how to polish granite countertops at home

As the years go by, you may notice some areas of your countertop are not as shiny as the day it was installed, or discover superficial scratches on the surface. Cover with plastic wrap, and seal on all sides with masking tape. Tenax Protex sealer offers outstanding protection against oil, juice, wine, water and other potential stain producers. For tips from our Household co-author on how to preserve your granite over time, keep reading! Theres no clear choice here professionals are divided on the issue of which is better. Using a power polisher comes with some risks, particularly if you arent adept with these devices. Keep in mind that there are many techniques for polishing and restoring granite countertops. Tenax is a leader in the stone-care industry and this polish is highly rated by users. Professionals use specialty tools and either wet or dry polishing techniques on the granite. Both types have their proponents. Investing in this tool means you will use less elbow greasean important consideration, especially if you are going to live with the granite for many years. You can find a number of effective types of granite polish at a home improvement or big box store. While accidents in the kitchen may not always be avoided, its certainly possible to take preventive measures to protect your stone and keep it looking new. Try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or Resolve Spray and Clean. Your newly polished granite must, of course, then be re-sealed to protect it from stains and other harmful issues. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Granite is an igneous rock, which is cut from the mountains around the world. It depends on what the stain is. Strong acids left for prolonged periods on the countertop can also etch the superficial layers of the stone, leaving it looking dull. This will also help to protect your knives and keep them sharp. If you purchase a polish or polish mix, such as Stone Pro Pro Shine, follow the manufacturers directions for application and buffing. Dry polishing using a buffer polisher can certainly be a DIY option for an experienced homeowner or landlord, however, consider that this is considered an advanced level of DIY project and irreversible damage to the countertop is possible. Dry polishing is used in cases where the stone is in serious need of repair, but cant be detached and transported to fabricators facility for work. Wet polishing is a professional grade polishing technique used to treat more severe countertop damage, whether it be deep cuts, harsh etching, or staining. Starting with the smallest grit number, usually 50 grit pad, work your way up to the highest number polishing pad, usually 3000 grit pad. Your granite countertops should retain their beauty for decades as long as you give them proper care. The first stage of polishing takes place before the stone even leaves the quarry. By Angela Warren / August 23, 2019, By Kyle Murray / December 10, 2019, By Kyle Murray / August 02, 2017. This will maintain the sheen while protecting porous stone from stains. This is a top choice both for maintenance and tough restoration projects. Always clean the countertops before you start polishing to get rid of any spills or stains. Consult with a professional before you attempt to power polish on your own. Try enhancing the color of the stone, for that you can useDuPont StoneTech Enhancer Pro Sealer. Hope that helps! Tenax granite polishing powder is mixed with water. Let sit for a few minutes before wiping off. It removes a small layer of granite; the layer that is dull, scratched and/or stained; to reveal fresh, smooth, gleaming stone beneath. Having them installed was a significant investment, so seeing them dull and scratched can be discouraging. Granite polish is not expensive, particularly when you make your own. How often you re-polish your granite is completely a matter of its appearance. If using it dry, choose a buff polishing pad to work the polish over the surface of the granite in a steady, circular pattern. I would test it on an area that's out of sight first. While purchasing polishing pads, confirm that they are for dry polishing as wet polishing pads will wear out very quickly. Every article is thoroughly fact-checked by members of our editorial team. The compound does the work, so excessive pressure should not be used during the process. For dry polishing, you will also require specialized polishing pads. Two coats of this sealer are applied; one before and one after polishing. The streaks should come off. It seals the stone while brightening the interesting color variation hues found in it. Im definitely planning on doing that. If it is lighter than medium brown or has predominantly light highlights, then use the Dia-Glo Light. Going Granite relies on Dia-Glo Stone Polishing Compound for use both on new granite in our workshop and factory (located at 812 S. Tejon Street in Colorado Springs, CO) and on older flooring and countertops in our clients homes and businesses. How do I remove stains from my granite counter tops? Jessica at TriNova. If you use a general polish that contains too much acid, you can permanently damage your countertops. Marble.coms expert writers are committed to delivering content that adheres to high editorial standards. Granite countertops look luxurious when they are shiny and new! Let sit for 24 hours, then remove and clean the paste off. Use a granite cleaner and a soft sponge or cloth to clean the surface. Only through time and trial and error will you discover which type of polish works best for you. You can clean and polish the granite if the countertop needs to be resealed, however, its best to act promptly to avoid any damage. Is one better than the other? Its also extremely hard, withstands scalding heat with ease and requires little maintenance. 