Brushed Marble (Ceramic Backed)

We are now in our second house and in the middle of remodeling the kitchen and 3 bathrooms at once (yes, I am insane). 

My question is this, have you heard of and/or experienced brushed marble that is ceramic backed.  I did not see anything on your website.  But, this is basically a tile with a marble veneer (about 1/4" thick) on top of terracotta.  We fell in love with the look (of the brushed marble) before we looked at the back and now are not sure if it is something we should use.  The salesman said that the ceramic backing makes it "hardier" when cutting so it is a good thing.  I have my reservations.  Has anyone ever used or installed this?  Are there disadvantages we should be aware of?  Will it chip or flake or worse, peel off of its ceramic backing?

 

Also, is this type of marble tile advisable in a kitchen (high traffic area).  I like the look of the brushed marble because when it does wear (or get stained) in the kitchen, it will not be as obvious.  Plus, it does not have the "holes" that travertine has (though I love travertine as well - i just hate the fill).  We are considering a color called "Emperador Dark" which is a dark brown with gold and white accents, but the brushed marble material comes in other colors as well.

 

I truly appreciate your advice and suggestions (and criticism).  Please don't hold back.  This stuff is not cheap and I do not want to make a stupid mistake!  Thank you!

 

Joanne (College Park, MD)

Polished granite and marble

We have a polished black granite floor in the lobby of our building.  It is very difficult to clean.  We have tried numerous cleaners that are made for this surface, but to our disappointment, all of the seem to leave streaks or a film buildup. Is there any substance we can use that can be put on and left to dry without streaks or buildup?  We have tried everything we can think of over the past year and nothing seems to be consistent with what we are looking for.

Regards,

Joseph M. Lupia

Possible water mark

I have a bathroom vanity made of granite sold to us under the name "New Venetian Gold". I has a dark discoloration about 5 cm in diameter just to the left of the left faucet handle. Our liquid soap dispenser also resides in that area, I have sealed the stone with sealer from Stone Care International. I'm not sure whether this is water soaking in, the soap or just a grouping of darker colored crystals in the granite. Thank you. Ron

Impactors, Crushers, Pulverizers.

    I am searching for ways to turn -'s into +'s. One thing that I always come back to is the issue of waste material. We our about to go into our fourth year and I guess this is one of those hurdles or growing pains that is normal. I seen this one website that specializes in granite as an aggreate for all phases of landscaping. When I tried to follow up by finding the equipment to produce similar product I hit a brick wall. Everything was way to big for our operation. We only put out about 8 tons a week in trash stone. I wonder if any one can turn me onto a good manufacturer of size reduction machinery that can handle something as hard as tropic brown on a daily basis. Thank you.

products

Hi, I just bought your products and am pretty disappointed.  Any return policy?  The polisher actually dulled my counter and smelled so awful.  I thought the MB5 would help with water spots but no luck and I mistakenly bought the disinfectant, not realizing it isn't for granite.  Can you please advise me?

 

Thanks!

Nancy Rose Dow

Q4493

 

Hi Michael,

you don't know me, but I was reading your question about giallo veneziano granite, and I am curious if you had it installed.

I had it installed on my bathroom floor, and it is all stained from the contracters. It looks like water stains from the sponge that they used to grout my tiles on the wall.

I was kind of hoping that you would be able to tell me if you installed the same granite and if you knew of anything that gets rid of stains.

thanks

nancy

 

Proper granite choice

Is there any difference in density and permeability amongst Seafoam Green, Giallo Cristaline and New Venetian Gold?  Is one better than the others -- i.e., more/less absorbant, porous.  Are all of the above the real thing -- granite?    We are having a new kitchen installed and are now choosing the appropriate granite for the countertops.  Susan

Purple spots on granite

We just had installed Giallio Ornamental granite on a vanity in our bathroom.  After a couple of days a purple ring appeared on the stone along with several small purple dot-size spots.  We hadn't noticed it previously.  Can you tell what it might be?

Purple stains on granite

We recently had galiea ornamental granite installed in our master bathroom with undermount sinks.  A couple of days after the granite was installed and followed by installation of the faucetts, several purple stains appeared on the granite.  At this point, we had not used the bathroom yet.  Do you have any idea what might have caused these purple stains?  The installer cleaned the granite with lacquer thinner and left the lid of the lacquer thinner can setting on the granite while he was working on it.  I would appreciate any help you can give me.  Thank you!  Karen

Q 5020

 

Campbell,

Did you every find a dealer/distributor that carried Artic Rainbow Granite?   I was told by the Home Expo Center that it comes from Africa and they are not extracting it anymore.   If you were able to find it I would certainly appreciate it if you could share the information with me.

Thanks,
Peg

Q6947

Hello,

 

We're building a house and are in the granite selection process for our kitchen. We saw a granite at wholesaler Intercontinental Marble & Granite in Tampa, FL that they call "Golden Lightning" that we like and are considering.  I did a quick search on Yahoo to find more information and  found "Golden Lightning" granite the topic of question "Q 6947" on your web site.  Attached is a photo we took of the "Golden Lightning" slab at the wholesaler. We like the "veining" look of this "granite".

 

I'm curious about the response that "Golden Lightning" is not granite and that "true geological granite doesn't have any veining".   Where does this definition come from?  Also, based on the photo, what is your opinion of what type of stone this "Golden Lightning" is?

 

Mark Shell

 

 

Q4644

I need help with soap stains on black granite and a glass mark. I believe it is dish soap that was absorbed. Please let me know your fee.

Q4635

How did you fix the scratch in your granite countertop?

Thanks for your help.

 

Carol Factor

Q6889

I'm a chemist, not an acoustic engineer -- but why ever would you imagine:

1) that granite is a better conductor or insulator than wood (they're both pretty non-conductive, seems to me)

2) that the fabrication expense would repay in sound quality? One can make a canoe of concrete (using mesh support for tensile strength) or a balloon of lead foil -- but both of these are poor choices compared with wood (or fiberglass/resin) and rubber (or Mylar) respectively.

One thing that may affect acoustics is the wood density -- there are many tropical (and some temperate) woods denser than maple, for example.

Q8604/ radiation and granite

 

Hi,

I read your question about granite and radiation. I've been trying to research this with little success. It seems like granite does emit radiation but in small and unharmful amounts.  The question then becomes: what is small and harmless?  I'm interested in hearing what you found out.  Thanks!

Eileen

Q8614

I am very interested in Antiqued Cambrien Black granite for the same reason  ---no "bling"!   Did you purchase it and install it and has it performed as  "we" want it to?!    I think it is beautiful  and as of now is my first  choice, after looking at zillions of granite slabs.

Thanks for your info!
Sandy

giallo ornamental

I M FROM BRASIL...HAVE ONE CONTAINER OF THIS MATERIAL IN LONG BEACH PORT-CALIFORNIA.

I CAN SALE FOR LOW PRICE.

CONTACT ME

WWW.KARATSTONES.COM

 

giallo ornamental

IM FROM BRASIL ..HAVE ONECONTAINER OF THIS MATERIAL IN LONG BEACH PORT,CALIFORNIA.

 

I CAN SALE FOR LOW PRICE

CONTACT ME

WWW.KARATSTONES.COM

 

giallo ornamental

I M FROM BRASIL...HAVE ON CONTAINER OF GIALLO ORNAMENTAL IN LONG BEACH PORT.

I CAN SALE FOR LOW PRICE.

CONTACT ME

WWW.KARATSTONES.COM

Q8648

We are shopping for a granite countertop and am wondering if you have a list of guidelines we should be aware.  Also, as far as easier maintenance, is it wiser to choose a slighly lighter color (such as a mixture of beige and black) vs. dark black?

 

 

Thank you for any guidance you can give me.

