How To Restore Marble Kitchen Countertops
Posted on: 28 March 2016
Marble adds luster to you kitchen, but it is a highly porous stone, which makes it susceptible to damage. If your marble countertop gets scratched or stained, you don't have to replace the whole countertop. It is possible to refinish, and make the surface look new. Here are some tips to refinish a marble countertop.
Prepare to Work
For this project, you need:
- safety goggles
- safety gloves
- cleaning cloths
- wide container
- masking tape or painter's tape
- marble stone cleaner
- electric sander
- sanding discs in 220,400, 600, and 800 grits
- chamois ( leather drying cloth)
- foam paint brush
- marble polish
- marble sealer
It is important to clean the surface so the repair material sticks better, it gives you a better view of the damage. Turn off the stove, and open a window to ventilate the area. Clean the counter with a cloth and the marble stone cleaner, then use a dampened cloth to remove the cleaner. Don't use general household cleaners, since they may contain harsh chemicals.
Lay masking tape or painters tape over the damaged areas with masking tape or painter's tape, to create a frame; placing the tape one and half inches from the damaged area to allow for sanding overlay. Cover items or areas you don't want touched by refinishing materials.
Sand the Countertop
Attach the 220-grit sanding disc to the sander. Turn the sander on, sand inside the frame for thirty seconds, turn the sander off, then wipe the dust with a cloth. Attach the 400-grit sanding disc, and sand inside the frame for two minutes; turning the sander off to clean sand dust.
Repeat the process with the 400-grit and 800-grit sanding discs. Remove the tape, and clean remaining sand dust particles on the counter with a dampened cloth.
Polish and Seal
Apply marble polish on the chamois, and wipe the entire countertop, and let the polish set according to instructions. Buff the surface with the chamois using a circular movement.
Ensure that the window is open when you apply sealer, because the smell is usually strong, and most sealer contain VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). Pour marble sealer in a wide container, and apply it to the countertop with the foam paint brush using light, overlapping strokes.
Let the sealer dry according to instructions, then buff excess sealer with a clean cloth. Excess sealer may damage the stone finish, so ensure all of the sealer gets removed.
Your marble countertops should now sparkle. Refinishing marble countertops adds new life to your kitchen. If your countertops are seriously damaged, consider replacing them. To learn more, contact a company like Artisan Granite & Marble.
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