Marble, and Travertine Countertop Refinishing
Homeowners love their beautiful Marble, Onyx, Travertine and Limestone countertops until they see mysterious marks they are unable to remove. Overtime, the snowballing effect of surface etching causes the homeowner to become alarmed at the extensive surface damage.
Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone cleaning and sealing expert, receives calls weekly from concerned homeowners who have become frustrated trying to remove water spots off their Marble, Travertine, Limestone and Onyx Countertops. Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone care expert, would like to unlock the mystery about the removal and prevention of water spots ands surface etching.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SURFACE ETCHING
There are 2 types of etching you will find on most calcite based Marble, Travertine, Limestone and Onyx countertops. Depending on the compositions and substance making contact in the form of “etching or water spots” will determine the best removal method Stone Care of Arizona will take.
Let’s unpack this to help connect the dots:
- SURFACE ETCHING: How do you identify a surface etch? If you can feel the texture and the serpentine borders of a etch with your fingertips, it is a surface etch. In these rare cases, a client can use a etch removal cream to get rid of the offending water spot(s). Even, though you use a etch removal cream there is no guarantee of success if some of the etching is a sublevel etch. Surface etching is caused by lower pH acidic substances and high pH alkaline making contact with the countertop. To remove surface etching will require “light duty” honing and polishing steps to match the existing finish.
- SUBLEVEL ETCHING: How do you identify a sublevel etch? If you are unable to feel a the texture and serpentine borders of an etch with your fingertips it is a sublevel etch. Sublevel etch are created with a prolong contact with an acidic or alkaline based substance making surface contact. Acidic and alkaline substances can be very reactive when allowed to spill or splatter on a countertop. When this happens the Beilby layer will dissolve below the surface where “refinishing” or restoration is required to remove etching. This type of sublevel etching can only be removed by “heavy duty” honing and polishing steps.
WHY IS SURFACE ETCHING SO DIFFICULT TO REMOVE?
The reason surface etching can be difficult to remove from Marble, Travertine, Limestone and Onyx countertops is because the surface finish has been compromised. We have seen an uptick in countertop surface damage due in part to disinfecting routines with solutions sprays and wipes with sodium hypochlorite (household bleach). If you are concerned about COVID-19 and have sprayed bleach (Bleach based), Peroxide, and Ammonia on Marble, Travertine. Limestone and Onyx Countertops, you will damage the surface by making it dull or will leave sublevel etching on the surface.
WHAT CAUSES WATER SPOTS, WATER MARKS AND ETCHING?
When water spots or etching is noticed, many homeowners will use their favorite spotter on the surface, near the sinks, tubs and backsplashes on their countertop, only to discover that the water spots or etching is permanent. It gets worst when a client uses a corrosive acid-based substance cleaner on the spots. Doing so will create a “deeper etch” that requires more time for Stone Care of Arizona to remove a sublevel etch. Here is the bad news, alkaline and neutral cleaners cannot remove etching on Marble, Travertine. Limestone and Onyx Countertops.
When a calcium carbonate natural stone such as Marble, Onyx, Conglomerates, Travertine, Onyx and Limestone comes in contact with a corrosive acid it will dissolve the Beilby layer (finished appearance). The Beilby layer is the polished surface created by either mechanical & chemical polishing. Since Marble, Onyx, Conglomerates, Travertine, and Limestone is acid sensitive, it can also be severely affected by an acid-based cleaner. Also, non-calcite stones such as and Terrazzo are acid sensitive to similar substances.
Stone Care of Arizona, the natural stone care expert, pinned an informative article on the topic of how to remove water spots. Click here to read: How to Remove Water spots on Countertops.
There are a various substances that create water marks, surface etching and chemical burns on Marble, Travertine, Onyx, and, Limestone countertops.
Check out the small list of items below:
✔ Limes, Oranges, Grapefruit, fruit juices, Tomatoes (and sauces), Peppers.
✔ Calcium removers, any cleaner with bleach and vinegar (cleaners), etc.
✔ Mouth wash, alcohol (products with alcohol), lime-way etc.