 

Marilyn

Question - Uba Tuba "granite"

I read on your site that Uba Tuba is not granite.  I just purchased it a few months ago and it was sold to me as granite.  It appears almost black but has a green hue to it.  It is dulling in one area and it was supposedly sealed.  First, if it is not granite, what is it? Second, I paid about 61 dollars per square foot for it (did I pay too much?).  And third, how do I care for it and get the shine back?

Q8648

 

I have had granite in my last two homes, and now realize how much difference there is in both the material and the supplier.  After 7 years in my home in Ohio, my granite countertops looked just like they did the day they were installed.  In Georgia, from day one I was questioning why water was being absorbed.  The funny part is my counters in Georgia were REALLY expensive, while those in Ohio were, what I considered, very reasonable, so I can't use price as a gauge!

 

How can I get your "how to shop for a kitchen countertop" article?  And how do I know if I'm dealing with someone reputable????

Linda Marsh

Question

Hi!

 

I read through the questions and advice regarding cleaning granite and didn't find an answer to my question.  We have "Santa Cecilia Granite" countertops in our kitchen and bath, which were installed approx. 1 1/2 years ago.  We have well water and I've noticed a white film around the faucets.  I use CLR in my sinks to remove mineral deposits, but it says not to use it on natural stone, so I haven't used it.  Do you have any advice on how to remove the mineral deposits on the "granite"?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

Marilyn Westendorf

Question

I have a granite bench out in the garden.  It is not sealed and a contractor left a chain saw on the bench and oil leaked onto the surface of the bench.  Is there any way I can remove the oil from the granite without leaving a stain?

Thanks,

F. Deane Erwin

 

Labrador Austral

We just purchased Labrador Austral /Labrador blue Austral (or some form of that name).    There were two lots to choose from - one definitely had a 'bluer' background and the other, which we chose, had a green background with black and gold running through and of course the beautiful blue in it.  It does look similar to some of the other green stones out there (verde butterfly) - put what sets it apart from those is the beautiful blue in it.  I love how depending on what angle you are looking at it how different the blue can look.  My question is, how porous is this particular stone?  What do we need to watch out for as far as daily maintenance? I did the vinegar test and also tested with oil and tomato sauce on a HUGE sample piece (which I saw them break off right from that lot on a piece that was leftover)  they gave me and didn't see anything.  In fact I left the liquids on for a few hours.  I also tried to put the liquids in areas that looked like fissures.   I thought the slabs sitting in the yard would not be sealed yet?
Is it possible it is already sealed and that is why nothing penetrated?
Or am I just lucky and this particular stone is a good choice?

'Granite' Sealing

You have a great informative web site but, I still have questions.  I have a 'granite' slab in my kitchen that is something like a Kashmir Gold or Juparana species.  A lighter toned swirling slab.  It is very prone to stains  and I have already been rescued by Maurizio's Talc/Acetone solution.  The slab is going to stay, so I'm curious of the best way to protect it?  Several coats of an impregnating sealer (such as MB-4) ?  I do not believe the slab has recieved any treatment thus far.  Currently, the slab is stain free and looks perfect, should it still be cleaned with a cleaning solution (like MB-2) prior to sealing?

                                                   Thanks,
                                                       Brendan 

question

Our granite countertop (called Kashmire Gold Light?) was recently damaged when the exterior brick on the wall adjacent to the countertop was removed with a jackhammer.  (We are adding on to our house)

 

There are two large cracks radiating from the anterior corners of our cooktop.  I'm assuming this happened because the hole that was cut into the slab of granite for the cooktop created stress at these corners.  The anterior margin of the granite is actually completely seperated from the rest of the slab because of these two cracks.  You can also see similar cracks in the posterior margin but I can't tell if they go all the way through.

 

The stone company is going to come out tomorrow to repair the granite.  If it doesn't meet with our approval then then our general contractor said he would replace the countertops if he had to.  The stone guys said they would have to repace all of the granite on all of the countertops and the island since they could not match it.

 

I love my granite and would hate to replace it all but on the otherhand, I worry that I will have a recurrence of this problem because the seams will never be as strong.

 

What would you advise?

 

Question

I am creating an overlarge window well for egress windows (3 1/2' basement windows).  The well is 5' deep, 8' wide and 25' long.  I am planning on using Wisconsin Granite Boulder 12 - 18" size.  Does anyone have suggestions on installation.  We've heard that we should lay a barrier cloth down 1st with 1" clear gravel as the base.  We've also heard that this type of wall should be placed right on the soil.  Thanks for your help. Greg Nov 17 2005

question

Hi, looking for advice.  I am currently having an apartment built and in the preselection process decided on contrasting granite countertops: black on the island and leopard skin on the interior countertop.  The cabinets are natural maple and the backsplash is black tile.  Now, after I've seen how it looks in several completed units in the building, I don't like the leopard skin and am sorry I didn't simply go with black for the entire kitchen.  The builder told me it's too late to change the order because the materials were pre ordered months ago after the selection was made.  Completion of my unit is still 3 months away.  Should I even have them install the countertops, or should I tell them to just leave the cabinets there with no countertops - and have the all black countertops installed by someone else?  I should I have the builder only install the black island countertop and attempt to have another installer match that granite for the interior countertop?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Next time you lock up your shop.

    Next time you go to turn out the lights and you roll down the doors and swing close thoses gates; you should consider the possibility of some intruder exploiting any weakness in your defenses. Long story, short. We thought we were covered. Last Thursday night we got hit. A hand full of grinders covered by insurance. No big deal right? Well, they also got a laptop, a 3- drawer top box. and a bench grinder all just from one area where I do the CNC. The tool box had all the craftsmen wrenches you could think of and one drawer had all my unused finger bits, core drill bits and non-core bits. The laptop was sporting a hardware key(dongle) which allowed full functionality of the italian software exclusive to and necessary for our machine. Two years ago with the dollar strong and the euro weak it cost just about $3000 for just one key and license. Friday with the exchange rate taken into account i got the quote for the replacement as being in the neighborhood of $7500. ( Thank God for Insurance) So, point being. Reinforce your security. Watch for suspicious behavior. Carry insurance.

question

Hello,
I came across your blog and was wondering if you could answer something for me. I recently had an  Uba Tuba Granite counter and island top installed in my new house. The problem is that there is little black
pieces of the counter top (it looks like glue) are coming off and I now
have a bunch of little holes in my counter. I'm wondering if I ended up
with engineered stone because I have never seen this or heard of this
happening to natural granite.When I look closely at the stone it doesn't have a really smooth surface. I can see areas that look like they have been filled with the black substance inside the stone. Have you ever heard of anything like this? Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Rochelle

P.S. Are there any visual tips you can give me that may help to
distinguish my stone from cultured or natural.

Question

Hello,

I extend my appreciation in advance for any information you can give me on the "granite" Amber Fantasy.  It is also known as Lady's Dream.  This granite is not included in your informative list of the world's most popular granites.   I am particularly interested in what kind of stone it is and what the absorbtion rate, albeit, I am not clear on what the best absorbtion rate (or lack of absorbtion rate) would be!  I assume that the less a stone absorbs the better quality of the stone?

 

Here are some links to see Amber Fantasy (3rd link is Lady's Dream name).  You may know it by even another name!

 

http://64.30.125.247/imgSearchv2.aspx

 

http://www.arizonatile.com/aztile.html

 

http://www.jerongmarble.com/show_productdetails.asp?img_type=i&prod_id=186

 

Again, if you can give me any help it would really be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

Elizabeth

Granite repair problem

I recently had a small scratch removed from a granite countertop.  I was told by the repair person that it could just be buffed out.  After the scratch was removed I had noticed that they had to sand the finish down to remove it.  The problem is that they had gone too deep and there is now a noticeable quarter size divot in the shiny finish.  Does anyone know if this is something that could be fixed?   Any responses would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

question

Hi, I think we are too late in finding your website.  Looks like this was a
bad choice but we had absolute black honed granite installed in our kitchen yesterday.  We have not used it yet, have not cleaned it with anything and have not sealed it.  I see so many different recommendations on various websites but your website impresses us the most.  Before we make any mistakes, please tell us what we should use to clean our granite and let us know if we should seal it or color enhance it?  Thanks so much!

