Marble Countertop Restoration
Marble Restoration Professionals
Are you thinking about restoring your marble countertop? The process might not be what you think, check out what we do to restore your countertop depending on what kind of damage and finish you need. Before starting on a Marble Countertop Restoration, these are the first steps in order to prepare for the restoration process.
Evaluation
Before starting the restoration process, we thoroughly examine the countertop to evaluate the condition it is in. We look at for physical damage like scratches, chips, cracks, grout lines, stains and other damage like etching. This will allow us to not only give you the cost of the job, but also the time frame, and what steps of the restoration process are necessary.
Protection
When it is time to begin restoring the marble countertop, we prepare the area by taping around the border and laying down a protective tarp on the floor around the counter. We also completely cover the sink and stove and make sure they are fully protected.
Restoration Process
Unsure of what the restoration process looks like for your marble countertop? Natural stone can be "fixed" through the restoration process where your countertop is honed, similar to sanding down, refinished, and then sealed.
Remove damage
The first step in the restoration process is to remove any physical or chemical damage.
Cracks and chips are repaired first by filling them with epoxy or an appropriate compound.
Stains are then addressed depending on the type of stain it is. First, a stain cleaner is applied to remove the stain, if this does not remove the stain, a stronger stain remover is applied and left for 24 hours. This remover is applied and we return the next day to check on the progress. Normally one application is sufficient, but if needed we will apply it a second time if necessary. Keep in mind that this will add time to the restoration process and this area of the countertop cannot be used during this part of the process as well.
Scratches and etching are removed last. Depending on how deep they are, we decide which diamond grit to use and we stop once the scratches and etchings are removed. Most scratches and etchings are on the surface and only millimeters deep.
Finish
Once all damage has been repaired and removed, the process of finishing the stone begins. The stone is honed, similar to sanding wood but instead of sandpaper, diamond pads are used during the honing process. Water is applied constantly to lubricate the stone during this process this also helps prevents dust. This is not a loud process. Depending on the desired finish, different levels of grits are used to smooth the stone and then add reflection, lower grits for matte, then satin, and finally the highest levels for a high-gloss finish. Once the finish is complete, we clean the countertop and once it is dry, the sealer is applied.
Sealer
The last step is sealing the stone, and this step should not be left out. This step is crucial for protecting your stone because it keeps the liquids from penetrating the stone and thus creating a stain. We seal every stone we work on, which should be done every two to three years to best protect your stone.
Make sure to leave your marble countertop alone for 24 hours before you use it again after the restoration process so as to let the sealer penetrate the stone well and not damage the stone.