lot of times these companies do not have a lot of experience with marble floors and they will use cleaning materials that will etch or build up films that will ruin your marble shine.

Polish Marble Countertops: Tips and Mistakes To Avoid by doityourself.com

Taking good care of your marble countertops demands that you be informed and persistent in maintenance routines. Modern techniques have developed a lot of ways to polish your marble. You can use a damp cloth, preferably a chamois or microfiber. Use warm water to rinse the marble countertop making sure that you have completely cleared the countertop of liquid detergent. Also, avoid using bleach and other cleaning products containing alkaline and acid because it will degrade the sealer on the countertop. Though a quality sealer is important to protect your marble countertop, it may not always be necessary. Some marbles do not absorb sealers leaving them dry on the surface. These types of products will ultimately provide peace of mind. Marble is one of the most chosen materials for kitchens and bathrooms because it gives the room a unique ambiance, and with proper maintenance this uniqueness can last a lifetime. Several workers need to scrub the marble surface by hand just to achieve a polish. Do not use bar or powdered soaps because it will leave a residue on the marble. Vinegar, ammonia, orange or lemon must also be avoided because they contain natural acids. Materials such as cooking oil, wine, juices, coffee and sauces will stain your countertop. It is recommended to also use the polishing products that are specific for marble countertops. Acetone is used for light colored marble and hydrogen peroxide is for dark colored marbles. Another way on how to polish your marble countertop is with the use of baking soda. Wipe thoroughly with a microfiber cloth and you will achieve the polish you desire.

How To Make A Marble Top Shiny by homeguides.sfgate.com

Sealing a marble top after cleaning or sanding helps give it a shine. Wet a non-abrasive sponge with warm water, wring it out and wipe the marble top again. As an alternative, add a drop or two of mild dishwashing liquid to the damp sponge, wipe the marble top and rinse well with plain water, or use a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts water. Buff it to a shine by rubbing the entire surface with the cloth in small circles. Spread the paste over the stain on the marble top with a spatula or putty knife. Allow the poultice to dry for 24 hours and scrape it up with a razor blade. As an alternative, use sheets of sandpaper or a sanding block and sand the marble top by hand. Seal the marble, if desired, with a commercial sealing product. Marble-polishing paste helps fill in etch marks and scratches. Whether you’ve chosen marble tops, rented an apartment that has one or you have inherited a marble top, cleaning it properly will help it last a lifetime — or longer. If it’s especially dirty or stained, you might need to apply a poultice or sand it. Spray the marble surface with commercial stone cleaner and wipe it off with a clean, soft rag. Cover the surface with commercial stone polish or marble-polishing paste if you want more shine after buffing with a chamois. Pour enough hydrogen peroxide into the powder to make a thick paste, stirring as you go. Cover the paste with plastic wrap and tape all the way around the edges with masking tape or painter’s tape. Wash the marble top with water to remove any remaining powder. Place a piece of 120-grit sandpaper on the pad of a palm sander. If using a palm sander, choose small sandpaper sheets made for your sander.

