Stonecare Central Blog

Quick Guide to Marble Repair, Cleaning, and Polishing for Homeowners

2024-10-17T15:40:00-05:00

Marble is a stunning, luxurious material that adds elegance to any space, but it requires proper care and maintenance to keep it looking its best. Whether you're dealing with scratches, etching, or dullness, addressing these issues promptly can help maintain and/or restore your marble to its original luster. Below are key tips on marble repair, cleaning, and polishing based on the most frequently asked questions.

1. How to Remove Scratches and Etches from Marble

One of the most common problems homeowners face with marble is scratching and etching. Etching happens when acidic substances (like lemon juice or vinegar) react with the marble, leaving dull spots or marks. The solution to this is using polishing powders or compounds designed to address etches without damaging the marble surface. Products like Majestic Marble Polishing Compound or Majestic Etch Remover are excellent choices for fixing these spots. These powders or compounds gently polish away the damage and restore the marble's shine.

To remove deeper scratches or etches, the Majestic Stone Honing Powder (available in various grit sizes) can help. It is ideal for mild scratch patterns and deeper etches, providing a uniform, smooth finish prior to polishing (use of powder or compound).

2. Polishing Marble to Restore Shine like a Professional

Over time, marble can lose its gloss due to wear and tear. Restoring the shine involves using polishing powders like the Majestic 5X Gold Polishing Powder or the Majestic Diabrite 10X. These commercial-grade polishing abrasives are typically used with special equipment.

For operators who have the special slow speed equipment required for polishing operations and looking to maintain a high gloss, Diamond Impregnated Pads (DIPs or PLPs) are another fantastic tool. These pads are used with both floor machines and hand tools to help refine the surface in process that incorporates microscopic diamonds to smooth out and ultimately polish. Regular use will keep marble surfaces looking new for longer.

3. Routine Marble Cleaning

To keep marble in pristine condition, regular cleaning is crucial. Avoid harsh, acidic cleaners that could damage the stone. Instead, use pH-neutral cleaners like the Majestic No-Rinse Neutral Cleaner, which is perfect for both daily and deep cleaning. This type of cleaner ensures the surface remains residue-free without damaging the finish. It is used by large commercial buildings as well as homeowners and is available in concentrate and RTU versions.

4. Preventing Damage and Stains

Preventing damage is just as important as fixing it. Sealing your marble surfaces with a high-quality impregnating stone sealer will help protect them from spills and stains. Additionally, using coasters, mats, cutting boards, and trivets can prevent scratches from utensils or appliances, preserving the stone's integrity.

Final Thoughts

By incorporating these tips into your regular maintenance routine, you can ensure that your marble surfaces remain beautiful for years to come. Whether you're polishing, repairing, or cleaning, using the right products and techniques will help maintain the luxurious look that only marble can provide.

For more detailed product recommendations and tutorials, visit SCCPro or Stonecare Central.

Majestic Non-Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner: The Safe Choice for Natural Stone Floors

2024-10-08T15:47:01-05:00

When it comes to cleaning toilets, the last thing you want is a product that damages your floors in the process. Many homeowners and professionals have faced this dilemma, especially when dealing with delicate natural stone surfaces like marble, travertine, and limestone. Enter Majestic Non-Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner—a powerful yet gentle solution that ensures cleanliness without compromising your beautiful stone floors. Why Choose Majestic Non-Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner? Acid-based cleaners, though effective at removing stains and odors, pose a serious risk to natural stone surfaces. Spillage or splashes from these cleaners can etch and dull the finish of stone floors, causing costly damage over time. Majestic Non-Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner, on the other hand, is formulated to be safe for use around calcite-based stones, offering a perfect balance between performance and safety. Here are some key reasons to make the switch: 1. Safe for Marble, Limestone, and Travertine If your toilets sit on or near natural stone surfaces, you no longer need to worry about spillage. Majestic Non-Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner is designed to clean effectively without the risks associated with harsh acids. It’s specifically formulated to avoid etching or dulling the beauty of marble, limestone, and travertine. 2. Efficient Cleaning and Deodorizing Though non-acidic, this cleaner doesn’t compromise on power. It effectively removes stains and odors from toilet bowls and urinals, leaving them fresh and clean. You can now ensure a hygienic environment without worrying about the impact on your floors. 3. Easy to Use Majestic Non-Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner is simple to apply and works in just a few minutes: For Toilet Bowls: Add 4 ounces of the cleaner to the bowl, swab with a brush, let it stand for 5 minutes, and flush. For Urinals: Apply 2 ounces to the bowl brush, scrub thoroughly, allow it to sit for 5 minutes, then flush. This ease of use makes it ideal for both residential and commercial settings, ensuring that you achieve top-notch cleaning results without the hassle. Available Sizes for Convenience Majestic Non-Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner is available in convenient quart sizes, with cases containing 12 quarts. This makes it a great choice for both homeowners looking for long-term use and businesses that need larger quantities for regular cleaning tasks. Conclusion When choosing a toilet bowl cleaner for natural stone settings, Majestic Non-Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner is the best option. Not only does it protect your floors, but it also ensures your toilets and urinals stay fresh and clean. Say goodbye to the worry of damaging your marble, travertine, or limestone floors, and hello to safe, efficient cleaning.