4400 S Kildare Ave We have a zero-tolerance policy for unethical practices Micro-scratches form when the granite experiences a sudden change in temperature. This article has been viewed 497,574 times. Not to worry, this is usually easily fixable with a regular routine of cleaning, sealing and polishing that you can do yourself. Ager Tiger Color Enhancing Stone Sealer is a resin-based product that does wonders for the color of granite, marble and slate. Polished granite is easier to maintain, its less prone to stains and is designated for high traffic areas. What can I do? Fortunately, with a little know-how and the right products, you can polish granite and restore its natural beauty and shine. Contrary to what many may think that glossy surface isn't the result of any sort of gloss coating or treatment. It is ideal for putting a bright factory shine on new countertops or restoring the gleam to countertops that have been in place for a number of years. Granite Polishing Cream: Most granite cream polish is designed specifically for countertops. This granite polishing cream is an excellent choice for the entire spectrum of granite hues from light to nearly black. Then, dry the area with a microfiber cloth. Powder granite polish can be used dry or wet, so it is more versatile. Everyday granite cleaners are great for cleaning up these messes. We value your time, and our goal is to create the best work possible and have you enjoying it as possible. Using a cutting board will eliminate this possibility and protect your knives. Drying the countertop thoroughly prevents streaking. You can also purchase a retail granite cleaner from the store and follow the instructions on the packaging to apply it. Even if you have just sealed your countertop, its good to get into a habit of cleaning up your messes. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Experts also note that the dullness of your granite may simply be from soap buildup. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub with water. This is typically done using a wet polishing technique, where a technician will use a progressive grit of diamond pads to work on the stone surface under a constant flow of water. When that is done, use a damp cloth and warm water to remove any polish that remains. After all the steps have been completed, its crucial to thoroughly clean and seal the countertop. Its two-in-one formula is designed to bring out and deepen the color of granite, as well as other natural stone, while simultaneously providing a professional-grade seal. Jun 17, 2018 at 12:44pm, | For some, any stone polishing might be considered a last resort, and for those there are last abrasive stone restoration options. Granite polishes come in both wet and dry varieties. If using granite polishing powder wet, the best tool is a muslin wheel. Spreading the product evenly over clean countertops is a must for best results. If you want to move things along more quickly, you can adopt the professional method and use a power polisher. This job requires more effort, but you can use a DIY method to reapply as welljust be sure to carefully follow the recommended steps. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Accurate sourcing and objective When it comes time to get the job done, our fabrication and installation teams have the equipment and expertise it takes to get your project cut and delivered the right way, every time. After youve finished polishing, wipe the countertop with a damp cloth to avoid a streaky finish. These occurrences are very common. I used lemon juice to clean the residue off windows successfully. Baking soda is also great for removing stubborn stains from granite. In under thirty minutes, you can protect your stone for 6 months or more. By using our site, you agree to our. MrStone.comsMakita Buffer Polisheris a great solution for dry polishing needs, offering variable speeds you are sure to achieve the level of polish you desire. Both techniques are effective. You can safely make your own granite polish using ingredients you may already have at home. This option is seldomly recommended by even the most seasoned professionals in the stone care industry: its extremely messy and should not be performed in the house. One of the top products in this category is MB-20 Stone Granite Polishing Cream. If you feel proficient with power tools, using an electric polisher will make quick work of this task. Granite has become a common material used in residential design, after the process of extracting and transporting the stone became streamlined. It is suitable for granite, marble and most other stone surfaces as well. https://marble.com/articles/how-to-polish-your-granite-countertops-at-home On bathroom vanity tops, avoid placing makeup and nail polish directly onto the stone. Thanks for the tips on how to make my own polish too. When the granite slab is fabricated for a job, the second round of polishing takes place at the fabricators facilities. Some products may need to be left on overnight in order to remove tough stains. Dia-Glo is made in two separate formulas, Dia-Glo Stone Polishing Compound for Dark Granite and