How To Polish Marble by bobvila.com

However, soft and porous marble counters have their downsides, and chief among them is their tendency to stain or etch. These may occur after exposure to acidic or highly colored foods (red wine, tomatoes, vinegar, and citrus) and even acidic or abrasive cleaning products. Less slippery than polished marble, honed marble is very well suited for floors. Still, polished marble is the more common choice for the kitchen countertops or table inlays. Plus, its shine offers a semi-reflective surface that is both attractive and helps to make a small kitchen appear larger than its footprint. If you’re looking to restore shine to your polished marble counter or tabletop, though, you can do so with these accessible supplies and steps. The first step to restoring your marble’s shine is to clean them. While there are commercial marble stain removers—often called poultices—you can also make your own by slowly mixing one tablespoon of ammonia into a half-cup of hydrogen peroxide and slowly adding just enough baking soda to make a thick, creamy texture. Carefully scrape the crumbly poultice away with a razor blade without gouging or digging at the marble surface. Gently buff the powder into the blemishes with your damp cloth according to the product’s instructions. Generally, you should seal your marble counters at least twice per year, although performing the task each season will keep your counters looking their best. Read the directions on your marble sealer carefully, and apply as directed. Spread the sealer across the entire marble countertop with a clean, dry cloth and let the sealer soak into the marble for the length of time specified on the product’s container (typically less than five minutes). Read up on how you can restore its good looks using just a few specialty stone products. The latter problem, etching , refers to dulled spots that sometimes appear pitted and feel slightly rough to the touch. Still, the beauty of marble—and the value it adds to your kitchen or bathroom—makes it worth a bit of extra trouble. Some homeowners also prefer honed marble for their countertops, as it’s less likely to scratch than polished marble and hides etching better than a shiny surface. The less porous option, this finish won’t stain as easily as honed marble might and does not demand the same frequency of sealing. While it is possible to transform a polished marble counter into a honed surface, or vice versa, the project requires skill and experience and special equipment—in other words, it’s best to leave this job to a professional with a stone polishing machine. Wipe your marble with a soft dry rag to remove dust and crumbs, then wet the surface with a damp sponge. Whichever you choose, distribute the cleaner across the marble, buffing away any spots of food or other debris. Doing so can etch the polish, leaving you with dulled spots. If your marble counters have discolorations left behind by food or other household items, you’ll need to treat them before moving on to polishing. Now, spread the poultice over any stained areas using a clean paintbrush and cover with plastic wrap (edges taped down). Clean away any remaining poultice residue with a damp cloth, and then wipe the marble dry. While very severe etching requires a professional’s touch, you can often remove minor etching from acidic foods and cleansers yourself with a polishing powder from any old home improvement centers (just be sure to check with the marble manufacturer on which they recommend). While sealing won’t completely prevent staining, this act will help your marble resist major stains and boost its glossiness. Consult your countertop’s manufacturer for product and application recommendations specific to your marble. Use another clean, dry cloth to buff the sealer into the marble, using circular motions. If the surface has a tacky or sticky feel, continue to buff until the marble is smooth to the touch, and has a high level of shine.

How To Polish Granite and Restore That Factory Shine by countertopguides.com

However, in time, the gorgeous finish on granite will become worn, dulled and scratched. Tenax, and its purpose is to clean away the day-to-day grime that accumulates on granite. Your granite surfaces should be cleaned in this manner as needed – as often as daily and as infrequently as every few weeks, depending on the type and volume of use it gets – and this is one of the very best products on the market. It removes a small layer of granite – the layer that is dull, scratched and stained—to reveal fresh, smooth stone beneath. Most granite surfaces require polishing every five to 15 years, depending on the traffic or use they receive. If using it dry, choose a buff polishing pad to work the polish over the surface of the granite in a steady, circular pattern. When choosing which granite polishing compound to use, consider the primary color of the stone. The compound does the work, so excessive pressure should not be used during the process. Pros use it to in the fabricating shop and on the job site to produce a factory-fresh glow on granite flooring, countertops and wall panels. It contains the type of light abrasives best suited to the rich stone used to manufacture premium finished granite. Used by professionals, this stone polishing cream is suitable for use on engineered stone as well as natural granite. This will maintain the gleam while protecting the porous stone from stains. Most professionals choose a penetrating sealer because they offer the best protection for granite. It is suitable for granite, marble and other stone plus concrete too. The outcome is a still-wet loo k that glistens while enriching the colors in natural stone and resin-enhanced stone products like quartz countertops. When installed as countertops or flooring, granite provides distinction few other materials are able to. The stone must be polished to give it a new surface and restore the brilliant gleam. The type of polish focus on from this point is polish that gives the granite an entirely new surface. How often you polish your granite is completely a matter of its appearance. Of course, polished granite must then be sealed to protect it from stains and other harmful issues, and that process is covered below. When you prefer using granite polish wet, the best tool is a muslin wheel. This stone polishing compound can be used dry or wet with the tools indicated earlier. The proprietary blend of abrasives will improve the appearance of the surface immediately. Many homeowners, property owners and maintenance professionals do their own granite polishing without calling in stone pros. The right polishing powder or cream used according to the labeling produces a restored granite surface that looks like a skilled professional did the work. Our guide to sealing granite countertops is a good place to learn about the process and products required. Before applying the sealer, clean the countertops and give them plenty of time to dry to ensure the best adhesion of the product. This product offers a reliable seal and protection against stains. Two coats of this sealer are applied: one before and one after the final polish. Polish, seal and protect your granite countertops, and they’ll provide you with durable beauty for decades to come.

