Using AGER To Darken Granite Countertop Edges
QUESTION:We recently had granite countertops installed in our kitchen...Santa Cecilia...The stone has a beautiful golden hue...We were disapointed to see after the installation that the edges appearr much lighter/whiter than the rest of the stone. We had read that some stones are treated with a protective agent prior to shipment and when they are cut during fabrication the true color is revealed. The fabricator should have treated the edges with an AGER product to darken them prior to the polish and seal process. Our installer did come out to the house to apply this product after the project was completed, but it was not effective. Is there a way to darken the edges after the edges have been sealed?... ANSWER:True, some stones and granite countertops are "resined" to fill imperfections and to better bind the stone prior to polishing and transport, etc.Also, a color intensifier is sometimes used. Simply polishing the stone will bring out the color making it deeper and darker by changing the way light reflects off the surface. So, a polished surface always has a deeper/darker color than the "natural" color of the granite, which can always be seen by simply looking at the underside of a granite countertop or on the non-finished side of any stone slab. But if any "enhancing" product was applied to the surface, then yes... it would need to be applied to the edges or they will be a different color than the granite countertop even after polishing. Such products like Ager are best applied prior to polishing, but there are some that can be applied to a polished surface. However, as you've surmised it becomes very difficult once a granite sealer has been applied because nothing can absorb after as designed. You could try stripping the sealer off the edges using methylene chloride. If not possible or as effective as needed, then really your only remaining option is to grind the edges a bit to expose some raw granite and start over applying the Ager first, then re-polish the edges, then re-apply the granite sealer.  Good Luck,Ryan P.S. Get all the facts and simple step-by-step solutions to any problem with our Granite & Marble Maintenance Manuals. |
