Honed Marble Countertop Polishing

by David
(Viginia Beach, VA)

QUESTION:

Can honed finished marble countertops be polished so that it looks glossy/shiny? I've tried many marble polishes without success.

ANSWER:

Yes, matte finished or honed marble countertops can be polished, but it will require the work of a professional with special abrasives.

The shine doesn't come from a bottle. It is a process similar (but requiring much more skill) to sanding a piece of rough wood to a silky smooth finish.

You always start with rough or raw marble. Then you continue to work or "finish" the surface with ever finer abrasives.

You can stop anywhere in this process depending on how rough or smooth or shiny you want the surface to be and there are variations of technique and procedures to achieve different looks like tumbled or flamed, etc.

A matte or "honed" surface is basically achieved by stopping the process right before the marble polishing step that turns the counter top surface glossy.

Typically marble finishing is done at the factory when the marble slabs are run through a big machine that grinds down and polishes the marble.

But if a marble countertop or tile is honed or tumbled when installed, you'll have to hire a marble maintenance pro to re-finish and "polish" the surface into a shine.

Now, you'll see some products on the market name "marble polish". In this case it is used in the same way as a "shoe polish." It's more of a topical coating that if enough is applied, you can buff it to a bit of a shine.

Confusing I know, but in reality none of these products will work to polish marble into a shine from a honed or matter surface finish.

However, there are products like SCP: Marble Polishing Paste that will make a dull etch mark on a previously polished marble shiny again.

This is a special case where the marble is already polished, but the surface layer has been slightly damaged by an acidic substance which destroys the very thin shiny layer making the spot look dull compared with the rest of the surface.

So, in this case the Marble Polishing Paste is effective because it basically mimics on a small scale the final step in marble polishing.

And you could use this paste for polishing marble that is honed, but you'd likely end up with an uneven finish. Like I said... marble polishing takes considerable skill, knowledge and experience to do well on a large scale.

But a DIYer can easily fix up small spots of etching with the paste.

Marble Polishing of Matte Finished Vanity Top

by Mary
(Shelton, CT)

QUESTION:

I wanted a polished marble vanity top and picked one out, but was given one with a matte finish instead. The counter top is already installed. Is it possible to polish marble vanity tops once already installed or am I stuck with the honed marble countertop surface?

ANSWER:

Marble polishing after installation is certainly possible, but it will cost you, since you'll need to hire a marble cleaning and restoration professional.

But it may be easier to just remove the original and replace it with a polished marble vanity that you ordered in the first place.

Of course, if it was the installers error then they should correct it in the manner you choose at no additional cost.

But if you ordered the marble vanity top separately and then had someone install it, you'll have to pay for the marble polishing to get the shiny, glossy look you desire.

Restoring Etched Honed Marble Benchtops

by kerry
(Melbourne)

QUESTION:

I have had my beautiful honed marble benchtop, white with grey streaks, for a few weeks now.

Although I am a "Benchtop Nazi", I have still managed to see the odd etching..dots and glass ring...on the top. This depends on the light.

I have tried the old methods of bi-carb soda etc. What can I use to clean this? Thank you, Kerry

ANSWER:

Marble etching starts immediately upon contact with acidic foods, drinks and other substances like harsh cleaning products (which are nearly all common household cleaners brand-name or generic).

So, if you spill orange juice on the honed marble and wipe it up within 15 seconds, it could still etch the marble leaving a more dull spot.

For polished or shiny marble you can use a marble polishing paste, but for a honed marble benchtop you don't want to "polish" it.

So, you'll need to either call in a marble maintenance professional or follow the DIY method detailed in the Removing Etch Marks e-book.

The DIY solution is easy and cheap, but depending on the size of the etch mark (the smaller the better) you may not get as good of finish or blend with the surrounding marble countertop.

On marble flooring it would not matter since the wear of foot traffic, etc. will cause the spot to blend quickly.

The bi-carb soda thing is for stains... not for marble etching, which is why it didn't work.

Good Luck!
Ryan