Need Help with New Stone

Carmela · 03-26-2008, 01:29 AM

Hope someone can help with my confusion. Just purchased and installed new marble.
When I viewed sample it was a fairly high shine piece of stone. Very even and consistent in shine. Stone that we purchased was low shine with many dull spots and dull swirls (I assume now that these are factory grind marks and etching?) I originally thought the stone was just dirty and would clean up after install. oops!! Have found out differently. This shipment of marble had a lot of sparkle and swirls rather than veining. More of a quartz look. It's beautiful even with the inconsistent low shine. Questions are:

1) Will honing powder applied to these dull spots bring more consistent shine to the stone or does the honing powder actually remove the shine??
I guess I'm confused as to the correct definition of "honing".

2) if honing powder is not the answer - is there anything on the market that can bring even a little shine to the dull spots before sealing?

I actually think the inconsistency of this stone's finish is what makes it really look appealing and natural, and I'm only trying to lessen the dull spots where the light is shining very brightly and where they really stand out, but I do think the retailer was a little surprised that we accepted the shipment as it was since it wasn't like the sample piece. I hope we didn't make a mistake doing this!!! I guess it's too late now since it's installed.

Thank you so much in advance for any advice you can give.

Carmela

hoboal · 03-26-2008, 01:45 AM

Carmela, You came to the right place and welcome... If you would please take some pictures of you floor and post'em here so the members of the NRSA can help you.

Hobo

glenn k · 03-26-2008, 08:38 AM

Carmela,

The honing powder will make a flat look. there is no shine. So, I do not recommend it. What you need is a polishing compund.

It comes in powder or paste form. Either way, you need to add water to make a slurry before polishing with a pad and machine.

There are many things to consider. and you may need a professional to do the work. If you only polish the dull areas, they may get too high a shine. Thus creating an uneven look.

Pictures and/or name of the stone helps alot too. Since every stone reacts differently to polishing agents; such as serpentines and carreras.

Hope to hear from you soon and welcome!

Carmela · 03-26-2008, 11:31 AM

Hi Glenn - This marble is referred to as "snow white" for color. My receipt doesn't show name, manufacturer or anything else. I'm going to call the place we purchased at today and get more info. I'll try to get some pictures. It actually looks more like Thassos stone, but it wasn't as expenseive and not as pure white. I do know they took the sample off the floor after we bought it since they said the shipments obviously didn't look like the sample and other customers might not be as happy about that as we were.
Thanks for your help!

Stoneseller · 03-26-2008, 11:45 AM

Is this marble in the form of floor tiles or slabs?

Carmela · 03-26-2008, 10:23 PM

marble is in the form of 12 inch tiles

glenn k · 03-27-2008, 12:47 PM

carmela,

pix would very helpful. i also had a question if u have experience with a low-speed floor machine. u may need to use this for ure repair.

if not, and u decide to have a professional restoration company do work, at least u will know the process and what to expect.

glenn k

Stoneseller · 03-27-2008, 01:37 PM

Carmela,

Unfortunately, poorly polished surfaces are fairly common in 12 x 12 tiles. The automated machines in the factory don't have eyes, and human intervention to maintain high quality standards is often absent.
It's a shame the problem was not noticed prior to installation.
In my opinion, you need a polishing powder with some oxalic acid added, or a 5x powder, to pop a nice shine on a less a than perfect hone job. It can be done pretty safely by someone with experience, but could turn into a mess if done wrong.
A mild polishing powder, simple aluminum oxide or tin oxide without any acid, could do some improvement. There are literally hundred of countertop shops in the DC Metro area. You should be able to buy a small amount of polishing powder from almost any of them, if you wish to attempt this yourself.
Pictures would be most helpful.

Huligar · 03-27-2008, 04:27 PM

I will hold all my comments until I see images of this floor. stoneseller just gave a few options, but none of them should be undertaken by the home owner. You should contact your local NSRA member.