How to Remove Etch Damage from Improper Cleaners on a Marble Shower

Q.  I just finished putting in a new black marble shower wall, literally giving it its first cleaning. I had no idea that some bathroom cleaners would immediately etch into the marble finish. Please, for the love of God, tell me there is something I can do. It looks horrible. The damaged area is smooth and covers about 2ft x 1ft of the stone.

A.  Because the etch damage is over such a large surface area, it would not be wise to attempt to remove the etch damage using do it yourself methods. The results would be inconsistent with the surrounding undamaged finish. This is a job for a professional stone restoration contractor. The best case scenario is that your contractor will simply polish out the damage. Deep etch marks usually feel rough, not smooth, so it is safe to assume the etch damage is not very deep. The worst case scenario is that your contractor will need to hone the stone to remove the damage, and then polish to match the surrounding finish. Either way, the problem can definitely be resolved and you do not need to replace the stone you just worked so hard to install. If you do not have a professional stone restoration contractor, contact us to find a vetted, reputable PRO near you.