Buffing Marble to a brilliant shine. Help!

G35stilez · 05-03-06, 12:03

Liz and I are moving into a new (to us) place which belonged to her late grandmother. We are completely rennovating the apartment from floors to ceilings, but the bathrooms are all marble (floors, counters, shower).

They are the white type with black spots

Not actual, just reference.

The color is a bit stained and very dull. For both bathrooms we just got an estimate of $3400 to "refinish" it. I said, "HELL NO!"

I don't mind doing this myself, but I don't know where to start or how to treat this porous surface.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!

Chubs · 05-03-06, 12:27

Check out the fine home building site. They have a forum that might help. I know you can buff it out I"m just not sure what type of compound they use. My neighbor has a remodeling business, I'll ask him to see what he recommends.
Here's another thought, some of it might be soap scum. Try using a steamer on the tiles, this should remove what ever is on top then you can see what your really working with.
I know I've wetsanded and buff my countertops with great success, by just using the usual compounds and polishes that we use on cars.

hope this helps,
Chubs

zippymbr · 05-03-06, 12:29

You can rent the buffer and pads and get the cleaning supplies and polishes at a janitorial supply place. Most supply places are very helpful and can tell you what stuff works best and how to use it. Takes awhile to get used to a floor polisher but you are good with tools so it should not be that hard.

Rollman · 05-03-06, 02:23

Post some pics of actual tile if you can .

G35stilez · 05-03-06, 03:06

Thanks for the help thus far!

I will try steam this weekend.

Heres a few shots that Liz took:

As you can imagine, it's bothering us quite a bit.

SVECobraR · 05-03-06, 03:32

Oxi Clean!!!!! Ha

GearHead_1 · 05-03-06, 04:02

I would think that the shower pan is cultured marble. That said it's essentially marble dust in resin. Products that work well on a gel coat would probably work well on cultured marble.

AL-53 · 05-03-06, 05:33

I talked to a friend of mine that does marble work...He said you need a marble compound and then a polish...one brand he mentioned was called Stone Medic..but there are others...

He said go to a marble center or mason supply house and see what they have...also to get best results he reccomends the diamond polishing disks..they are 4" and velcro backed...but they need water as a lube..

they come in variuos grits from 50 to 3000..they range from $60-100 a set...get the better quality for best results...you need 2500-3000 rpm's for a polisher and make sure you use a ground fault or you will have a new hair dew..lol...

He said use any APC to clean surface of scum and oils ..They use one by Zep...try 50/50 ratio first..if not working go 100%..

Hope this helps
AL

fogot something else....for stains try hydrogen peroxide...20% formula...do on a test area first to see if it changes tile color