Caring for your Marble, Granite and other Natural Stone

2019-10-30T13:11:00-05:00

There are certain products to avoid around marble, limestone, onyx, terrazzo, and other calcium-based materials. Acids are one of marble’s biggest enemies. When I say acids, that can mean many common products like orange juice, lemon, cola, milk, tomato, mustard, vinegar, and much of everything we consume. Of course, strong alkalines, such as highly ammoniated window cleaners or oven cleaners, can also be detrimental to certain materials too. And as expected, these blemishes usually must be honed and re-polished by a professional.

We know what is harmful to marble and other calcium based stones but even certain granites can be harmed by some chemicals. I have seen where a tomato was left on a black granite countertop for an extended period which resulted in a bleached effect. Black granite is not a true granite. It is more than likely a basalt, anorthosite, gabbro, or similar black igneous material. In any case, these stones can be subject to certain chemical attack, albeit not normally as sensitive as calcium-based materials like marble would be.

Strong alkalines (like floor finish strippers) can sometimes draw out the natural oils in certain stones like slate and other similar materials. This would leave them very dry and chalky looking. This can normally be rectified with the use of color enhancers or topical acrylic sealers.

Bug sprays can actually be acidic in solution. Re-polishing areas that were sprayed or over sprayed with pesticides may sometimes be necessary. Just be aware of this as I have seen this several times this year.

So let’s go over some of the “Don’ts” to start, so we can hopefully avoid many of these issues in the first place. First and foremost, never use products that are not specifically made for use on natural stone, including vinegar and abrasive cleaning powders. You would think that this would be a fairly easy rule to follow. Unfortunately, this is probably one of the biggest causes for acid etching and alkaline burns, on natural stone surfaces.

There is also a problem with many homeowner targeted topical coatings, which are being misapplied to natural stone surfaces. Mop & Glo, Rejuvenate, and other similarly labeled products should not normally be used on marble, granite and most all natural stone. Restoration contractors have to remove these bothersome coatings first, before they can restore the surface to its natural and intended beauty. This ends up costing you more, as additional steps are required.

I am usually not a fan of topical coatings, but there are certain applications where a sacrificial surface is necessary. Concrete and terrazzo guards are used sparingly to help protect these surfaces from acidic spills and heavy traffic wear. Make sure if you are going to apply a topical coating on any stone or masonry surface to follow the directions implicitly. Normally, multiple thin applications are better than overly thick ones. If you are applying an acrylic, urethane, or epoxy and you leave application marks, dust, bubbles, or any other imperfections in the coating, sometimes you are basically stuck. Many of these products can only be efficiently removed by grinding. If you have a slate or textured stone, grinding is not applicable so chemical removal is the only option.

Now let’s discuss some “dos”. Maybe we can alleviate some potential issues by prescribing proper maintenance procedures.

When the need arises for certain products that may be in question, say like a toilet bowl cleaner (which is normally an acidic product), use one like the Majestic Toilet Bowl Cleaner which is non-acidic.

