Re-Crystallization vs. Standard Marble Polishing

by Susan
(Phoenix, AZ)

QUESTION:

Are you familiar with the process of marbleizing/crystallizing marble? They've used it in Florida and Italy for over 20 years and it's fabulous. I had white marble in my kitchen in Florida (not something I would have considered on my own for the obvious reasons). They apply a chemical that bonds with the marble and creates a lustrous to shiny surface that is easily renewed. If acid gets on the marble and marks it, you just buff on more chemical and voila, it's new again! I have no idea why other places don't use it.

ANSWER:

Susan,

I can appreciate that you think it is "fabulous" probably because it makes the marble shiny, but more people don't do it (and most pros don't like it) because crystallization creates problems not found with standard re-polishing. It's just an inferior method.

Here's why:

Crystallization can ruin your marble, it takes longer and costs more without ANY benefit over standard re-finishing.

The people that have it done simply don't know any better (no reason they or you should of course) and get sold by the sales pitch which seems fine and dandy.

Yes, I know it's been around for a while and it will make your marble nice and shiny. But it also creates a hard chemical shell on top of your marble trapping acids (used in the process) in the marble and also keeping the marble from breathing properly which could lead to your marble simply falling apart.

There are also problems with formula compatibility. Example: You have your floor crystallized then a couple three years later when this chemical crust that isn't as durable as marble starts to look crappy you have it crystallized again only the first guy who did it is out of business or not available so you go with someone else who uses a different formula.

Well... his formula may not work with the first formula and the crust will have to be removed (grinding it away just like standard re-polishing) before the new formula can be applied.

There are proponents out there and the sales literature makes it seem like it's the latest greatest thing, but the main reason they like it is because it requires very little experience or knowledge of marble.

So, it's easier to perform, but if they screw it up your marble may be toast. This will NEVER happen with standard re-polishing. You can always fix a mistake with re-polishing, you never change the chemical or physical nature of the stone and it makes it nice and shiny too.

Also, if you etch a normally re-finished marble... all you need to do is to properly apply a marble polish like MB-11 and viola... it is gone... all shiny again.

If my arguments aren't enough to dissuade you from doing it again in your new home, then consider that no factory in the world uses crystallization as a method to "polish" the stone. They all use standard grinding and friction to make the marble shiny. It's simply the best way.

Standard re-finishing/re-polishing provides "like new" results without any of the risks and problems associated with crystallization.

There are plenty of stories and myths floating around about marble that are just bogus. It's unfortunate for consumers because it's only natural to think that anyone selling or installing marble ought to know what's right, but they often don't.

That's why I've written a comprehensive marble maintenance manual to debunk the myths and to teach consumers how to clean and maintain their marble the right way.

If you are interested in learning more about simple solutions, what you should and shouldn't do, etc. then check out Cleaning Marble Secrets.

Regards,
Ryan