How To Restore Marble Countertops and Get Stains Out by tatertotsandjello.com

Get the scratches, discolorations and stains out of your marble. But with four kids of course they are going to spill on the marble. I have bought many marble cleaners trying to buff out the scratches and the spots but nothing has works. Then they took an industrial sander and sanded down the counters. After the countertops were sanded down, they buffed them to a shine again with the same machine, just with a different head. They have a contract with a hotel downtown to sand down their floors every six weeks. Don’t pour any citrus drinks over the marble – like lemonade or orange juice. There are some marble cleaners on the market that protect the marble a little from spills and you can spray those on your marble to add a little layer of protection. I just thought it might be helpful to anyone who has marble counters or floors, or someone who is considering installing marble in their home. Too much time (for the re-glossing to dry) and dust for any business. I think – and may be wrong – the problem is the perfect finish. I put some cutting boards on top of the marble in an attempt to cut down on the stains. So instead of a very fine sandpaper they used a buffer to shine them up. It took about 6 hours to sand them down and shine them up again. With honed marble tops, it is easier to keep them in good condition as they show less. How fun would these rainbow crepes by @luxeandthelady be for a birthday breakfast? Negative talk, comments that disparage others, and similar are not welcome and may be removed.

How To Polishing and Restoring Marble Countertops and Floors by yourepair.com

If you have deep gouges, chips or other damage you may be able to obtain some colored epoxy to repair the area. This will turn even light surface contamination into permanent damage. The smoother a surface is the more reflection it will cause. On the other hand waxes fill scratches and shine enhancers simply reflect light. You should remember when choosing your compounds to provide the same level of work as the surrounding areas to match the finish. Personally for anyone not doing this for a living a premade compound is best because it will take much of the thought work out of the job. There is no need to go too aggressive and cause more damage. Restoring the bright shiny look requires the same prep and polish steps performed by the technicians that made your custom marble pieces and the good thing is you can do it yourself with only a few simple tools. There are a number of suppliers online or contact your local dealer. The process of cleaning the surface before you begin polishing is very important because polishing over contaminants will often force them deeper into the surface. For larger areas such as a full countertop or section of your floor you will definitely need an electric buffer. You should contact a stone dealer for small buffing pads and your rental center should provide pads for sale with larger buffers. The difference between a wax shine and a compound shine is that a compound removes all of the fine scratches on a surface until it is completely smooth. It is the reverse of glass etching where smooth reflective glass has chemical or mechanical scratches placed in the surface to cause the light to not reflect back an results in a smokey or soft texture. If you want a highly polished surface you start with a rough compound and work to a very fine compound, removing more and more scratches. When purchasing your buffing compound you can choose from premade mixes or you can use a polishing powder that you buff with mineral water to cause a slurry. If you have never performed this work before you should start with a medium grade compound to test the results. If you are using a powder you will wet the area with a mineral water then apply the compound powder. Once you have removed the damage move to a finer compound powder to restore the finish.

