Stains on Black Galaxy Granite
by Marcy
QUESTION:Hi, I had black galaxy granite installed in my wet bar. After one family event, there were glass ring "etched" stains all over the counter. What can I do to repair? They will not come off with anything. My bar is ruined now!ANSWER:First, some background info on Black Galaxy just FYI. Black Galaxy granite is very stain resistant. It is quite possibly the most bullet-proof surface on the market.Most liquids/substances will evaporate before they'd ever stain. In fact, Black Galaxy typically cannot be sealed. Sealer just won't absorb. With marble you will get glass rings from etching, but granite does not etch. So, it isn't the stone itself that is the problem. One of three things (or possibly a combo) is causing the "etching." Possible problems: 1. The granite has been resined 2. A sealer was erroneously applied 3. The granite has been "doctored" "Resining" is done to fill small natural voids, etc. prior to polishing and is a perfectly acceptable practice, but it sometimes can cause problems with sealers, etc. Applying a sealer to a stone that cannot absorb it will often result in a streaky/hazy film left on top. You may not get the streaks, if the sealer was wiped off the granite adequately, but the sealer residue inevitably left on the granite is sometime sensitive to acids like in alcoholic drinks, fruits, sodas, coffee, etc. "Doctored" granite is a problem with black granites. A black paint or polish is applied to cheaper gray granites to make them more black and more expensive. This is usually a problem with absolute black and not so much with black galaxy. Doctored granite will etch and show "glass-rings" just like marble. A fourth possibility is that you don't have Black Galaxy, but a dog stone that contains calcite (a mineral reactive with acids and possibly prone to staining, but I doubt this is it). Here's what you need to do: Get some methylene chloride... a potent and noxious solvent. Won't hurt your granite, but it will take off whatever is on top and along with the finish off cabinets and walls and anything else, so be careful and have good ventilation. On a small area over a glass-ring, pour out a little methylene chloride. Let is soak for a bit, then agitate/scrub the area with a soft-bristle brush. Wipe completely dry. Notice any difference in the surface color? If yes, you have doctored granite. That is fraud and you have a legal issue with the warehouse/company that sold it. If no color change, is the glass-ring gone? If yes, then there was probably sealer on the surface that is causing these reactions. You may want to use the methylene on this spot a couple times. Then spill some lemon juice on the same spot. Let it sit for a few minutes and wipe up. Any spot? There shouldn't be. Spill lemon juice on another spot that wasn't cleaned. Any spot? I should leave a spot, an etch mark like the glass-rings, so.... If yes, then you have your answer. There is something on the granite that needs to come off. If the methylene chloride reveals a bright shiny black galaxy that doesn't etch, then repeat the process to clean the whole surface. If the color changes, then I'd go back to the installer and demand a new countertop. Hopefully they will correct it. If not, you should contact a lawyer to send a letter,etc. to motivate them. Be sure to test the new slab prior to installation. The situation sucks. Hope this helps. Good Luck, Ryan P.S. Get all the facts, answers, explanations and simple solutions with step-by-step instructions for any problem or question with our Granite & Marble Maintenance Manuals.  I highly recommend MB Stone Care Products to maintain all your marble, stone and granite countertops and floors in optimal condition. I've used other good products (Stone Tech, Miracle) but found MB Stone Care is the most reliable and effective.
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