Polishing Compound for Light Granite plus an additional variation for use on marble. This product offers both a reliable seal and protection against stains. Once you have purchased the powder, the first step is to clean and seal off the damaged area before application. Granite is among the most versatile and widely used naturals stones in residential and commercial projects. I found some other articles online that helped too: Dry granite polishing powder costs less than paste. Often your granite will be sealed for the first time upon installation and its the owners responsibility to seal it thereafter. The process of sealing countertops is fast and easy. However, after reading these suggestions I understand now how to properly put it on my counter and make it shine again! These techniques are only recommended for professionals to use, as they can cause irreversible damage if they are done incorrectly. Use another fresh cloth to buff the counters. Once the paste is ready, spread it across the countertop with a clean, soft cloth, working in circular motions to buff the surface. Avoid products that contain lemon, vinegar, lime, ammonia, bleach, or glass cleaners, as these chemicals can break down the sealant and damage the granite over time. Granite is the most popular natural stone countertop material and its important to examine its benefits and potential drawbacks when selecting it for your home. I have removed oil stains from granite by making a mixture of cornstarch with a small amount of pure acetone (just enough to make a paste). On the other hand, dry powder may be more successful at removing superficial scratches. Then buff the countertops with either a baking soda paste or a retail granite cleaner to get a nice, polished look. To ensure your investment in a granite countertop is well protected, granite fabricators recommend taking preventive measures to help to minimize any potential future problems. Most granite surfaces require remedial polishing every five to 15 years, depending on the traffic or use they receive. Whether using a dry or wet application method, its important to use instructions provided by the manufacturer as different products will come with their own set of directions. Dull spots might also become an inevitable reality. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. *By completing this form you're signing up to receive our emails and can unsubscribe at any time. I bought some polish for my granite kitchen counter top and wasnt sure how to properly apply it. Dont attempt to polish a granite countertop yourself using power tools or harsh abrasives, as its very easy to accidentally cause damage. If you are using a retail granite polish, read the manufacturers directions carefully first and always follow all of the instructions. Damages to the very top layers of granite can are treated with common remedies, however, deeper damages will require you to seek the help of stone restoration professionals. In addition to daily wipe-downs after meal preparation, you need to thoroughly clean them regularly and polish them when they start to lose their shine. The polishing powder used to treat light scratches, stains, and etching. Spills should also be cleaned up as soon as they occur. Jan 15, 2019 at 6:28pm, | If you clean and polish your granite countertops and they remain dull and scratched, you may need to apply a fresh layer of sealant. Its first extracted in large blocks and those blocks are later sliced into slabs. Surfaces are buffed with felt pads while the polish restores the gleam. remember, if you buy a polish, it must be granite-safe. Before applying this sealer, clean the countertops and give them plenty of time to dry to ensure the best adhesion. Any thoughts on using diamond pads vs polishing paste? However, if a small section of the countertop can be removed and transported to the fabrication facility, its likely wet polishing will be performed. That's the natural stone, just very finely honed and polished to a mirror-like finish. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Whats the name of a good p whats the name of a good pun plush??? Be aware that each product varies slightly. Last Updated: September 16, 2021 Two Tenax Ager products are excellent on granite that has a dull appearance or when you want to bring out the rich, varied highlights in stone. Chicago, IL 60632 We also use this product at Going Granite. https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-polish-a-granite-countertop Call Going Granite at 719.439.7077 if youd like advise or a free, no obligation cost quote for any of you natural stone remediation projects! Keep your countertops protected by cleaning up spills immediately and using heat-resistant mats. Use vinegar and baking soda. In this case, 90% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Will water seep into the granite and ruin it? Polishing your Marble should fix your problem. Tenax Ager Color Enhancing Stone Sealer is a more affordable option, and it is formulated for most natural stone products. Then take a dry, soft cloth and thoroughly dry the countertops. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Polish-Granite-Counter-Tops-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Polish-Granite-Counter-Tops-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Polish-Granite-Counter-Tops-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid21936-v4-728px-Polish-Granite-Counter-Tops-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"