Use either Majestic No-Rinse Neutral Cleaner or Majestic Stone Plus (has a great scent) for routine cleaning of all natural stone surfaces. Both of these products are pH neutral and great for all surfaces that are safe for water (even on mirrors). Every homeowner should have either the Majestic No-Rinse Neutral Cleaner or the Stone Plus for their natural stone.

Majestic Stone Soap is recommended for honed and textured surfaces. Stone Soap cleans and conditions while keeping colors bright and rendering the stone more stain resistant from spills.

Use of correct maintenance products is a must but also the use of cutting boards and coasters is essential. This will help with preventing scratching, etching, and water spots (mineral deposits). Of course it goes without say that all spills should be wiped up as soon as possible. If an occasional light etch occurs, Majestic Etch Remover can be used effectively to re-polish the area in most cases.

Grease and oil can be a problem with most any natural stone surface in a kitchen environment. Use of Majestic Low Odor Solvent Based Impregnating Sealer periodically will definitely help to prevent staining from these contaminants. If the counter top is no longer beading water sufficiently, it is safe to wipe it down with the Low Odor Impregnator again. Just remember, it is easier to prevent staining than to remove it.

If a color or gloss enhancing product is required, contact Stonecare Central for expert technical advice.

As always, I recommend submitting a test area to confirm the results and the procedure prior to starting general application. Also a great way to help ensure success with difficult projects is to partnering with a good stone restoration professional that is knowledgeable and experienced. They can help with diagnosis, product purchase decisions, logistics, and other pertinent project information. Oh, and use your smartphone to take pics to aid in dealing with technical questions.

Preventive Maintenance for Hard Surfaces

2019-09-26T09:58:00-05:00

Preventative Maintenance for Hard Surfaces

In today's blog article let's briefly discuss the maintenance procedures for natural stone, terrazzo, ceramic tile, and polished concrete. These simple easy to follow procedures are the most important part of caring for and extending the life of most any hard surface. Spend a little, save a lot.

How to maintain these surfaces is basically the same with a few exceptions. Polished surfaces will normally show wear faster than honed or textured surfaces. That is because the polished surfaces are not naturally occurring in nature, they are strictly man induced. Whereas, honed and textured surfaces are much closer to naturally occurring finishes.

Foot traffic abrasion (wear) can be equated to between a 200 grit and 400 grit (like sandpaper) level. A polished surface is normally far in excess of an 1800 grit (very fine) level. So foot traffic will naturally tend to hone down or dull a polished surface. Improper maintenance will contribute to an increased need for re-polishing as well.

The rate at which polished surfaces are abraded is increased in sandy areas like beach fronts and deserts. Think east coast, west coast, Nevada, Texas, and you get the point. Foot traffic carries the sand and soil in, abrading the polished surfaces prematurely. Darker materials show the wear faster just like a dark colored car shows dirt and imperfections faster than a lighter colored car. Softer stones also wear at faster rates than do harder stones. Think marble verses granite.

So to extend the life of polished surfaces, dust mopping or vacuuming is essential. The idea here is that keeping sand and grit off the floor will help extend the life of a polished surface. This of course, reduces overall maintenance costs by reducing the frequency of having to re-polish traffic lanes.

Walk-off mats and systems are also excellent ways to help prevent sand, dirt, and grit from being tracked in and off the flooring surface. It is said that a good walk-off system can eliminate 80% or more of the outside contaminants from being walked in.

Remember, it is better to invest in implementing a proactive maintenance program than to spend later on restoration. Therefore let’s look at a standard maintenance cycle for floors:

Routine

Dust mop or vacuum – as often as required to reduce soiling, and grit contamination.
Damp mop with either Majestic Stone Soap or No-Rinse Neutral Cleaner. Majestic Stone Soap tends to work better on materials like honed marble, limestone, textured granite and slate, polished terrazzo, and polished concrete. Majestic No-Rinse Neutral Cleaner with optical brighteners typically works better on polished and darker colored materials.