✔ Wine, margheritas, Cocktails, adult beverages, beer, etc.
✔ Rubbing Alcohol, soft drinks, and salad dressings, etc.
To see list, click here: Substances that etch countertops, showers and floors
In the article, Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone cleaning expert provides a list of substances that can damage the finish off countertops and floors.
The most common substances used in kitchen powder rooms and bathrooms countertops are listed below:
- Adult beverages
- All Shower and Tub cleaners (acid-based)
- All hard water removers (acid-based)
- Vinegar-based cleaners
- Mouth wash
- Toothpaste
- Saliva
- Alcohol
- Citrus beverages
- Vomit
- Urine
- Coffee
- Herbal tea
MARBLE, TRAVERTINE, LIMESTONE COUNTERTOP REFINISHING
Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone care expert uses countertop specific refinishing steps to remove etching and scratches.
The below image Stone Care of Arizona shares some of our restoration process:
✔ The restoration process begins with trying to determine the depth of the scratches and etching.Once we find the baseline of the dissolved area of the etch.
✔ We next use a series of honing steps in the form of a dedicated grit sizes not limited to aggressive cutting grits to finer grits in preparation for polishing.
✔ Once the etch or scratch is removed. The polishing steps are used to match the existing finish. We get your feedback to ensure your shine vision is met.
Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone care expert will share another countertop refinishing image to help crystallize the full Marble refinishing process.
Let’s evaluate the before, during and after images of the Marble refinishing process.
On the before
image, you can notice two things that pop out at you.
- You can see water spots or etching all over the marble countertop
- You may also notice that there is no reflection from the LED lights. The area is dull overall due to improper cleaner being used.
On the middle
image, you notice the marble refinishing process using the “lower honing grits.” Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone care expert was able to remove the surface etching. Whether we are honing Marble, Travertine, Onyx and Limestone the goal of countertop refinishing is to realign the damaged interlocking “calcite crystals” and flatten the surrounding area of the countertop.
On the after
image, you will notice a “dramatic difference.” Stone Care of Arizona, used “higher polishing grits that created a mechanical polished appearance. There is no etching and the light reflecting is illuminating in the left corner. The Marble countertop refinishing has restored the “depth” and “clarity” of the surface.
If you desire the countertop refinishing Marble, Travertine, Onyx and Limestone countertops, give us a call Stone Care of Arizona the countertop cleaning and sealing expert at 480-625-0557. We look forward to speaking with you.
GRANITE AND MARBLE COUNTERTOP SEALING
The last step of the Marble refinishing process is the application of impregnating sealer. Impregnating sealer will not change the appearance or leave a “sticky residue” after application. Impregnating sealer creates repellency where the surface “resist” water and oil substances by leaving the micro-pores sites with a protective barrier. Impregnating sealer is ideal for Granite, Marble, Travertine, Limestone and Onyx countertops.
Our goal at Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone cleaning expert is to clean and sanitize your countertops. We want you to indeed have a clean Granite, Marble, Travertine and Limestone countertop!
GRANITE COUNTERTOP CHIP AND CRACK REPAIR SERVICES
Stone Care of Arizona, Arizona stone care expert specializes in chip and crack repairs. If you have a chip or crack on your Granite, Marble, Travertine and Limestone countertops, give us a call at 480-625-0557.
Here are several things that can happen:
✔ Hairline on the countertop surface
✔ Resin fills that erode due to foundation shifting
✔ Damage caused by blunt force impact
✔ Mineral degradation and surface erosion
✔ Scratches due to surface abrasion
✔ Seam separation due to movement and surface stress
Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone care expert provides chip repair on Granite, Marble, Travertine, Onyx and Limestone Countertops. Chip repairs are provided to slow down erosion and help create fortification on the Granite, Marble, Travertine and Limestone countertop.
Stone Care of Arizona, Arizona stone care expert specializes in cleaning, sealing and polishing countertops. Stone Care of Arizona, the natural stone care expert provides free consultation and estimates to their clients. If you desire Granite, Marble, Travertine and Limestone, please give us a call at 480-625-0557, 8 am to 6 pm and afterhours 24/7 by clicking here: Online request
We offer a $100 Stone Care of Arizona discount
on orders of $850 or more to all new clients. Be sure to fill out the coupon request form.
