How to polish marble? (counter tops)
- Thread starter efnfast
- Start date
SoCalB6 said:
My basic research has shown me that you should be able to use a regular automotive polish because marble is a polyester resin, but unfortunately I've got no test pieces available, so I'd have to gamble, which I'd rather not do unless I were 110% confident it'd work.
LeadingEdgeDetail
New member
efnfast said:
Uhh.. am I missing something?
Isn't marble a STONE?
Sounds pretty hard to me
-edit-
Looks like it is possible with a Rotary OR a D/A polisher, but D/A will need agressive pad and LOTS of pressure and time...
StumpyDetailing said:Uhh.. am I missing something?
Isn't marble a STONE?
Sounds pretty hard to me
-edit-
Looks like it is possible with a Rotary OR a D/A polisher, but D/A will need agressive pad and LOTS of pressure and time...
My understanding is most marble in bathrooms is cultured marble, which is a man-made substance and has properties similar to fiberglass. (i.e., so it's not actual stone)
tom p.
Active member
Stone IS hard. Marble is at the soft end of the scale.
I've played around with this on our granite counters and haven't really been able to improve the appearance much. I'm sure the polishing equipment used at their production facilities would be hard to replicate in the home. I agree that a lot of time would be required to make an impact. Also, all the pores in the material tend to trap/retain the polishing material...
I've played around with this on our granite counters and haven't really been able to improve the appearance much. I'm sure the polishing equipment used at their production facilities would be hard to replicate in the home. I agree that a lot of time would be required to make an impact. Also, all the pores in the material tend to trap/retain the polishing material...
JustinN1_C5
New member
I would becareful with cultured marble - its not stone
I found this with a google search (sorry the long post)
bCARE, CLEANING AND REPAIR
OF CULTURED MARBLE, ONYX & GRANITE
All cultured marble, onyx and granite products have a gel coat finish that provides a non-porous, stain resistant surface.
Proper care will ensure lasting beauty, elegance and function. Normal cleaning requires soap or a mild detergent. Dow and Lysol bathroom cleaners work well. Other products may be used, but be sure to read the label to ensure the product is safe to use.
Do Not Use Scouring or Abrasive Cleaners. Repeated use will dull the gel coat finish.
Due to their non-porous nature, cultured marble products resist most stains. However, extended exposure to harsh chemicals such as ammonia or bleach should be avoided because they may cause discoloration. Products such as nail polish, polish remover, paint remover, etc. may cause permanent damage.
Occasional treatment with a high quality liquid or paste wax will renew the finish and prevent soap buildup. Avoid colored waxes. Gel Gloss cleaner and polish is designed for cultured marble products and is available at hardware stores, building supply stores and American Marble.
Minor stains and scratches may be removed using 1200 grit wet sandpaper with a small sanding block followed by a good polish. Be cautious not to oversand through the gel coat, which will result in a permanent dull spot.
Avoid extended or frequent exposure to extremely high temperature water. Household hot water heaters should be set in the normal range of 120 degrees F. A separate cast iron or porcelain bowl will allow for a bowl change if it should become damaged.
How To Repair Cultured Marble & Onyx
Caution: Repairing cultured marble/onyx requires experience. We cannot guarantee satisfactory results.
1. Patching a hole is similar to filling a tooth. Use samples to practice before attempting on the finished product.
2. Area should be clean and dry.
3. Scrape or dig out area to be filled with a razor blade knife.
4. Put 1 1/2 ounces of gel coat in paper cup.
5. Add 10 drops of catalyst.
6. Add 1/8 teaspoon (a pinch) of Titanium (white powder) and mix for four minutes. Be sure that all the lumps are dissolved.
7. Place mixture in hole using a toothpick. Fill slightly over the hole leaving a small mound around hole. This will allow for shrinkage.
8. Let dry for at least four hours. Overnight is better.
9. When patch is dry, sand with 1200 grit wet/dry sandpaper using water and a small sanding block. Do not oversand. Oversanding will damage the finish.
10. Buff area with buffing compound to polish.
11. Liquid cleaners and Gel Gloss cleaner and polish will protect the product well. Do not use abrasive cleaners.
I found this with a google search (sorry the long post)
bCARE, CLEANING AND REPAIR
OF CULTURED MARBLE, ONYX & GRANITE
All cultured marble, onyx and granite products have a gel coat finish that provides a non-porous, stain resistant surface.
Proper care will ensure lasting beauty, elegance and function. Normal cleaning requires soap or a mild detergent. Dow and Lysol bathroom cleaners work well. Other products may be used, but be sure to read the label to ensure the product is safe to use.
Do Not Use Scouring or Abrasive Cleaners. Repeated use will dull the gel coat finish.
Due to their non-porous nature, cultured marble products resist most stains. However, extended exposure to harsh chemicals such as ammonia or bleach should be avoided because they may cause discoloration. Products such as nail polish, polish remover, paint remover, etc. may cause permanent damage.
Occasional treatment with a high quality liquid or paste wax will renew the finish and prevent soap buildup. Avoid colored waxes. Gel Gloss cleaner and polish is designed for cultured marble products and is available at hardware stores, building supply stores and American Marble.
Minor stains and scratches may be removed using 1200 grit wet sandpaper with a small sanding block followed by a good polish. Be cautious not to oversand through the gel coat, which will result in a permanent dull spot.