Question

Hi, I just stumbled onto your website trying to look for various ways to
make our new granite shine and it started me thinking about how good our coutertops really are.  We have Sapphire Blue in our kitchen and Blue Pearl in our bathroom.  I love them both, but am struggling keeping them shiny.  They were sealed before they left the shop and I wash them with soap and water only.  Any suggestions?  Des, US

Question about changing size of granite counter to

Dear Maurizio, Your Q&A website is great, but I don't have my e-mail set up
to contact you directly through it.  I have ubutuba coutner tops that I am
very happy with.  However, they were installed to fit my old refrigerator
and I basically can't find a refrigerator now with those dimensions.  Can an
installer come in and "shave" 3-4 inches off one end of the granite counter
top?  Thanks so much for your help.  Virignia Palmer

Question about Granite Contertop

I read your posting on FINDSTONE.COM and was curious to know if my granite is fake that was installed in a new house. My house is just 1 week old now. We had a housewarming party the first day we moved in. I got granite countertop installed as an upgrade in the kitchen. The builder charged me a lot for this.

 

After the party I noticed that oil had sunk inside the granite countertop. I tried my best to wipe it off for almost 1 hr but no succcess.

 

Today at home depot a lady told me to try "TILE LAB STAIN Remover" . Since I have no idea about stones, I did a serach on google and found your posting :http://www.findstone.com/awaug102.htm

 

Before using it I wanted to ask :

 

1) Is our granite not real granite , if not what can I tell to the builder to make him believe as the product is still under warranty

2) Is it safe to use the tile lab stain removed on Granite Countertop. I didn't see anything mentioned in the directions that it can be used on Granite Countertops as well.

 

I will really really appreciate your input on this. I have gone crazy since I have seen the spots on my expensive granite( so called) countertop.

 

Thank You very much....

 

Suman Kumar

Question about Azul Aran in shower

Hi:

I would love to use tiles of Azul Aran for our shower walls and tub surround.  Is there a problem with oxidation of the metal present in this stone when used in high water areas?  I read something brief about this on your website, but couldn't find more info anywhere else.  Should I reconsider using this particular granite?  It is really a beautiful stone.

Thanks for your help.

Diane

Question about caring for granite countertops

We have a dull black granite countertop and we have hard water stains
around the faucet and where the tile and granite meet.  What are some
solutions in order to remove the hard water stains??

question about granites

We have been shopping around for granite countertops and it was hard for me to decide colors for countertops.  We went to see the slabs and finally decided on "Paladio" for our bathroom, "waterfall green" for our island and "New Camrbian" (not sure if it is the same as "Cambrian black)
for the kitchen.  Could you advise if they are good choices for granite countertops? Also, what is better, 2cm or 3 cm regardless of price. Thanks.
--
Russ

question about granites

We have been shopping around for granite countertops and it was hard for me to decide colors for countertops.  We went to see the slabs and finally decided on "Paladio" for our bathroom, "waterfall green" for our island and "New Camrbian" (not sure if it is the same as "Cambrian black)
for the kitchen.  Could you advise if they are good choices for granite countertops? Also, what is better, 2cm or 3 cm regardless of price. Thanks.
--
Russ

Question about Azul Aran in shower

Hi:

I would love to use tiles of Azul Aran for our shower walls and tub surround.  Is there a problem with oxidation of the metal present in this stone when used in high water areas?  I read something brief about this on your website, but couldn't find more info anywhere else.  Should I reconsider using this particular granite?  It is really a beautiful stone.

Thanks for your help.

Diane

Question about caring for granite countertops

We have a dull black granite countertop and we have hard water stains
around the faucet and where the tile and granite meet.  What are some
solutions in order to remove the hard water stains??

Question about Granite Contertop

I read your posting on FINDSTONE.COM and was curious to know if my granite is fake that was installed in a new house. My house is just 1 week old now. We had a housewarming party the first day we moved in. I got granite countertop installed as an upgrade in the kitchen. The builder charged me a lot for this.

 

After the party I noticed that oil had sunk inside the granite countertop. I tried my best to wipe it off for almost 1 hr but no succcess.

 

Today at home depot a lady told me to try "TILE LAB STAIN Remover" . Since I have no idea about stones, I did a serach on google and found your posting :http://www.findstone.com/awaug102.htm

 

Before using it I wanted to ask :

 

1) Is our granite not real granite , if not what can I tell to the builder to make him believe as the product is still under warranty

2) Is it safe to use the tile lab stain removed on Granite Countertop. I didn't see anything mentioned in the directions that it can be used on Granite Countertops as well.

 

I will really really appreciate your input on this. I have gone crazy since I have seen the spots on my expensive granite( so called) countertop.

 

Thank You very much....

 

Suman Kumar

Question about changing size of granite counter to

Dear Maurizio, Your Q&A website is great, but I don't have my e-mail set up
to contact you directly through it.  I have ubutuba coutner tops that I am
very happy with.  However, they were installed to fit my old refrigerator
and I basically can't find a refrigerator now with those dimensions.  Can an
installer come in and "shave" 3-4 inches off one end of the granite counter
top?  Thanks so much for your help.  Virignia Palmer

question about sealing

I have granite countertops, 3 years old, Labrador Green (but very 
dark and almost black).  Which one of your sealer do you recommend?  
I use Marbamist to clean them every few days, and have sealed them 
twice, but they just don't seem as shiny and slick as they did when 
they were new.  I'd love to order some of your products, but can't 
figure out which one to get.  I read many of your posts, and you are 
full of info, hope you can help me.

Thanks,
Jane Palmer

Question about Juperano Notebo, Black Galaxy, Afri

We're thinking of doing our kitchen in a Juperano Notebo & Black Galaxy combination or a African Fantasy Bold & Black Galaxy combo.  We would like to know if these are good materials for kitchen use and also how should they all compare to each other price wise?

 

Also, we want to do the paradisio in all the bathrooms.  Is this marble a good choice for bathrooms?  Once again, with regards to price, how do you suppose it should compare to a santa Cecilia or tropic brown?

We think our builder/fabricator is asking way too much $$ on top of what they usually provide - what they call a level 1 granite.

Perhaps you can suggest other less expensive granites that have a light brown look?

Also, if we do go with the above materials, should we have them sealed or tell them not to seal them.  I understand that black galaxy should not be sealed?

Is there a lot of waste when it comes to fabricating granite?

Thank you for your help,

Neha

Question about marble

I just bought a house with the most beautiful orange/gold marble counter tops.  I have read all of your horror stories about marble countertops but am not prepared to rip them out at this point.  So what shall I do to maximize them.  I do not want to adjust to the etchings if I can do something to prevent it.  Should I get a professional or can I seal them myself.  How often do I need to seal them, etc.  There must be some advice you can give me other than put in granite. 

Question on granite

Hi Maurizio:

 

I was on the Web today and saw some information about granite that is kerosene cut and water cut.  I have noticed here in California widely varying prices on granite as I was helping my brother as he shopped around for his remodel. I hope you can answer a question for my brother, as he scrambles to find the right granite counter tops in his house (his ex-wife died and he now has his kids full-time and the need to move into his house very soon). 

 

My question is -- typically -- area standard-sized, bullnozed granite slabs cut with kerosene?  The prices I've heard from a friend who used such slabs is $400 for a bull-nozed slab 87x36, which seems very low.  Also, do kerosene cut granite pieces invariably fail in quality, due to the chemicals that have soaked into the material?  Any information you can provide me would be appreciated.

 

Regards,

 

Gail DeLano

 

Question on Cleaning/Sealing Juparana Bordeaux

Hello Maurizio!