Marble Repair Kit by store.countertopspecialty.com

Avoiding contact with such damaging products is the best advice, but it’s nice to know that you can restore the marble yourself with our professional marble polishing powder engineered to remove etch marks and scratches restoring the color and shine. Our marble countertop in our master bath is about 15 years old, and it’s never had anything done to it. Still a work in progress so my hope is to have the results others have. The marble care kit saved the marble counter tops in my master bath! Furthermore, it was not a warranty item, as the etching occurred after closing. With little effort and time, the bath counters look even better than before! We had a couple “stains” from cat vomit on a marble floor that was not cleaned up for a couple hours. It left etching marks that were terrible and your product within about 10-20 minutes restored it back to its beauty. I think with another application it would improve even more. The only exception is for “severe” (rough to the touch) etch marks, which typically require professional treatment. Over time you may encounter scratches or dull marks called “etching” that can occur from contact with acidic products. I used the powder, it took a couple of applications but the marble is like new again. Everything is fool-proof and definitely easy for us non-pros to use! Polished the surface and it shines much better than when it was new. My white grout is once again brilliant white instead of yellow. Even though the spill was immediately cleaned up, there was a large etch mark left behind. The company that installed the marble counter tops said there was nothing that could be done, and replacement, on my dime, was the only option. First of all, your site explained why our previous efforts to “remove the stain” with marble cleaners failed (and fortunately did no further damage). Simple and easy paste and water creating a slushy substance and just swirl and scrub into the marble and bam restored. We have emperador dark counters and there was a dull and etched spot about the size of a fifty cent piece. I know that if something happens this product will save the day! I tried a few things before buying this product but nothing worked. It took off the etching and my marble looks almost like new. The countertop had turned a dull grey and looked atrocious!

Cleaning and Polishing Marble Surfaces With Baking Soda? Stone Care Solutions by blog.stonecareonline.org

The abrasive bricks are used in progressively finer and finer grits until a hard mineral ‘reflects light’, this is what makes a polished marble shine. If you rub your finger over the etch mark and feel a soft depression or heavier texture, then you may need to gently smooth out area first with fine silicone carbide sandpaper (wet-dry) in 400 grit then 600 grit. We are looking for guest articles / blog post for our two cleaning blogs. Wet sand area with a small sanding block in circular motions until smooth, then move to 600 grit and repeat. These products can greatly enhance the look of moderately dull marble surfaces with regular use. It is recommended to use a professional marble fabricator to make repairs, as they use oxcylic acid to repolish the surface to a factory finish. If this does not give you satisfactory results, then you would need to go to the next step. I have been dealing with a family health issue, my dad has been in a nursing home after breaking his hip.

How To Make Solid Surface Countertops Shine by thisoldhouse.com

You can do this once a month to maintain the original level of gloss, but if you want a polished gleam, it will have to be refinished. But if you can’t wait that long, or don’t want to put in all that elbow grease, hire a professional countertop fabricator, who can bring the surface to a high polish. Just be prepared to pay a high price for this service, to contain the fine dust that the sanding will generate, and to hand-buff your countertops at least once a month thereafter. The bleach in them doesn’t hurt solid surfacing, but it does take five or six wipe-downs to get rid of the residue. This isn’t an easy job, but it’s usually easier and cheaper than replacing the countertop. Of course, if you’re not willing to maintain that glos sy surface, maybe you’re better off leaving it matte or semigloss.

Restoring The Shine On A Formica Countertop by thriftyfun.com

You have to start by filling in the voids (yes, some people actually cut up food directly on formica, imbedding particles of plastic in their food and ruining their counter-top and knife edges!). This also removes rust stains from porcelain, like sinks and tubs, but it won’t remove the mineral deposits. A periodic application of olive oil, buffed off, leaves a temporary, safe shine. Your options are painting it or buying new, but at least you’ve gotten lots of years out of it. Once the laminate dulls, it’s time to buy new or wait it out until you can afford a different material. I like the color, but they have gotten scratched and dull over time. Is there any way to get the original look of the counter back? When we got new countertops, the installer told us to use that periodically to protect the counters – might work for you! Replacing that original formica would ruin the piece as a collectable/antique. You should never use it to sanitize your formica countertops as it actually encourages crazing and stain deposits.