Lacquer on marble

[ccarlisle]

How do you apply a lacquer to a marble floor? Customer had part of her entrance done with that finish and asks me to complete another 250 sq ft area?

Anyone do this and are there any speicla tricks/products/equipment?

	Marble MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS This standard includes general information on the characteristics and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems associated with the material. INTRODUCTION Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite (CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed, is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds react differently with marble and produce various by-products, which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration. Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red, yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition. TYPICAL USES Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage to which marble is susceptible.

[Huligar]

Hi ccarlisle,
The customer is alway right, but some times they do not know any better. Did you give them all the options available to them?

If you must apply a lacquer to the stone floor, what brand are you going to use?

[Eric W]

Originally Posted by ccarlisle

How do you apply a lacquer to a marble floor? Customer had part of her entrance done with that finish and asks me to complete another 250 sq ft area?

Anyone do this and are there any speicla tricks/products/equipment?

Are you sure it's a lacquer?
Is it polished Marble?
Do you know why she had Marble coated?


I would not coat a Marble Floor with a Lacquer. I would recommend she remove all coatings and restore the floor. Or simply walk out. You don't want her choose turn you into a hack. (Not saying you are) but if another restoration contractor walks in behind you, one look at the floor and HE will label you as the hack.

Like Huligar always tell us, Educate before the sale


Good luck to you.

	Marble MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS This standard includes general information on the characteristics and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems associated with the material. INTRODUCTION Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite (CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed, is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds react differently with marble and produce various by-products, which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration. Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red, yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition. TYPICAL USES Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage to which marble is susceptible.

[Lou Noble]

putting laquer on a stone floor is like painting your brand new $2 million$ house purple with orange trim because you want to stand out on your block...

In this case the customer is wrong!!! dont do it!!!

[Koessler]

Hi ccarlisle, Welcome!

It would be best to share some of your skills and abilities with us. We are here to help. Lacquer finishes are a topical coating, and typically frowned upon in the Natural Stone Restoration Industry.

Can you post a picture of your application? The exact names of previous products used will help immensely. It's possible that the person who applied it wasn't familiar with it's use and application, and improperly advised the homeowner to what their options were.

We will typically lean towards a repolishing of the stone, and leave it natural. Sometimes a grind in place is needed to remove lippage.

Hopefully we can help you get things back on track. There is usually not a reason to walk from a potential prospect if you know what you're doing.

[Maurizio Bertoli]

I know quite well the way lacquer is applied to marble furniture tops.
You have to acid wash the marble surface with Muriatic acid, because the surface must be real rough. (As you all probably know, muriatic acid will not make the marble lighter as it take off the smooth polished surface.) After that, you will apply the lacquer, which, if you're lucky, will not crack, peel or blister within a few months.
That procedure is used in the furniture business to "eliminate" the sensitivity of marble to acids. It's always been the trading of a problem (with a solution) for another one (with a much more difficult solution).
The stuff scratches like crazy, and when it's time to restore it nobody knows what to do with it.
You do NOT want it on a floor!
But, somehow, I have the funny feeling that there's no lacquer anywhere on that floor, no matter what the customer says.

	Marble MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS This standard includes general information on the characteristics and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems associated with the material. INTRODUCTION Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite (CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed, is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds react differently with marble and produce various by-products, which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration. Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red, yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition. TYPICAL USES Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage to which marble is susceptible.

[ccarlisle]

Thanks guys, and welcome to Maurizio...Funny thing, I was just discussing plans with my wife this morning about taking MB's course in January...and here you are!

[Koessler]

Hi ccarlisle

What did you ever do with that floor?

[james stephens]

I just finished a complete restore of a sanded grout crema marfil that had a laquer substance on it. I razor bladed the edges and used metal bonds to cut through. I tried everything else to remove it but these were the only remedies.

I would have walked away from this or stipped the floor and done it right. I guarantee an "Ignorant Janitor" put it on, probably a carpet cleaner , because he could not get it to polish properly.

J

	grout GROUT The material used to fill in the joints between stone tile. Grout can be cement or plastic resins.

[Koessler]

Hi James

There's a lot more people than just "ignorant janitors" applying these type of products.