Yesterday we had Juparana Florence Bordeaux installed as kitchen countertops by All Marble Granite & Tile Imports in NJ.  I have been reading your advice pages on findstone.com for the past few months and I had wanted to buy your MB-4 product.   Problem is my installers started sealing the granite upon installation!!  They also told me to clean it with soap and water.  That was when my red flag went up as I've read your views on this method of cleaning!!!

So far we've had the following done to our granite:

 1.  HG Marble & Stone Protector  www.hginternational.com
 One was coat applied by the installers yesterday, fairly quickly after the Granite was wiped down.
(Can says this is a High quality invisible sealer - It says that surfaces treated with HG Marble protector can not be
treated with conventional sealers, polishes or Waxes. They recommend the top protector next after 24 hours)

Their instructions tell us to take the next step today.
2.  HG Top Protector - Water based High quality Sealer

~~~~~

My question is, with this type of granite, do we add another coat of the HG Marble & Stone protector, or just use the HG topcoat as recommended by our installer.

Also, what is the best method for everyday cleaning?

Thank you for your advice. 

Colette Duffy

granite and marble

Hi Maurizio,

I'm looking for information about painting and applying gold leaf to
granite and marble and how to seal the pieces.  It's an art project,
and I want to be sure the paint or gold leaf doesn't come up after
it's applied.  Can you provide me any information about this?

Leigh Bordelon

question re: santa cecilia granite

Hi, I've recently found your website and it is very helpful, thanks!  I have a question regarding a dispute over my new granite countertop.  I selected Santa Cecilia "light" based on a visit to a supplier several weeks ago, during which the sales associate gave me a 12 x 5" sample of the slab I liked.  Then my contractor found a fabricator who called the supplier and learned that she still had the slab I liked.  The supplier provided it to the fabricator.  It turns out the sample and the installed countertop are nothing alike.  The installed granite is mostly light gray/white while my sample is very beige/honey.  It is very disturbing because the counter doesn't really coordinate at all with the cabinets, flooring and walls.  The problem is the fabricator wants payment, but the supplier made an error in giving me a sample which I assumed was at least similar to the slabs we examined.  Who is responsible?  On a recent visit to the supplier, she said she should never have given me the sample because they don't even carry anything like it.  She also said she provided me the lot I picked.  This makes no sense and if I pay the fabricator, I'm essentially stuck with something I don't like and I didn't select.  And my contractor wants my fabricator paid because he said he did nothing wrong.  Any advice on how to resolve this?  Thanks,

Susan

Question regarding Granite Stains from Installatio

I spent a lot of time installing Granite countertops
over the old counter in my kitchen (havign sanded the
prior counter for adhesion). I then layed a layer of
mud, attached the tile, and though all was well. Abotu
an hour or two into the process, the granite started
showing odd staining patterns, which I presumed was
moisture from the mud coming through the porous stone.
However, the stains are not leaving (6 days later).
They are in odd spots, odd shapes, based (preumably)
on the thickness of the mud below. Should I use a
poultice to remove? What material for poultice -
hydrogen peroxide/acetone? Thanks for any help you can
provide.



__________________________________________
Yahoo! DSL -

Question regarding installation

To whom it may concern:

I just had Verde Butterfly granite countertops installed in our kitchen and
noticed that it is cracked on both sides of the cooktop cutout.  I noticed
the crack before the installers left and pointed it out to them.  At first
they insisted it was a natural vein, but after some discussion they conceded
that it was cracked.

I've attached 2 photos of the cracks (easy to see in high resolution photos,
but may be a little difficult to see with the reduced resolution
attachments).  The piece is 92.25" long and 25.5" wide with the cutout
positioned 39" from the left (facing the wall) and 25" from the right.  The
distance from the bullnose to the cutout is 3" and from the back 2.25".

It is important to point out that the first piece with the cutout broke
exactly where the crack is now and was replaced the same day with the now
cracked piece in the photos.  Even after the installer sanded and filled the
crack with resin or epoxy, we are not happy with the crack and our trying to
resolve the situation .  The installer said that he would only replace the
piece if it is seamed on both sides of the cutout because they already broke
the first piece and cracked the second reinforced piece (basically insuating
that if we insisted the granite be replaced it will look worse with the two
seams).  My wife and I are at the point where we don't know what we should
do.  Any advice will be much apprecieated.

Thank you,

Robert in San Diego

Question Soapstone vs granite

Hi, I've poured over the message board reading advice about soapstone and
honed granite, but it has all been in regards to kithcens. We however are
redoing a bathroom and were intrigued by soapstone. Since we rarely slice
vegetables or sauté chickens in our bathroom are the concerns that were
expressed about soapstone moot for us? Or are there other reasons why
soapstone counters would be a bad idea in a bathroom?

Thanks.

question

A client of ours purched White Dreams granite.  When they were cutting the stone the oiled the machine and 5 drops got on the stone going unnoticed till they installed it.

 

Have tried 4 times with the standard poltis and are still there.  Now can you help or recommend someone who can look at it as an ousider and tell us what to do to remove the spots.

 

 

Linda Hastings
Showroom Manager

question?new granite

Hello,

 

I have just paid the $20 via credit card to have the below question sent to industry experts.  How soon will I get replies?  I need to make decision on my granite choice right away.

 

Question:

 

Hello,

 

I saw a granite slab today that I have never heard of.  I was told it is new from Brazil.  It was called "Matrix" and was black & dark gray in an even all over (rounded) wavy design.  At a glance it resembled black velvet or moire fabric. The movement of the pattern within the stone is very different from anything I have seen.  It is more consistent also.

 

Have you heard of this granite? Is it as dense as other solid black stones.  I am interested in using it for kitchen counters.  I did the lemon test and it passed with flying colors but I am cautious because I cannot find any information on it and it looks nothing like anything I have seen or heard of.  I was also told it was more than double the cost of most other granites. 

 

Any information would be appreciated. 

 

thanks,

Lori Cole

questions

Maurizio,

I have several questions that I believe you can
answer--I have paid Findstone the $5 for your contact
info and then saw your webmail link on the site--How
do I pay for your advice at this time? Please let me
know as soon as possible. The forum at Findstone is
great and I appreciate your knowledge and your
willingness to share for a reasonable price...

Situation:

We are building a new home in San Antonio, TX.
We are the general contractors.
We want the beauty of stone but would like to make
wise choices before we purchase.

General Questions:
1. Do you know anything about the quality of products
offered by BuildDirect.com? We are looking at
Travertine tile and perhaps granite from them. They
sell "Agra" and "Tiana" brand granite.

2. Any input on the supplier Code Impex
(www.codeimpex.com) ? They have travertine and marble
and limestone.

3. Any input on www.stonelocator.com and their
products? travertine tile specifically.

4. Is there any difference in quality between products
sold as Italian travertine and Turkish Travertine or
Mexican Travertine? Both BuildDirect and Code Impex
are produced in Turkey and someone had told me it was
inferior and that is why it is cheaper.

Counter Questions:
1.Is there a granite kitchen countertop that is highly
resistant to major wear and tear (heat cold spills
etc).

2.How do travertine and marble and limestone perform
in bathroom counters--is one better? seal or no seal?
any risk with very hard water?

3.Do you have any information (realizing that you may
not) on how granite counters compare with stained
concrete counters in the kitchen?

4. Do you have any supplier recommendations for
granite kitchen counters? and travertine slab /
limestone slab/ marble slab suppliers for counters?

Floor Questions:
1.Is a matte finish (honed or brushed or tumbled)
travertine indoor flooring durable and easy to
maintain? What is involved in keeping it looking nice?
I have heard the widest range possible on this
subject.
2. Do you have any supplier recommendations?
3. Is there any risk to the stone in putting in a
heated radiant floor underneath the stone that will be
intermittently turned on?

Shower/Bath Questions:
1. Is travertine a good choice for showers and baths?
should it be polished or honed?
2. Are there any special installation/preparation
steps or considerations compared to ceramic tile?
3. How do you care for such stone tiles?
4. Suppliers?

Thank you for your time and please let me know how I
can reimburse you for your assistance.

Best Regards,

Derek Guillory

Honed Granite

Hi, I've been reading your forum and I have honed black absolute granite marble countertops which showed every little fingerprint, yet completely wipeable, but we felt like a slave constantly wiping the fingerprints (as your forum talks about), when wiped though it always looked fabulous.  We were not knowledgeable enough and applied a sealer because we stupidly thought that it would help.  And as your forum states we have a big situation on our hands now, from what I've read on your forum, we should NOT have sealed it, there are wipe marks as it is removing the sealer as we wipe and there are rings from margaritas etc.  From what I understand in your forum, this hone granite should not have been sealed, we should have used a color enhancer instead right?  I have also read that we need to strip the sealer off and then apply the color enhancer.  If I am right so far, here are my questions:

Is honed absolute black good at resisting stains from acids if just enhanced or is glossy absolute the only absolute that resists acid stains? 

Would it be possible to have someone come in a strip the sealer, then get rid of the honed finish and bring it up to a glossy finish or is that too big of a job to do in my house? 

Is a medium honed finish (in between honed and glossy) better than honed? (Meaning resists acids and less maintenance)

Last questions:  If I strip it enhance it and leave it honed, how often do I RE-enhance it, and do I strip the old enhancer first before RE-enhancing it in the future?

If I have it brought up to a glossy finish do I have it sealed? or do I never do anything to glossy absolute?From what I read on your forum, I should have chosen glossy absolute which sounds impervious to acids and maintenance right? 

Zach

Questions about Verde Butterfly

We have looked around and like very much the coloration of Verde Butterfly granite.  Is this a good choice for a kitchen countertop?  Should it be sealed and is it particulary bad at showing water stains?  Are there any tips to selecting a slab of this type?  Thanks.

 

Nancy Archer Yanochik

Granite Sinks

I am looking into possibly purchasing a granite sink. I wanted to know the pros and cons of granite sinks.

 

Thanks,

Roshelle

granite guestions

Aloha,

 

I am at a point of ordering my granite countertops for my kitchen.  I would like your opinion on Tropical Green and Tan Brown as far as stains and maintenance go? 

If one or both require sealers would you please recommend one.  Since I am in Hawaii everything takes time to get here so I need to order the sealer as soon as possible. 

 

Also how would I order your maintenance guidelines or water stains publications?

 

Thank you so much for your web site.  I was feeling quite overwhelmed with this project and your web site helped me to gain some knowledge on granite. 

 

 

advise on Granite stone fabrication

Dear Sir/Madam:

I am willing to pay your $20 fee for the advise. Let me know when to pay.

 

I am requesting for your advise and want to thank you in advance for your time and effort. We recently decided to remodel our kitchen to make it more modern and look pretty as well as easy to clean and maintain. We chose to replace the old laminated countertops with Granite. We contacted a fabricator to come and give us an estimate. Fabricator came and measured our kitchen countertops and gave us an estimate. We picked the stone from the fabricator's warehouse and signed a contract to get granite countertops to be installed in our kitchen. We paid 50% ($2600) in advance and the rest to be paid at the completion of the job.  Lay out of kitchen is included as a file attachment with this letter.

On the day of installation, we noticed that the large piece (see figure) had a joint (seam) in the front, close to the entrance of the kitchen. First of all we were shocked to see the seam; we were never told that there would be a seam. Looking at the design of my kitchen any one can see that seam is not necessary, each piece is independent. The large piece is less than 10.5 feet long. I was told average piece of Granite slab is about 12 feet long. Secondly, we were shocked to see the seam in the front instead of the far end where it would be least noticeable or in the middle where sink is, also least noticeable.

We objected to the seam in the front because esthetically it takes away the beauty, especially when it is right in the front. If seam has to be placed, it should be done in the least noticeable place.

We requested the fabricator to remake this piece and offered him $500.00 extra. Fabricator demanded that we will have to pay $1100.00 if we wanted to have the seam in a different place. He brought to our attention to the fine print on the contract form where it says, Fabricator gets to choose where seams will be placed. We did not notice this when we signed the contract and did not even ask about the seam because of our kitchen layout. We did not even think there would be a seam. During the verbal argument he said you have paid me 50% and I have done 50% of the work, we are even. After several efforts, we were unable to resolve this issue with the fabricator. We decided to go with someone else and get the job done. We found the matching granite and had it installed without the seam.

Once again to our surprise, the fabricator sued us for the remaining money, which includes the back splash work and finishing the countertop. Fabricator's argument is he has the right to place the seam. Our argument is, professionally he should have told us that there is going to be a seam. Any professional will choose to avoid the seam if it is possible. Secondly, if seam is must, professional fabricator will place the seam where it is least noticeable. Remodeling jobs are done to improve the esthetics and quality. Customer satisfaction is more important in remodeling jobs.

I am requesting for your opinion/advice as a professional. I respect your opinion and the time spent. My question is am I right or contractor is right and his practice fits within professional code of conduct. Thanks very much,

Sincerly yours,

Sushil K. Jain

amazon flower granite kitchen countertop

Which one of Maurizio's products would I use to yearly seal a granite
kitchen countertop?

cleaning products

Hi! First time user/inquirer. am looking for a product to clean granite countertops that may have whiskey or coffee stains (backbar) any suggestions?

honed black absolute granite

My contractor sealed my black honed granite with 511 porous plus 
sealer, but it left a residue.  Is it possible to try a color 
enhancing sealant, after I just sealed it with 511 or do I need to 
get some product to take the first sealant off, in order to use a 
color enhancer?

Thank you,
C. Iwata

natural stone maintainance

 

i am writing to find out how to get your guide to natural stone maintainance....

 

my countertops are honed granite - absolute black

Order No.0814051124072752 from CCAvenue

What is the status of my order?  I ordered for Maurizio's "How to shop for
Granite Countertop"
If it is available as a Word or PDF download, where do I have access this
download?

Please reply.

Thanks

Golden Eye

We have just selected a granite called Golden Eye. I'm getting a little nervous because I can't seem to find it anywhere on the web. It looks a lot like Peacock and Ubabtuba with a lot of gold in it. Can you tell us anything about this granite? Is it a true granite? How often should it be sealed?

Thanks!

Kevin

Question(s)

Yes, I need help--especially since I need to make a granite selection soon.  I have seen only the Costa Rosa mentioned on only 2 web sites -- one site stated it was hard, durable...then went on to say that the Costa Rosa has a "tendency" for pitting.  That is all I know about it.  

 

Peggy

scratches on our Absolute Black Granite countertop

I haven't been able to find an answer to my question on your site.

 

We have some scratches on our Absolute Black Granite countertops.  Can this be repaired in the house, or does it have to go back to the shop where we got it to be fixed?

refinishing sandblasted granite counters

we have just moved into a home with sandblasted granite kitchen counters.  we like the tone of the counters when wet.  they are a much richer color.  we also find the rough texture somewhat more difficult to clean.  any advice?  thanks,  (~.~)  LAURIE

removal of oil stain on polished granite in kitch

 

I need help!!

Where can I find a poultice for granite- remove a small oil stain?  At least I can try- and hope it works.  The stain is about the size of 2"x1".

Thanks,

J. in need of help!!

 

Scratch in granite

We just got tan brown granite installed in our Kitchen. We found two scratches in the stone. The installer put the glue and tried to polish it. The scratches are still visible. The company recommended the following:

1. Live with it and get a discount.
