Restoring Dingy Carrara Marble Slab
by Kirsonis
QUESTION:I'm thinking of using a used carrera slab for kitchen peninsula top. The cabinets are white and I fear that it will look bad. Is there any way to sand and get rid of the discolorations and then polish and hone. We are pretty handy and stone is still outside so we dont care about mess.ANSWER:Yes, marble can always be restored by grinding down any stained or damaged marble and then honing or polishing.Not really a job for a handyman though. It isn't as easy as sanding down a piece of wood, etc. It requires quite a bit of experience and skill to do an acceptable job especially if you want a shiny polish. Plus you need some stone specific abrasives, tools, etc. and know how to use them effectively. Even pros can sometimes make a mistake and have to start over or re-do a step or two. Now, if the grime and any stains are near the surface so you don't have much marble to remove and you are okay with a very rough honed surface, then you may be able to do the job yourself sanding with metal sandpaper. The other issue to consider is that marble will easily etch (get dull and discolored) upon contact with acidic foods and drinks. It's simply impossible to stop this in a kitchen. Sealing will not prevent it. This is the main reason marble is typically not recommended for a kitchen countertop... it just present more maintenance issues than granite. You may find the Cleaning Marble Secrets Guide helpful. This guide covers everything you need to know for protecting marble, cleaning marble, marble maintenance and DIY solutions for stains, etching, scratches, burns, etc. 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. |