Avoid extended or frequent exposure to extremely high temperature water. Household hot water heaters should be set in the normal range of 120 degrees F. A separate cast iron or porcelain bowl will allow for a bowl change if it should become damaged.
How To Repair Cultured Marble & Onyx
Caution: Repairing cultured marble/onyx requires experience. We cannot guarantee satisfactory results.
1. Patching a hole is similar to filling a tooth. Use samples to practice before attempting on the finished product.
2. Area should be clean and dry.
3. Scrape or dig out area to be filled with a razor blade knife.
4. Put 1 1/2 ounces of gel coat in paper cup.
5. Add 10 drops of catalyst.
6. Add 1/8 teaspoon (a pinch) of Titanium (white powder) and mix for four minutes. Be sure that all the lumps are dissolved.
7. Place mixture in hole using a toothpick. Fill slightly over the hole leaving a small mound around hole. This will allow for shrinkage.
8. Let dry for at least four hours. Overnight is better.
9. When patch is dry, sand with 1200 grit wet/dry sandpaper using water and a small sanding block. Do not oversand. Oversanding will damage the finish.
10. Buff area with buffing compound to polish.
11. Liquid cleaners and Gel Gloss cleaner and polish will protect the product well. Do not use abrasive cleaners.
Accumulator
Well-known member
JustinN1_C5 said:
Maybe that Google article meant "cultured granite" or something, but *regular* granite isn't always coated/sealed. Spilchy and I both have unsealed granite countertops (and in my case, also unsealed granite floors).
Yeah, AFAIK polishing (real) marble and granite takes specialty products used wet, via rotaries with special pads, and it's supposedly a big, and messy, job. When I had a countertop piece repolished ("sorry, that's not good enough...redo it") they had to take it bak to the shop and spend a lot of time on it. No way would they do the work on-site even though it didn't seem like it oughta be a big deal to me.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
"In layman's terms, cultured marble is a mixture of fiberglass resin and crushed limestone."
Who'd a thunk it? I figured it was like cultured pearl and they grew those countertops in a giant oyster left over from one of those 60's Japanese sci-fi flicks.
Who'd a thunk it? I figured it was like cultured pearl and they grew those countertops in a giant oyster left over from one of those 60's Japanese sci-fi flicks.
Accumulator said:
I would definately believe real marble and granite need a rotary, but not cultured.
My granite is ~15yrs old, and looks as good as new - a few chips here and there, but when the sun shines on it I don't see any defects. It's also not sealed.
However, the (cultured) marble is also 15yrs old, and looks dull and scratches and swirls all over the place ... it's subjected to 100x less daily stress than the granite, yet looks absolutely horrible.
my simple analysis shows me that I'd agree real stone needs a rotary and specialized tools, but I don't think tha tapplies to cultured marble.
I'm going to try to buy a 2sq. ft piece today to practice on and see
tom p.
Active member
Guys, search on the term "granite polishing" on Google, etc. Lots and lots of material for your enjoyment!
YouTube - Granite Polishing
YouTube - Granite Polishing
LeadingEdgeDetail
New member
FWIW, I got a test piece of cultured marble.
With a cyclo
green/extreme cut removed the heavier swirls
green/machine polish shined it up nice and shiney
Definite noticeable difference when held in the sun, as there's nomore swirls/rids/scratches on it anymore.
So cultured marble can be polished, even with just a cyclo and regualr automotive polishes/compounds.
I wonder if one could use a regular automotive wax on it, like 845?
With a cyclo
green/extreme cut removed the heavier swirls
green/machine polish shined it up nice and shiney
Definite noticeable difference when held in the sun, as there's nomore swirls/rids/scratches on it anymore.
So cultured marble can be polished, even with just a cyclo and regualr automotive polishes/compounds.
I wonder if one could use a regular automotive wax on it, like 845?
Marble is going to be softer than the alumina/silica abrasives found in automotive polishes. The bigger issue with automotive polishes is pH, which could cause etching.
I'd try some Kit scratch out, which is pretty mild stuff and very fine. Turtle Wax White Polishing Compound (in the green tubs) would be another possibility. I'd make sure to keep the polish wet, because the stone dust that you create could be able to scuff the surface.
I'd try some Kit scratch out, which is pretty mild stuff and very fine. Turtle Wax White Polishing Compound (in the green tubs) would be another possibility. I'd make sure to keep the polish wet, because the stone dust that you create could be able to scuff the surface.
Accumulator
Well-known member
efnfast- Hey, that worke well.
I need to check out the links to the polishing of (real) granite some time..but I'm not sure I want to tackle any of *mine* after just watching somebody else do it over the internet..this is something I'd sure hate to botch up.
I need to check out the links to the polishing of (real) granite some time..but I'm not sure I want to tackle any of *mine* after just watching somebody else do it over the internet..this is something I'd sure hate to botch up.
Accumulator
Well-known member
efnfast said:
Uh-oh...maybe I'll hold off on checking those out. I tend to, uhm, accumulate equipment fast enough as it is
My fabricator told me not to use automotive products on marble or granite. It will not shine like it is supposed to and it is not made to protect your granite like a granite wax/sealer. Make sure to follow the instructions on the products you purchase it may have different instructions and a warning label. Our counter has been installed for almost 5 years and still looking good as new. Always consult your fabricator before using any products.