Do you remember the feeling you had when you first saw your new, beautiful stone countertops? Unfortunately, now when you see them, they probably don’t evoke the same feeling. This is because they may have stains, scratches, chips, and other blemishes. Additionally, they probably have etchings all over them, making them look dull. Did you know that you can fix all the problems with your stone countertops and make them look new?
Stone countertops such as granite can be brought back to life with restoration services.
Read on to find out how to perform stone countertop restoration and start marveling at the sight of your countertops again.
Eliminate Stains from Stone Countertops
Marble and granite stone countertops are hard surfaces. However, they are porous. So, while they feel hard to the touch, water, juice, or other liquids on top of them will seep into them if they aren’t sealed. This can result in staining.
To get rid of these stains on stone countertops, you can purchase commercial cleaners designed specifically to clean granite or marble. Or you can create a paste made of water (or peroxide) and baking soda and apply it to the stain. Then, cover it with plastic, tape the plastic down to the surface, and allow it to sit for 24 hours. Repeat this process as necessary until the stain is gone.
Remove Scratches
Granite and marble countertops are quite a beauty to behold. They are an excellent accent piece in your kitchen or bathroom. Unfortunately, they can scratch easily. Some of the reasons you may have scratches on your countertops include dragging utensils across them or cutting food with sharp knives directly on the surface. Over time, these scratches can make your stone countertops look terrible.
As with stains, you can get rid of scratches on stone countertops using commercial products. First, you will need to use sandpaper to buff out the scratch. Then clean the area to remove particles. After it dries, apply a marble or granite sealer. If the thought of using sandpaper on your natural stone scares you, you can always call out a professional stone restoration company to do the job.
Fill in Chips and Cracks in Stone Countertops
When you get your stone countertops, there may be natural blemishes that you see in them. These blemishes are fissures, and they form when the stone is shaping within the earth. Fissures in stone look like cracks, but the difference is they look like they are within the structure of the stone. Cracks that you have inadvertently caused will be on the surface, and if your drag your paper or a business card across the crack, it will catch the item.
These cracks can be hairline, or they can be huge gaps in your countertops. To fix chips or cracks within your stone countertops, you’ll have to buy epoxy or acrylic that is similar in color to your marble or granite. Fill in the cracks or gaps with epoxy or acrylic, wipe away as much of the excess as possible, and let it dry. After it dries, buff out any remaining excess epoxy and apply a sealant.
Get Rid of Etching
Etching is what happens to your countertops when they develop a cloudy haze on them. These dull spots usually come from allowing acidic foods or beverages to contact the surface. Under the right light, you can tell that some parts of your countertops look perfectly normal, while the etched parts aren’t as shiny and beautiful as they once were.
To get the etching out, you will have to purchase commercial products. As with getting out scratches, you will have to do some buffing work. Start by cleaning the area and allowing it to dry. Follow up with applying a polishing powder and buffing the etched area of the stone. Next, wipe away the powder to remove the particles and apply a polishing compound. After completing these steps, your countertops should look new again.
When to Call the Professionals
Although you can maintain your countertops with these helpful tips, sometimes it’s not enough. Professional stone restoration services can help bring them back to life with their specialized technique and equipment. Restore-A-Floor in Brighton is a Michigan business that has been reviving countertops, stone floors, and tiles for nearly 20 years with great success.
We offer grout cleaning, tile cleaning, color sealing, stain proofing and minor grout and tile repairs to restore your flooring and countertops back to their original beauty. Contact our stone restoration specialists for a Free Estimate and we will present you with multiple options to suit most any budget.