2. They will replace partial stone with no guarantee on not damaging the cabinets.

Our concern is will the color match with the new stone? Is it possible to damage the stone?  Is it possible to fix the scratch? Please advice. It's a brand new kitchen.

Thanks,

Daxesh Desai

recycled granite countertops

We are in the process of remodeling out kitchen.  My sister and brother in law are in the process of closing on their home.  The buyers want to remodel the kitchen which consists of black granite countertops and cherry countertops.  They proclaim, "it's too dark".  We are in negotiations regarding uninstalling the countertops and cabinets and wanting to use them in our new kitchen.  We would really like to do it ourselves, with the help of a family contractor.  My question is, how difficult will it be to uninstall the granite?  Do you have any "easy" ideas?

 

Thanks,

Nancy

Removal of Granite Counter Tops

We are renovating a kitchen that has granite counter tops and back
splashes.  We want to remove them and later reinstall them over new
cabinets.  Any advice?  I think they are held in place with silicon
adhesive.

Thanks,
Ed

Regular Cleaning

we have volga blue (there are other names but that is one I remember) granite counter top in our kitchen.  How should I clean them on a regular basis?  Can I use windex or windex with vinegar or 409?  I usually like to use something else besides soap and water.  What do you recommend?

Thanks for your advice,  Ashley

Removing a section of a granit countertop

I am trying to make room for a larger refrigerator and doing so requires me to get about 6 inches cut off the end of my granite countertop.  I think the easiest way for me to do this is to remove a 25" x 50" corner section and bring it in to have a professional cut it.  I can easily remove the granite from the countertop but the section is glued by some means to another granite section.  How can I remove this epoxy which hold together the two granite sections?
 
Thanks,

Removal of granite

I would like to be able to replace my kitchen cabinets, the countertop is a
slab of 3cm granite, which is almost 12 ft long.. is there a safe way to
lift the granite to allow for new cabinets to be installed?



Sara

REMOVING GRANITE BENCH TOPS

HI THERE

 

I AM IN THE PROCESS OF RENOVATING MY KITCHEN AND NEED TO REMOVE THE GRANITE BENCHTOPS TO REPLACE THE CABINETS. I ALSO NEED TO CUT ONE OF THE TOPS TO ALLOW FOR ADJUSTMENTS.WHAT IS THE BEST WAY OF SEPERATING THE TOPS AT THE JOINTS IN ORDER TO REMOVE THEM. AND WHAT SHOULD I BE USING TO JOIN THEM AGAIN ONCE THEY ARE PUT BACK.WHAT DO I USE TO CUT THE GRANITE.

 

THANKS

TREV

Removing granite benchtops

Hello. I wish to renovate my kitchen cupboards but keep the existing granite benchtops. No-one is interested in removing the benchtops because of fear of breaking the slabs. They appear to be glued in place by blobs of a brown and white substance ( which is rock hard ) placed at intervals along the supports.  Can you advise on anything that might dissolve the glue to enable easy removal? The slabs are glued together on the top with the same colour. Hope you can help - thanks. Jane

Removing stains from granite

Dear Maurizio, thanks god and you I found your
website.
Just few days ago I have installed granite kitchen
counters. It's absolute black from Angola I think.
Yesterday my dishwsher flooded and during cleaning up
the mess I put dishes and towel soaked in dishwashing
liquid on the granite top. Now I have gray stains all
over my granite. I think my wife is gonna hate me if I
won't fix this problem. The dishwashing granules I
used contains 690g/kg Alkaline salts.
Can you help me please.
Thank you very much.
Serge

removing stain from granite

My husband was installing a granite top for an outdoor kitchen.  He left some stained redwood on top of the counter before it was sealed and it stained.  What is the best way for us to remove this?  The granite is blanco something or other.  It is gray, white, black, beige more or less all speckled together.

Many thanks for your help.

Dolores

Removing stains

Where can I purchase poultice or paste that will draw out the oil from the stone of granite countertops.

 

Many thanks

AVL

request for do & don'ts link

HI I have looked for a link to get your do's and don'ts at the bottome of the page & find nuthing can you send it to me so that I can be informed.

I will be putting granite in for counter tops & hoping I am making a good choice a lot opf pro's & cons on everything.

thank you so much,

Donna

Resin treated granite

 

I am in the middle of an installation and stopped the work. When my new counters arrived I noticed that the edges, were a substantially different color than the tops, much lighter.  The stone is called Red Tobacco which I purchased from Arizona Tile in Phoenix, AZ.  

 

Here's the explanation I am getting from the fabricator and Arizona Tile:

The fabricator says this is worst case he has ever seen.  I should have be told that this is granite was a resin treated stone. Which means according to him, that at the quarry it was "cooked" and then resin was applied to darken the stone to make it more saleable, a better color.  The process involved grinding it to a 400 grit, baking it to remove all the water, applying resin which soaked in to replace the water at least on the surface and then cooking it again to seal it up and darken the stone.  So when you work/grind  the edges one loses the darker color and you see the natural stone color which in my case is MUCH lighter. So I have a dark brown top surface with a very light tan looking edge. It looks like two different stones. They applied some "aging" agent, it darkened it slightly you have to look hard to see any difference (not in the picture).  They say there is nothing they can do and I should have been told that this would happen because this was a resin treated granite.

 

Here's what Arizona Tile says:

Arizona Tile say it no big deal and every fabricator should know how to take care of this. That they, Arizona Tile have the products to darken the edges and make it right. They did not respond to the comment that I should have been told that this would occur when the granite was edged. Or say much else.

 

Yes, it is that different almost white VS brown!!!

 

My questions:

Who's right?

Can this be fixed?

Should they have told me this was resin treated granite and I would lose color on any surface that was worked?

Is what the fabricator described an accurate description of the process of darkening the color of a stone?

What are the down sides of this kind of stone assuming it exists as stated by the  fabricator? 

Should the fabricator have known the stone was resin treated and told me this would happen, he was present when I picked out the slabs?

 

I would appreciate any answerers you can supply. I don't know who to believe or trust.

 

Sincerely,

Roger Gerson

 

Request for Granite Brochure

Dear Maurizio:

 

Please e-mail me the mailing address where I might request and send a payment for your brochure that describes the care and maintenance of granite floors and countertops.  I have been reading your advice column online which is quite helpful and remember that this brochure describes the "lemon juice test" that can be conducted. 

 

I would like to send a check to purchase the brochure, but only remember that the cost was approximately $17.00.  Is this the exact amount I should send?  If not please let me know in your e-mail what amount I should send.

 

Thank you in advance for your attention to my request.

 

Terri Leal

 

restore marble wall

Hello: I recently installed a marble wall using 12X12 pieces. I had to make several cuts, and in doing so, I used a black marking pen to indicate my cut lines. After installation, I tried wiping the surface clean with water but found it to be time consuming (I did 4 large marble walls and had many cuts). In an effort to do the cleaning "faster and better" I used a solvent that removed the polished surface. Needless to say, after several wipes and realizing what I did, I stopped. I would like to repair the finish to its original luster. Can you help me with suggestions. What tools do I need? I am not adverse to buying a sander and or other equipment. Also, we are in the process of renovating our home. I have a good reasonable source for marble and granite. I would like to do my own cutting and polishing of the edges. I have a very good wet saw for cutting but do not have the foggiest idea of how to polish and round edges. Can you help me find a good educational source for "fabrication", and a source for professional supplies. My sincere thanks! Leon Friedman.

Rodding

When is it necessary to rod granite kitchen countertops?  Should it be done as a routine installation procedure?

Rosa Limbara

 

I had Rosa Limbara work surfaces installed in my kitchen three weeks ago.  I did not realise that granite stained so easily.  I set a bottle of oil on the surface while I was cooking and did not realise that some had seeped out onto the surface.  I don't know how long it had been sitting there (maybe an hour) but when I cleaned up there was a dark ring underneath.  When I phoned the granite company to ask what to do about it I was told that once a stain got into the granite there was nothing that could be done to take it out!  I was very distressed and have spent the Christmas period covering the surface in mats and trivets and wiping up after everyone obsessively!!!  I wish someone had told me before I spent a lot of money buying a surface which is totally impractical in a kitchen!!!  I have read about poultices and treatments but have also read that acetone will damage the surface.  I am terrified to damage my new granite any further.  Can you help?? 

 