Quarterly (or as required based on traffic wear and degree of soiling)

Clean grout lines (on stone applications) using a Majestic Deep Cleaning Stripper Degreaser and a non-abrasive scrub brush. This is also helpful for textured stones like flamed granite and slate.
For polished surfaces evaluate and re-polish traffic lanes. For marble, limestone, onyx, and terrazzo, use either Majestic 5X Gold or Majestic Marble Polishing Compound to restore the natural polish (this may be best used by a restoration maintenance/professional). Pivot points and bottlenecks wear the fastest and require the most polish maintenance. Use Majestic Etch Remover to re-polish blemishes on marble and similar surface countertops.
Evaluate and assess wear patterns. Determine if light honing is necessary before polishing or to refresh hones surfaces (definitely requires the use of a restoration/maintenance professional). Use of diamonds maybe necessary to achieve the desired clarity (flat and scratch-free surface). Feathering out with successive finer grits is typically used, depending on severity of lippage. Polish after honing per normal quarterly routine. Once dry, now is the time to reseal/impregnate if the surface no longer beads water satisfactorily.

Annually

There is no doubt that a quality proactive maintenance system requires investment. However, the reactive approach is certainly much more costly. It also takes more dedication to maintain hard surfaces properly.

When floors are cleaned, mop buckets must be refreshed with new solution about every 500 to 1000 square feet to avoid redistribution of soiling. Mops and pads must be replaced periodically as they become worn and soiled. They are consumables after all.

Of course there are many products for different applications like countertops and vertical surfaces. Specific products for specific applications like mold or mildew removal, stain removal, soap scum removal, and anti-slip products. Contact the Customer Support at Stonecare Central with any questions regarding maintenance you might have. With over 100 years of combined experience, the customer support team can assist you with advice, confirmation of a plan, and the correct product for most any application regarding stone, ceramic tile, decorative concrete, or masonry installations you may have.

How To Remove An Etch And Polish Your Marble At Home

2018-08-16T09:50:00-05:00

What can you do, as a homeowner, to keep your marble countertops in pristine condition? With Majestic Etch Remover, you can re-polish your marble with ease. And in most cases, without the use of special tools, you will be able to achieve a beautiful shine on your stone surfaces, keeping them looking like new.

Majestic Marble Etch Remover is a special blend of polishing compounds formulated to remove light etching and water stains from polished marble, travertine and limestone. It is both easy and cost effective. Check out our video for a step by step visual guide to see how easy this process can be to do at home.

Do's And Don'ts Of Marble Care

2018-07-26T10:58:00-05:00

Why do restoration professionals get so many calls regarding spills of the wrong product or scratches inadvertently caused by some other repair or attempted repair? It happens all of the time. Really, all they can do is to say thank you because you are providing them with the business.

How many maids or homeowners have been using vinegar to remove minerals from their black marble shower, only to have the polish dulled because of repeated exposure to mild etching over a period of time? I have seen this very issue so many times, over a 30 year time span, I can’t count them.

For this article I will cover one such case. A cleaning company came in to an upscale home with the task of cleaning the marble and porcelain shower stall. The specific objective was to remove mildew from the grout lines on the stall’s vertical surfaces.

Now because this particular cleaning company really had no clue as to how to properly complete this task or what appropriate products to use, the following disaster ensued. It all started when they used a lime-away acid product, to remove the mold from the grout lines on the shower stall walls. They actually should’ve used a chlorinated type product designed specifically for mold stain removal from natural stone.

Luckily, I can say that the majority of the field surface in the shower was a polished porcelain tile which was basically impervious to the acid. The tumbled marble basket weave, which was used as a horizontal accent tile, did not however, fair so well. As you can imagine, this fairly strong acid deeply etched these marble pieces.

So how much did this snafu cost to remedy? Try about $1500 to refinish the marble and clean the grout correctly. The grout on the shower walls was cleaned first using the appropriate Majestic Mildew Stain Remover and a gentle nylon scrub brush. Because the ceiling was 12’, a step ladder and a brush on a telescoping handle were used to assist the technician with reaching all the way to the top. This particular shower has a glass door so tight that if the exhaust fan was not always used, the humidity would have no place to escape, and this contributed to the excessive mold growth, in the first place. Always try to squeegee the shower stall down after use and ensure the exhaust fan is running.

Just remember Benjamin Franklin’s saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

At Stonecare Central, we have everything you need for your natural stone, ceramic tile, terrazzo, or decorative concrete maintenance needs. Please don’t try to use off the shelf products that are not specifically designed for these surfaces as you will inevitably have avoidable mistakes that will need expensive repair.

