Sealing Uba Tuba Granite
by Randy Condon
QUESTION:We sealed a portion of our newly installed Uba Tuba granite countertop with 511 impregnator.It left streaks and hazing in some areas which we are unable to get off. Should we re-apply or strip it off? Does this granite even need to be sealed? Should we just use a polish alone without attempting to seal? Any guidance would be appreciated. Randy ANSWER:Randy, typically Uba Tuba granite is very dense and doesn't need... in fact, won't take a sealer... it just won't absorb and dries on top leaving the streaky haze you have.Except granite is a natural stone. Meaning each granite variety and even each slab can show different characteristics.... like how fast or much liquid it will absorb.... and if it can or needs to be sealed... or not. Thus, while Uba Tuba most often does not need sealing it is possible and in fact, some ubatuba granite countertops will take a granite sealer. With every stone you should perform the water test for sealing granite countertops. No need to guess or trust someone's opinion whether or not your exact slab of granite needs sealing. The test will give you definitive information so you don't end up with a hazy countertop when a sealer should not have been applied. You'll also get the streaks if you don't apply a sealer properly. The common mistake is failing to wipe off the excess sealer before it dries even on a countertop that definitely needs sealing. For some reason it is often stated by stone "professionals" to let a sealer dry on the surface. This is 100% wrong and the exact opposite of what you should do. You may not have any trouble letting a sealer dry on a very porous stone because it will all absorb before drying. But it isn't the right way to do it. Removing sealer before it dries is a very important step to avoid the steaky mess you now have. Removing Uba Tuba Granite StreaksFirst, I'd re-apply the sealer and use a soft-bristle brush to work the liquid sealer into the dried sealer and see if you can get the dried sealer to dissolve back into liquid. Then, wipe off all the granite sealer before it dries. You won't know if you are successful until you get the countertop dry, so maybe do a test on a small area first and see if this will work. If not.... Strip the granite sealer off with methylene chloride. This will not be fun since this solvent has potent fumes.... so ventilate to the max and don't get it on cabinets, etc. Most likely your Uba Tuba didn't need sealing. Hopefully the first method will work... you can count yourself lucky and forget about sealing it ever again. If you do have to strip it, then after you get it all off water test the granite to see whether or not it needs sealing. Remember, Uba Tuba granite usually (not always) doesn't, but you may not have applied it properly the first time vs. it just wouldn't absorb. For cleaning ubatuba granite just use hot water and/or a recommended Granite Countertop & Marble Cleaning spray.  Good Luck,Ryan P.S. Get all the facts and simple step-by-step solutions to any problem with our Granite & Marble Maintenance Manuals.
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