Nervous.

santa cecilia granite

I have santa cecilia dark granite on my kitchen counter tops. It was sealed by the installer and has not had stains, etc.   However, my husband used some liquid dishwasher detergent on it, and now it has smudges and is "hazy" and streaked.

How can this be removed and should it be sealed again?

What should we do?

Thank you, Glenda W.

Scratch in a Granite/Marble Table top

Hi,

I was online looking for some help on how to treat a scratch I have on my granite/marble coffee table and came upon your site. I was reading some on the responses that you gave and they were great!

 

I was hoping you could help me. I have a long scratch, that is a bit deep at one end, of my granite/marble coffee table. I believe it is granite but I a not 100% sure. It is a beautiful table but the scratch run right across the middle. Is there anything I can do to get rid of it? It is a multi-color brown/tan/white top. Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

Sherri

Rosewood Granite

I had Rosewood granite installed in my new home.  I was attracted to the
lighter nature of this granite and the varying colors as well as "quartz
like" areas.  Now, after 5 mo. I have notice more black areas appearing thru out the kitchen.  I know I am not crazy and dreaming this up.  The black blotches are most noticable in those "quartz like" areas.  What is this and what can I do to prevent more? Tina

question about australian sealant

    Hello all.
I am almost about to move into a newly built house. I was recently at a home show and this product from Seal America was being displayed. (sealamerica.com)

They says it's a patented nanoseal technology sealer from Australia. www.nanotec.com.au. is the web site.

The examples he had of beading up and non-slip treatments were impressive.
He also says it will work great on granite. But I've always heard to be careful of what you put on your granite. I have delicatus and maron cohiba.

Have any of you heard of this product or have had this applied in your home on cement, tile, grout, granite, etc?

The product was so impressive I would like to use it, but I don't want a long term problem if applied.
It's suppose to be non-detectable even on tile. It does not darken the cement or applied surface.

Thank you,
Deb

scratches

I have Andes Black granite counter tops. My son made two spots that look like scuff marks using the green side of a Scotch Brite sponge. Is there anyway I can treat these spots to restore the shine. I f I can't do it myself, can a professional fix the spots. Thank You.

Barb Lettween

Sealer needed?

Hi,  I have Cafe Bahia (Bahia Brown) granite and Giallo Imperial granite counter tops.  Should I use an impregnating sealer like Miracle Sealant 511 on either of these?  What about a Sealer/Enhancer?  I couldn't find an answer I could clearly use in my searching/reading the 8650 questions/answers on your website.

 

Thanks in advance for your answers!

 

Bruce Wallace

 

scrathes

I just bought granite for my kitchen counter top and it has some scrathes on it how can I rapair it?

seal remover and granite cleaner

Dear sirs:

 

After finishing a granite tile counter, I cleaned the grout residue with a mix of water and vinegar as indicated in the grout manufacturer's directions.  After it dried I proceeded to seal it with AQUA MIX,Enrich 'N' Seal.  After having done this and installing additional lighting under the counter, I can now see that the grout was never cleaned how it should have and that there are numerous areas on the tile covered with a dull coating, which I imagine is part of the grout that never cleaned or a reaction between the sealer and whatever leftover grout was on it.   Could you please tell me if there is a solution that would remove the enricher seal and leftover grout?  Thanks for your help.  Marie 

Sealer .... guidelines

Was wondering how I purchase your sealer.  The way I understand it, I can download your guidelines for free when I purchase your products?  Will that be enough to seal 46 sq ft of chestnut granite tile?

I have a few questions also, which I understand I may have to pay to get
answered.  We purchased 62 cm chestnut granite tiles for our countertops.  I see in the forums that the typical answer to questions on butting tile is that you should not.  It seems to me that the reason is that grout and silicone would eventually fail and water would ruin the installation.  Can we butt them together if we fill the cracks with clear knifegrade polyester resin? If not, can you explain why this installation would fail?

sealer question

I have a granite countertop with undermount sink.  The sealer that was used between the stainless steel and the granite is awful ...dark, moldy-looking.  How can I improve it?

sealing granite and marble

 saw your informative page on the web.  I just had a couple of questions.  For our kitchen counter we went with Brazilian Brown granite tiles.  I saw where you mentioned the lemon test to see if they needed sealing, but could not find the lemon test.  Could you forward that to me please.  I did accidentally leave some oil on the countertop once and I believe it absorbed some into the granite.

We have manmade marble bath countertops.  From what I read on your website it seems they do not need sealing, correct.

On tile floors does the grout need sealing?

Thanks a lot, Jim

Sealing Cleaning Recommendations

Maurizio, having some uba-tuba installed next week.  Any recommendations on sealing (how often etc.) and cleaning. What products do you have that I could order to maintain my "granite"?

sealing dark granite in kitchen

Maurizio,
I went to your site for advice and found it extremely informative!  Our
counters are about 6 years old and still look nice.  My wife and I
disagree on whether or not to seal.  She's heard that the seal might
yellow over time and you can't remove it.  She's especially concerned
because the kitchen has lots of skylights and high windows, so the sun
beats on the counters intensely.  I think it s/b sealed for protection,
especially around the sink.  I believe the common name for our granite
is Dakota Mahogany.  It's dark - overall lots of brown, reddish-brown,
gray, and black so it doesn't stain easily.  What do you recommend?
thank you, Craig 

sealing granite

Hi,

We had a granite kitchen counter installed last week, and the installers said that they sealed it.  However, we have noticed a lot of absorption of liquids into the granite.  I was under the assumption that if it was sealed, liquid would bead rather than be absorbed.  We've had no luck with getting answers from the granite contractors, so I'm hoping that you have some advice.  If they did seal it, could I damage the granite in any way by sealing it again?  Or will it actually still absorb liquid, even if it's sealed?

Thanks,

Becky

Sealing Granite counter top - Giallo Jasmine

Dear sir,

 

We recently installed new kitchen and bathroom granite counters.

The installer told us the stone is named Giallo Jasmine, and had sealed the granite after installation with 511 Inpregnator.

 

Can you tell us if the stone requires sealing in the 1st place?

 

And if so, do we stick with the 511 product, or can we switch to something else down the road?

 

Your advice is much appreciated.

 

Thank you

rgds

Jyh

 

sealing granite

I just had a granite countertop installed called Paradiso.  I'm not sure if it should be sealed and if it should what type of sealer do you recommend and where can I get it.  Also, what is the best cleaner for the granite.  Thanks for any help.

seams

We just had granite countertops installed (uba tuba) its beautiful. My question is can the installer make a seam look almost unnoticeable by buffing or polishing. How much of a seam should be seen?

sealing service

What should I expect to pay to seal approximately 90 SF of granite countertop?

Thank you,

David K. Turner

selecting granite for dining table top

We recently completed a kitchen remodel.  We used rosewood granite for the countertops and love them so much we are interested in using granite for our kitchen table.   We used cherry for cupboards and trip with wall colors being cherry chocolate red and toupe.  What would be a good complimentary color, non porous for this use?   We would like the table to be appx 70in by 45 in.   What would be good support for this heavy table?

 

-Leann Gotschall  O'Neill Nebraska

 

purchased countertops from Lincoln Nebraska

Would like to have table made asap, need to select base for table yet.

 

Thank You!

Selecting granite

We are about to select a granite for kitchen countertops.  After reading your website, it seems a lot of "granites" aren't really granite at all.  Assuming we cannot rely on some people to be trustworthy and/or honest, how can we ascertain what stone is REALLY granite?  Is there a website you could recommend?  Three of our current favorites are Lady Dream, Yellow River, and Madura Gold.  Are THEY really granite?  Are any of them more prone to staining?

