Polishing Black Marble
QUESTION:Once you have removed scratches and etching, what do you use to give the marble that high gloss, glass look?ANSWER:Marble polishing is a confusing issue that is usually misunderstood.Most people think that the "high-gloss glass look" is achieved by rubbing some product or compound on the marble. This is not true. What you are asking is equivalent to asking "what product do I use to make my mirror reflective?" Well, everyone knows that glass is made into a mirror that is shiny and reflective. You can spray windex on a piece of glass all you want, but you'll never turn it into a highly reflective mirror. It's the same with marble and stone. The shiny polished "finish" on marble is part of the marble itself... not from applying a "polish". The shine is achieved via a polishing process (much like sanding wood smooth) on big machines or by skilled and experienced professionals using special abrasives and tools. Here's more in-depth info on our marble polishing page. The long and short is that marble can be finished with a number of different surface types. The shiny reflective "polished" finish is but one. It's very common so people often think that all marble is supposed to be shiny and if it isn't it just needs polishing with a product. No... if marble is not shiny it is either meant to be that way (a honed, tumbled, hammered, etc. finish) or it has been damaged by using the wrong cleaning products and must be professionally restored to a shiny finish (if that is what you want). So, if your black marble currently has a matte and non-reflective surface (most likely a honed finish), then you'll have to call in a pro to re-finish the surface to a "polished" surface. There are products like the Topical Polish/Shine Enhancer that can be applied to a polished/shiny finish to enhance the shine, but it won't create the high-gloss glass look you desire. Good Luck, Ryan P.S. Get all the facts, answers, explanations and simple solutions with step-by-step instructions for any issue, problem or question with our Granite & Marble Maintenance Manuals. Polishing & Cleaning Black Marble Tile
by Theresa
QUESTION:Marble color - Black, Marble color-Gray: Black marble is stained with food acids such as mustard, etc... from catering...... Some black marble is very dull needs polishing. Gray marble is dull need polishing. I also would like a maintenance program for marble tile.Thanks, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena ANSWER:Theresa, the marble in question has been etched from the acidic foods as you suspect. This is a different issue than "staining," although you may have stains too.If the etch marks are not too rough (severe damage) then you can repair them and get the shine and color back with the ETCH REMOVER / Marble polishing paste. It's easy to use. If large areas of the marble (whole countertops, floors) are dull, then professional restoration may be required. For a marble maintenance program: Our marble maintenance manual Cleaning Marble Secrets will teach you everything you need to know to properly protect, clean and maintain your marble. It includes step-by-step instruction for all procedures and includes simple solutions for just about any problem you could encounter (including etching & staining of course), marble safe products, etc. Good Luck, Ryan Re-Polishing Black Marble Counter Top
by Renee Shmuel
QUESTION:I have accidentally set a pot with an acidic material on the bottom of the pot on the black marble counter top in the kitchen we are renting in Israel. Now I have a ring from the pot onto the marble and some of the finish is gone. What to do without having to replace the whole countertop??ANSWER:Usually, if the shiny finish is removed that means the acid has eaten into the marble. It's a corrosive process called "etching". If the etching is severe (rough to the touch) you'll probably need to hire a professional stone restorer to re-polish the area.However, severe etching is rare, so you should be able to restore the color and shine just fine using the Marble Polish / Etch Remover designed just for this problem. If the marble is honed (a matte, non-reflective surface), then the etch remover can't be used and you'll have to follow the simple instructions in the Removing Etch Marks e-book or call a pro. Polishing Marble Tile Dull Spots
by Clara Wagner
QUESTION:I have a dark marble tile kitchen countertop, which has water stains from bottles which took the shine off. The countertop has been sealed with a marble sealer. How can I restore the shine on my tiles again. Your suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.ANSWER:Clara, the "water stains" aren't actually stains and they aren't from water, but they do look like that and that's what most people call them or... "glass-rings," "water spots."The dull spots are caused by corrosion of the marble surface from contact with acidic foods/drinks (coffee, soda, juice, wine) and harsh alkaline cleaning products (most common household cleaners will damage marble). It's called "etching." A stain occurs when something is absorbed into the marble causing a darker spot. Etching eats away a bit of the marble which destroys the shiny surface layer creating a dull and sometimes lighter spot or ring. Not to worry though... etching can be repaired and the shine/color restored using a good compound like SCP- Marble Polishing Paste. Very easy to use and far cheaper marble maintenance than professional restoration! Unfortunately, it's available only in the US, so ask your local stone warehouse or fabricator for a similar product locally. In the future, you need to use coasters, trivets, mats, etc., to avoid contact with acids. Sealing has nothing to do with etching. Completely different issues. Sealing protects against absorption/staining. Avoiding contact with acids and using ONLY cleaning products specifically for marble is the only way to protect against etching. Good Luck, Ryan |
