Granite Seam Repair

glenn k · 05-23-2008, 03:41 AM

On many occasions, I have come across these similar problems with homeowners, contractors, and distributors. It is usally a simple problem that could be corrected. But without the knowledge and technique, it usually ends up a bigger problem than started.

In the pictures listed, a bad installation resulted with uneven seams. The contractor had three (3) different people work on it. One used the wrong diamond pads and worked dry which cause a lot of dust. Another tried sandpaper which created an uneven surface on both sides. And the last tried using wax, similar to shoe polish which only rubs off.

Advanced Stone Restoration, me, came in and fixed the problem. Using the correct diamond pads wet, to control dust and flatten the area. Areas where polished out, seams were flattened and color matched, and impregnating sealer was applied.

When all hope was lost, just know that how badly your granite tops might get, they are always repairable.

dave wilson · 05-23-2008, 06:00 AM

nice work, good save.

kiwirobfin · 05-23-2008, 06:40 AM

That looks good glenn what stone was it ?

Topshop · 05-23-2008, 11:30 AM

Looks like emerald pearl.

Great save glenn

Why in the world would the fabricator put a seam at an angle like that at the sink?

cheesedog · 05-27-2008, 10:18 PM

that sure is a wierd seam, great save. this is usually why i end up working on seams too. i come in and pick up where the other guy left off, its always some greasy wave, feels good to fix it and make it look like it should.

glenn k · 06-05-2008, 10:40 AM

dave/kiwi,

its a save, but i still think that the other seam looks out of place. thanks anyway.

topshop,

didn't have time or get paid to work on color matching the other seam (at a weird angle). But the reason for that seam being there, is because previously there was a crack in front of the sink (more on the right side of the pic). They didn't have anyone to fix the crack at that time, so they cut out that area, and glues in that piece. there is a matching seam on the other side. :P yes it's emerald pearl.

cheesedog,

talking about greasy wave. the previous persons that worked on it, they used wax to try and cover-up. when i had to grind, it kept clogging up my diamonds. i had to use a broken chopstick and toothbrush to clean out my pads later.

beleive it or not i just got called back today to fix their absolute black vanities in the bathrooms. once again they tried to have workers take out scratches, but they only left swirl and grind marks with a grey finish. i regrinded and applied the uniblack 1. i am going back in tomorrow to polish up. But this stone is weird, it does not seem to be absorbing the uniblack 1 well. I applied it after 500g.

this job just keeps getting weird. today, i also saw two chinese workers that are trying to darken/polish black porcelain tiles on the floor. they were using 800 grit dry pads with handheld machine. but they precoated the floor with WD-40. their final step was to use Simple green to buff off. ?????? i wish i could help the contractor on this one, but he know that i don't touch ES.

thanks guys,

glenn k

Topshop · 06-05-2008, 11:57 AM

Wow, What a nightmare. If I was the guy in charge I would be removing it all and getting my money back. What a comedy of errors. Now I understand why you want a good installer there. Even a mediocre installer could look like a star on a job like that.

glenn k · 06-05-2008, 12:20 PM

Now you see why I wanted to learn more about the installation side when I was at the last class. The problem is that they bought the pre-fabs directly froma distibutor from China. The installers are not all to blame though. some of the slabs were warped, so when the stone was set, the seams were not level.

The first emerald pearls i worked on, had little color loss. But others had a lot. I found out later that it was due to two different orders.

The absolute black vanities in the bathrooms are from a window company. hmmm. These slabs were not true absolute blacks, since there were white specks in them and lots of grey areas. These were acceptable by the inspectors after construction, but not the scratches which were from the contractors workers. These are the ones that I'll be working on.

So the next few days I get to work on absolute blacks and shower walls at two other jobsites. What fun.

cheesedog · 06-05-2008, 01:31 PM

i dont think i would be confortable working on a job like that, sounds like a bizzare situation. sounds like youre taking care of it though. can you even staind porcelain, its pretty much non absorbant. i have honed and polished porcelain though, that was wierd though. jobs like that i ask for periodic payment, at the end of each day.

glenn k · 06-05-2008, 10:54 PM

porcelain, like ceramic can be etched. the most common etching is from toilet ring remover. luckily, i am not working on the ES (porcelain), only the natural tone (absolute black). the GC just asked me what i thought about their process of polishing the porcelain. it seemed to far fletched that they would be using WD-40 then removing it later with Simple Green with an 800grit dry pad.