Thanks,

Debra

Shivakashi

Dear Sir/Madam:

Three years ago we remodeled our kitchen and found findstone.com very
helpful in advising on granite and the care of it.  We tested a stone
called Imperial White and were very disappointed with the stain
results.  In reading your site, weeks later, we find out it is one of
the worst choices for kitchen counter.  We installed a very dark (not
grey) Blue Pearl and loved the results.  A beautiful stone.

Now we are in a new home and are stuck with dark cherry cabinetry so
Blue Pearl is not an option.  We are considering Shivakashi for our
kitchen counters.   I have concerns, because it is so light, that it
may stain easily, much like the Imperial White.  Would appreciate any
info you can give on the granite.  If sealing is required, how often?

Thanks,

RB

Shine Problem

I recently had granite called Giallo Antico installed in our kitchen. I noticed that a stain slowly appeared after water was left standing on it. I sealed it with a granite sealer and let it dry for 24 hrs but did not wipe the surface before using polish. Now there appears to be a slight film on the surface that dulls the shine. I buffed, and buffed but it didn't get any better. Should I remove the polish and start over, or must I wait for what I did to be undone? I just want that granite "shine" that attracted me to the surface in the first place. It did shine better before I messed with it so what can I do? Please help. Also, if there is anyone in my area you can recommend to fix it if I can't, please let me know.

 

Johahn

shower walls

I am interested in using natural stone in my new shower, but I keep
getting conflicting advice.  Are you familiar with the thin natural
stone products, such as ThinStone, Litestone, Soterra, or Granite
Transformations?  It seems to me that these products will give me the
beauty of natural stone without the weight of 2cm slabs and without
the grout lines of granite or marble tiles.  Some contractors,
however, are telling me that natural stone is not a good choice for a
shower because of the porous nature of the material.  Then why have we
seen tile in showers for years?  They say that it will require sealing
at least every six months, and that the natural pores and fissures may
wear down or chip off.  I just don't like the look of those man-made
slabs of plastic, especially when I intend to use natural stone on my
vanity top and floor.  Must I settle for man-made in the shower?

Laura

Should I Use a Sealer on Honed Cambrian Black Gran

Hi,

We just had honed Cambrian Black granite installed in our kitchen - we love it so far.  It has not been sealed, and from what I read on your web site, it sounds like we should not use a regular sealer on this product.  First off, is that right?  If so, should we seal it at all?  If so, what product should be used?  Our builder is recommending the typical impregnator/sealer.  Please advise.  Thanks,

 

Katherine

Silver Sparkle Granite?

Hi:

I am about to install countertops for a new kitchen.  I had gone to a
distributer to look at the granite slabs and was shown a sample of a tile
that is called Silver Sparke.  I was looking up some information and saw
your granite chart.  However, I have not seen the color "silver sparkle"
listed there and was wondering if it is granite as I was told by
distributer.  I happen to like that color very much but I also want to know
that I an going to get what I am paying for.  The color is a gray with
silver sparkles.  Could you please advise.

Thank you.

IL

Slippy Floors

Hi good morning
I am working out in Nigeria where a lot of the flooring is made of granite, we have just opened a new office and the floor area is really slippy and we are concerned that someone is going to have a serious accident if we don't do something about it. Can you recommend or supply any chemical or abrasive pads to roughen up the surface slightly to remove the high gloss finish so we can reduce the possibility of someone slipping.

Look forward to your response.
Thanks

sink

I noticed your posting below and I too have a similar granite counter and am searching for a black sink.  I'm fine with most any material, including granite composite or even black cast iron.  However, I'm having trouble locating a sink that will fit in the pre-cut granite hole.  The sink I need must be 31.5 Wide by 20.75 Deep (front to back) to fit into the current hole.  I'm interested in knowing how the query below was answered and also if you can point me toward any source where I can find a sink.

Thanks!

David J. Martin

soapstone

This question is directed to Maurizio.I need help FAST!!  I am going to have new kitchen countertops put in, in about 3 weeks. The stone fabricator I am using is EXCELLENT, as was his father before him, they have been in business here for 50 years.  I have chosen soapstone from Brazil, but as I am still waiting for cabinets, nothing has been done.  I have a sample of the soapstone, and it is beautiful and I have been trying to have my three kids eat on it, but it is not a very big sample (due to weight, I'm sure) so not sure if I'm getting the effect.  My fabricator also suggested uba tuba granite..which I really liked the colors of.  It was an excellent stone sample also.  I love the fact that soapstone is an old authentic countertop in New England.  I also have a southern long-leaf heart pine wide plank floor which I love the look of.  I wanted soapstone because it is such an impervious stone, different than most people's, has a long history here in America and I don't mind the oiling.  ( I stained and Tung-oiled the floors myself).  But I must confess, after reading some of your comments here, I'm not sure if you recommend it or not.  I admit to actually potentially liking the shiny look of the granite, but it feels kind of like a "cop-out" since granite is EXTREMELY popular here right now.plus, soapstone feels much warmer to me.  One of my concerns is that you have stated it "always looks dirty".  There is a store here that has soapstone counters that are gorgeous but it is a retail store, and they are obviously not cooking or wiping it down (probably just dusting it once in a while, as it is still rather grey and not black-they have stated they have never oiled it).  Being as both stones will be good quality from my guy, (he says it's my decision) is there concrete reasons for picking one over the other?  Or mostly just aesthetics?  I would hate to obviously have regrets.  I have not seen actual soapstone in a kitchen application since my days in New England (16 years ago.)...but Easterners seem to love it.  I LOVE things that looks old and worn (NOT grubby..things like 300 year old floors, or 600 year old travertine tiles.you know), but again, I don't want something that looks like a disaster, but I hate to just be one of the crowd.  Do I need to pay?  I have not gotten any prompts to pay.please help me (will gladly pay, but am on a strict timeline if I decide to gulp-change my mind!) 

Sincerely,

Aimee

 

soap stone cleaning

dear Mike,

   We recently purchsed a home with soapstone countertops . The home is less than a year however the lady that owned it let the stone go oiling it rarely. I had granite and am used to treating it with windex etc. I have 4 young children and can not oil my countertops once a week but maybe that is what it needs to bring it back?? So what can I do to bring it back ?? Will it always get water spots no matter  what? What is a good cleaner to use on in it everyday?Thnaks so much sarah

Some help for Black Granite polishing

Please  for help from Mr.Maurizio (or anyone who can help).

 

I try to become a professional granite craftsman so i decide to ask experts.

My problem is that with polishing nero assoluto(absolute black), nero africa, and specialy with star galaxy(glack galaxy granite). I try to remove deep scrathes and use grids 50,120,220,400,800,1500,3600,BUFF in wet diamond disks. I do not have automatic slab polishing  machines and radial arm does not gives me the best result. The problem is that the polished look that my granite slabs provider is something I can not get in every way!. In my attempt the surface looks more physical, more "Black" from the factory polished surface (not burned by overpressure or heating during the griding), but not shiny as it comes from the factory. I asked a lot of "specialists" (abrasives salesmen). I tried a lot of methods (high or low grider speed,water sandpapers) but tha final result is "like" the original surface but not the same. I think something chemical (like oxalic acid for marble) is missing. Is thereIs there any way i can get the same polishing degre.? What  tin oxide does? Is BUFF usefull? Are dimand powders usefull? What the fu.. have automated slabs polishing machines that we can not use by hand?

Too many questions? Ok let them.... unanswered...

But please... 

What do you suggest? Please analyze me the whole procedure as detailed as you can please tell me  product names and brands that you have use and had the best result.

 

Thank you Very much Mr.Maurizio

Marinis M. Greece