Marble Countertop Maintenance

2018-06-21T13:02:00-05:00

Marble Countertop Maintenance

With marble, French Limestone, onyx, and other calcium based stones becoming very popular for countertops, vanities, and vertical surfaces, the need for a comprehensive maintenance program is imperative.

Calcium based materials are very chemically sensitive. Of course because they are also much softer on the Mohs Hardness scale, they scratch more easily as well. Knife steel is about a 6.5 on the hardness scale and marble is between 3-4. Therefore by choosing one of these materials for a kitchen countertop or any other preparation surface, bathroom vanity, or shower, it becomes inevitable that restoration will eventually become necessary. In fact, periodic surface restoration will necessarily be routine if the surface is to be maintained, especially if polished.

Polished and higher honed surfaces will require the highest maintenance. This is because they will show etching and scratching the most. Low honed surfaces show fewer chemical and mechanical attacks. Of course the reason that polished and high hone surfaces are chosen is because they better show the colors of the stone. Also, shiny is what many customers associate marble with.

Customers choose marble and limestone because it is very ornate or “chic”. Fabricators sell it because they sell what the customers want. Many times customers become baffled or even angry by the quick deterioration of the surface due to the first tomato that is cut or orange juice that is spilled. Virtually every food and drink we consume has a pH value in the acidic range, along with products used in the bathroom as well. That, in combination with cutting, produces etches and scratches on the delicate surface. Showers tend to collect mineral deposits and soap scum around faucets.

That is where the restoration professional comes in to diagnose, fix, and prescribe the proper care and maintenance for the problem. Repairing the surface can be the easy part. Educating the customer to help them avoid or certainly delay the same problems from reoccurring as quickly is the hard part. The customer should be taught that spilled beverages need to be wiped up as soon as possible and the use of a good cutting board should be implemented. Showers should have a squeegee mounted in a handy location and it should be used routinely to help avoid buildup of conditioner and soap scum.

Use of a premium oleophobic impregnating sealer is highly advised on all natural stone, especially on honed surfaces. This will help retard the penetration of all foreign liquid contaminants. Grease, oil, and even acidic spills will be repelled (but not stopped 100%). Impregnators will not stop acid etching completely but can keep them close to the surface for easier repairs later. The surface should be re-impregnated when the surface no longer causes water to bead satisfactorily. I personally like the newer Majestic Low Odor Solvent Based Impregnator, as it is easy to work with and doesn’t produce offensive fumes.

Maintenance should be conducted with either Majestic No-Rinse Neutral Cleaner, Stone Soap, Stone Plus, or Conditioning Treatment and Polish. Of course it depends on whether the finish is honed or polished.

For polished surfaces, I recommend the Majestic No-Rinse Neutral Cleaner or Majestic Stone Plus. They can be purchased in a RTU (ready-to-use) formula or in concentrate. Both of these products are safe for all hard surfaces that water can be used on such as marble, limestone, onyx, glass, granite, quartz, etc.I suggest keeping them in a spray bottle, for easy routine use.

Use of the Majestic Conditioning Treatment & Polish will give some shine to dulled countertops and vanities while providing additional protection. It will not repair the polish, just simply enhance it.

Now for some light restoration procedures you can do at home. If the surface is honed, use of a 3” diameter 200 grit to 400 grit diamond impregnated pad should be sufficient for removing light etching and scratching. Simply start with the 200 grit pad and some water (wet sanding) and work the area for a minute or two. If that is sufficient, stop here. If the hone level is too low (still too dull), use the 400 grit pad and cover a slightly larger area feathering out to blend.

If the stone is polished, first try the Majestic Etch Remover product to remove light etching and scratches. This product is the same type product used at the factory to achieve a high polish on marble and similar stone. Make sure the Etch Remover is well mixed then wet the area to be polished with clean water, apply a teaspoon to the area or a soft micro-fiber cloth and begin polishing in a circular motion. Polish for a couple of minutes while keeping the compound wet. Remove the Majestic Etch Remover with squeegee and/or wet cloth. Buff any remaining residue with a soft dry cloth. Evaluate and repeat process, if necessary.

Of course you may need a professional contractor to do a full restoration on your project. Contact one of the Pros at sccpros.com for assistance in your area.

