Stone & Tile Restoration

If you’ve worked on dolomitic marble before, you already know it’s not the same animal as your typical calcite marble. On paper, it looks like marble, feels like marble, and most homeowners call it marble, but when you put a machine on it... Read More

Use a quality stripper/degreaser for marble. Always test the stripper in a small area to make sure there are no adverse effects. Chances are that when all the wax is removed, the marble will appear dull. Let your customer know that there are two... Read More

To repair chips in marble tiles, use a polyester resin and color match to the existing material. If the chip is shallow, the polyester may not stick. It may be necessary to make the chip bigger. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fred Hueston is the author of  Stone... Read More

I would not recommend using bleach on any marble floor as a daily cleaner. Household bleach can cause staining on certain types of marble. Advise your customer to use only a good stone soap or neutral cleaner. TIP: Occasionally, you will see bleach... Read More

These white streaks may be hard-water deposits, which can prove very difficult to remove. Suggest that they try a sulfamic acid-based tile-and-grout cleaner. CAUTION Make sure to let them know to NOT use sulfamic acid or any acids on marble. Acid... Read More

Two Ways to Test Stone Sealer Performance If you want to do a field test to find out whether the sealer on natural stone is performing, you can choose a quick, informal test, no equipment required, or a more scientific test using a Rilem tube. Here... Read More

How Long Silicon Impregnators Last and When to Reapply Many different factors contribute to the longevity of silicon impregnators, including the stone type, porosity, and finish, as well as how much traffic and use the area gets and what kind of... Read More

Do Not Apply a Silicon Impregnator Over a Stain If natural stone is stained, applying a silicon impregnator is a bad idea. The stain should be addressed first. Once the stain is removed, then apply the impregnator. Fred Hueston, Chief Technical... Read More

Applying an Impregnator to a Wall or Vertical Surface It can be challenging to apply an impregnator to a natural stone wall or vertical surface, because gravity causes the product to drip and dribble before it has time to be absorbed. It is no... Read More

What You Need to Know About Applying Coatings Over Silicon Impregnator The most important thing to do when applying coatings is to make sure you are able to achieve proper adhesion.  Fred Hueston, Chief Technical Director of Surface Care Pros and... Read More