We look forward to speaking with you regarding your Countertop cleaning, sealing and polishing needs.
LIMESTONE FLOOR REFINISHING & RESTORATION
Stone Care of Arizona, the natural stone care expert is the premier cleaning, polishing, sealing, and floor refinishing company in the North Valley. We specialize in making you happy! Stone Care of Arizona will provide cleaning, sealing, and floor refinishing services that meet and/or exceed your expectations. We provide a make you smile guarantee to ensure that you are thrilled with our work. If you desire a wonderful experience, please give us a call at 480-625-0557. We look forward to speaking with you.
Stone Care of Arizona, Arizona stone care expert is the premier natural stone care cleaning, sealing, and polishing company. Stone Care of Arizona specializes in Marble floor cleaning and sealing services. We also do Travertine floor cleaning and sealing Limestone floor cleaning and sealing services in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, and Cave Creek areas.
Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone care expert recommends that "all" Granite countertops should be sealed. Granite cleaning and COVID-19 disinfecting and sealing is necessary to ensure that you Granite countertop safe to enjoy. If you desire Granite cleaning and sealing, give Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone care expert a call at 480-625-0557. We look forward to speaking to you about cleaning and sealing your Granite countertop.
Stone Care of Arizona, the natural stone care expert takes cleaning Granite countertops, Marble countertops, cleaning Travertine countertops, and Limestone countertops seriously. COVID-19 is taking no prisoners and making sure your countertops are disinfected after cleaning is very important. If you are serious about countertop cleaning, disinfecting and sealing, please give Stone Care of Arizona a call at 480-625-0557
Stone Care of Arizona, the natural stone care expert receives lots of calls from concerned clients who have discovered to their chagrin, they have damaged their Marble, Travertine, Onyx and Limestone floors, countertops and showers due to mild to severe etching. Stone Care of Arizona, the natural stone expert provide the flooring services,
FLOORS:
• Travertine cleaning, sealing and floor refinishing services
• Marble cleaning, sealing and floor refinishing services
• Onyx cleaning, sealing and floor refinishing services
• Limestone cleaning, sealing and floor refinishing services
• Slate cleaning and sealing
• Slate cleaning and refinishing services
• Flagstone cleaning & sealing services
• Terrazzo cleaning & sealing and refinishing services.
• Terrazzo cleaning & sealing services.
Travertine, Marble and Limestone Repairs Services. Stone Care of Arizona is the Travertine, Marble and Limestone Repairs expert! Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona Travertine, Marble and Limestone Repairs can restore your natural stone inlay. Give us a call at 480-625-0557.
Stone Care of Arizona is the Arizona cleaning and sealing experts! We specialize in the following services, Travertine countertop cleaning, sealing and refinishing, Marble countertop cleaning, sealing and refinishing, Onyx countertop cleaning, sealing and refinishing, Limestone countertop cleaning, sealing and refinishing, Granite countertop cleaning, sealing and refinishing services Give Stone Care of Arizona, Arizona stone care expert a call at 480-625-0557. It will be our distinct pleasure in providing you with world-class services.
Medallion Cleaning, Sealing & Refinishing Services. Stone Care of Arizona is the medallion cleaning, sealing & refinishing expert! Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona medallion refinishing can restore your stone medallion or natural stone inlay. Give us a call at 480-625-0557.
Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone care expert specializes Travertine countertop refinishing, Travertine countertop cleaning & sealing, Marble countertop refinishing, Marble countertop cleaning and sealing, Onyx countertop refinishing, Onyx cleaning and sealing, Limestone countertop refinishing, Limestone countertop cleaning and sealing services. Stone Care of Arizona, the Arizona stone care countertop expert is here to help you, give us a call at 480-625-0557. We look forward to speaking with you
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Stone Care of Arizona LLC
16427 N Scottsdale Road
Suite 410
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
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