Once your surfaces have been restored to their original condition, or as close as possible, begin maintenance with the above approved products. As always, I have to close with the importance of partnering with a good distributor of quality products and technical support. It is essential for a contractor’s success. Call or email Stonecare Central for technical assistance at 800-342-4533 or orders@m3techinc.com.

Modern Use Of Honed And Textured Stone

2018-06-05T13:05:00-05:00

Honed and Textured Stone

Honed

There are basically 3 categories of stone surface finishes. We have covered these in some limited detail in previous articles. There is of course polished, which everyone should recognize by the highly reflective glossy appearance. That leaves the other two categories of honed and textured, both of which have many subgroups.

Honed materials are becoming very popular here in the USA. They have always been the norm in Europe. In fact, those of you who have been to Europe know that most of the stone there that is subject to traffic, maintenance, or the elements, is honed. This of course is for many logical reasons.

Honed stones can be anywhere between 120 grit at the lower level and 800 grit at the upper level, depending on who you ask. Just like with many other professions, if you ask 10 fabricators or restoration contractors what a hone is to them, you may get 10 or more different answers. For me, I define the following categories as 120 grit and lower as grinding, 120 grit through 800 grit as honing, and higher than 800 grit as pre-polishing and polishing. Of course, that is my opinion.

Honed stones are normally much easier to maintain. Depending on the level of the hone, foot traffic can actually improve the patina. Remember, foot traffic abrasion can be equated to between 200 grit and 400 grit. If you have a 180 grit hone then the traffic lanes could very likely have a higher patina (sheen) than the rest of the floor. Etching may not be as noticeable on honed surfaces as it is on polished surfaces too.

As we have discussed before, the level of hone controls how much of the stone’s color is present as well as how much patina or reflection the material has. The higher the hone, the more color and reflectivity the stone will have.

Of course one of the drawbacks is that the material will have more surface area and therefore more open and interstitial pores exposed. This can lead to contaminants entering the stone easier, causing more staining. For this reason, honed materials are most always recommended to be sealed or impregnated to help resist contaminant penetration and staining.

Another issue may be honing marks or swirls. This can be from the abrasives on the line machine at the tile production plant or even if the stone has been honed in place. Honing powders and/or diamond impregnated buffing pads can help alleviate this issue to help assure a consistent looking surface.

Textured

Textured stone is another surface finish that has many subcategories. For instance, flamed granite and natural cleft slate are two well-known textured materials. There are many ways to texture stone such as sand blasting, chiseling, bush hammering, splitting, and so on.

I define textured as a rough or uneven surface. It does not matter how rough, just so long as it is uneven. Tumbled, antiqued, and leathered surfaces are in this group as well.

These surfaces are used for many reasons. Among these are slip resistance and contrast. You will see flamed granite used throughout the north and northeast sections of the USA because of the slip resistant properties. Architects use both honed and textured materials as contrasts to polished stone and other materials.

Textured material has even more surface area so therefore more open and interstitial pores are exposed. This of course means that textured materials are subject to staining more so than other finishes. Textured materials are always recommended to be impregnated, color enhanced, or sealed. These choices offer natural appearance, color enrichment, and gloss.

Slates, limestones, sandstones, and other similar materials can be subject to freeze/thaw, efflorescence, and delamination issues due to water related factors. Therefore by protecting the stone from water penetration, these issues should be reduced or avoided altogether.

Of course textured materials, as a rule, aren’t generally refinished. There are exceptions such as re-flaming granite but this is a very specialized procedure when done in place. So when the material is smoothed due to traffic or weather wear, the affected area can only be repaired by replacement. It is therefore important to implement proper maintenance procedures to ensure the natural beauty and life of the material.

Both honed and textured materials should be protected from foreign contaminant and water penetration by use of impregnators or sealers. Daily maintenance should be conducted with the use of a quality stone soap or neutral cleaner. Stone soap will not only clean but add additional protection from penetration by conditioning the stone. This will also keep colors brighter. Neutral cleaners are used for textured materials that have been sealed with a topical coating.

Of course there will be other products that are necessary for heavily soiled material or for specific purposes. A good relationship with a knowledgeable distributor is your best resource for these situations.