The Most Common Mistakes When Polishing Granite
Natural-stone surfaces always look better after they have been polished. In the case of granite, this is a stone that practically demands a polished finish when installed as countertops, vertical panels, and decorative back splashes. Polishing granite can be accomplished on a do-it-yourself basis as long as the following mistakes are avoided.
1. Making Floors Too Slippery
Polish should not be applied to granite floor tiles that get a fair amount of foot traffic, particularly in spaces such as the kitchen and bathrooms where there may be a higher risk of slipping and falling. Granite flooring should be cleaned and resealed but not polished.
2. Polishing Over Weak Seals
Granite can only be polished over a strong seal. Homeowners who are not sure about the last time their granite slabs or tiles were sealed should perform a water penetration test, which can be accomplished by pouring small amounts of water about 3 inches in diameter on various surface spots.
If the water seeps through and leaves dark spots or rings within 30 minutes, the water is penetrating the granite, so it should be sealed with a stone-safe granite sealer before polishing.
3. Polishing Before Sealing
Sealing after polishing is a common mistake made by homeowners who clean, seal, and polish with spray-and-wipe solutions specially formulated for granite surfaces. The correct order is as follows: Clean, Seal, and Polish.
The seal should be given 24 hours to thoroughly dry and cure before the polishing formula can be applied.
4. Using Common Household Cleaners
The granite polishing process should always begin with a good cleaning of the surface, but homeowners should never use common household cleaners for this purpose. Most household cleaners will break down the seal and impregnate the granite through its porous surface. Vinegar is another problematic substance that should never come into contact with granite. The only cleaning substances that should be applied to granite and other natural-stone surfaces should be those sold specifically for this purpose, such as Granite Gold Daily Cleaner®.
5. Using Power Tools
Homeowners should never use diamond polishing pads that attach to drills and power tools. In cases when a homeowner moves into a new property where the granite seems to have never been polished, a thorough cleaning, sealing, and polishing should be performed with a dry paper towel or lint-free cloth. When granite is neglected and the seal wears out, it will appear dull and stained. However, it can often be brought back to a shiny state with a high-quality granite polish such as Granite Gold Polish®.
To learn more about polishing granite, or to find out how to clean granite countertops properly, reach out to Granite Gold®. All of our products are safe to use on granite, and they’re also safe to use on other types of natural stone, including marble, slate, and travertine.
Give us a call today at 1-800-475-STONE, and one of our knowledgeable representatives would be happy to assist you.