Marble Polishing:
Repair Dull & Damaged Marble

Marble polishing is a commonly misunderstood procedure. Many people hold false assumptions and have incorrect ideas about how to polish marble or how marble polishing is actually performed to create a shiny surface finish.

Well, neither is true, but not entirely false either, which requires some explanation... so keep reading!

It's not surprising there's confusion surrounding the topic of marble polishing since the term "polish" has a number of subtly different meanings in the stone industry.

Most often what is meant by "polish", "polished" or "polishing" is in reference to the finish type on marble, travertine, limestone, granite or any natural stone.

Natural stone can be "finished" with a number of different surface types, styles or looks depending on what is wanted by the buyer.

A "polished" finish is the shiny, high-gloss type of finish with the deepest color saturation commonly seen on marble and granite.

Because a polished/shiny finish is so common many people believe that all marble is supposed to be polished or shiny.

However, as noted above marble (or nearly any stone) can have a number of different finish types.

A "honed" finish is satin-smooth, but is not reflective or shiny and the colors are more muted. It's often referred to as a "matte" finish.

Other surface finishes include: tumbled, flamed, antiqued, brushed, hammered and more. Each of these has a different look, however all of them are non-reflective. Only a "polished" finish has the high-gloss, shiny surface.

It is very common for marble floors to have a honed finish since it's easier to maintain. And even though colors are more muted with a hone finish, many stone colors and patterns are more appealing with a honed finish.

A shiny polished finish will wear down with foot traffic creating dull paths and dust and dirt are seen much more easily on a polished floor.

Sometimes people buy a house with a honed floor and mistakenly think that something is wrong with it because it seems dull compared to the shiny marble seen in hotels, etc. They reason that it should be shiny or it just needs "polishing" with a marble "polish".

Marble Polishing Process

Another common myth is that the shine on marble counter tops and floor tile is achieved by applying some type of chemical or "polish". The "shine" on marble is not something that sits on top of the marble... it is part of the marble itself.

While there is one situation (etching-see below) where a chemical compound can be used to polish marble, it only works on marble that was originally polished to a shine. So, it restores a damaged shiny finish, but it does not create that shine to begin with.

The shiny polish seen on marble and other stones is achieved by high friction using special abrasives, tools and/or big machines at the factory long before it gets to a show room or customer.

A certain finish can be changed or re-finished after installation, but this requires the skill of an experienced marble repair professional... not just a wipe down with a chemical or "polish".

Thus, creating a particular finish on marble or any stone or to polish marble and make it "shiny" is not a DIY job.

However, let me explain the subtle distinction that arises with the issue of etching.

Etching

Marble is sensitive and reactive with certain types of foods, products and chemicals, which can damage the surface finish leaving dull and/or lighter-colored whitish spot often described as a "water spot", "water stain", "glass-ring", or "ghost stain".

So, if you spill acidic orange juice on marble it will corrode and essentially eliminate the shine achieved from the marble polishing process described above. Likewise, if you use the wrong products for cleaning marble you can destroy the shiny finish over the entire surface making your whole marble countertop or floor "dull".

And here's the twist about how a shiny finish is created and how marble polishing is done...

As noted above, the original finish (no matter what type) is done "at the factory" with machines. Applying some potion or chemical does not do it.

However...

Repairing Etch Marks

Once marble has been finished (say to a shiny polish) and then is damaged/etched so it is dull... well in that situation it is possible to use a DIY "marble polishing" product like the Marble Polishing / Etch Remover to restore the shine.

But this product will not take raw marble and make it shiny or "polish" it, nor is it suitable to re-finish a honed marble so it is polished and shiny.

It's easy to see why this issue creates such confusion and misunderstanding. The long and short is that whatever finish you want on your marble (shiny, flat, rough, rustic) it is originally done at the factory, by a skilled professional prior to install or as a marble repair.

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Again, a finish can be changed once installed, but that is a demanding job that requires special abrasives, tools and the skill of an experienced stone restoration professional. It's not a DIY job... not ever for the handiest of handymen.

Also, any finish type you find on marble (say in an existing home you purchase) is likely the original finish.

If it is "dull" or honed, then likely that's the way it is supposed to be and it doesn't "need polishing".

Although, it could have been etched by using the wrong marble cleaning products, but that's the only time it ever "needs" marble polishing.

Of course, if you'd rather have a shiny polished finish, then you can have a honed surface polished into a shine by a professional, but there is nothing "wrong" with the honed floor.

The typical small etch marks, however, can be easily, simply and cheaply repaired by the homeowner or do-it-yourselfer, but the method used depends on the size and severity of the etch mark(s) and the type of finish (polished, honed, etc.) on the marble.

**You'll find all the answers and a complete discussion of marble polishing and etch removal along with step-by-step instructions for all possible situations in the Removing Etch Marks e-book.

This same information along with everything else you should know about cleaning marble, protection, maintenance and the most effective solutions for all types of problems and marble cleaning issues is in the Cleaning Marble Secrets e-book.

Marble Polishing Questions & Answers

Learn even more! Click on the links below to read detailed answers to common (and unusual) marble cleaning questions.

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