Q. When I am polishing with a powder the marble gets a dull, wavy appearance and sometimes looks rough and dimpled. What’s going on? A. You are describing what is known as "orange peel." Orange peel is the result of using too much acid on the... Read More

The acid has etched your marble, which will now have to be polished or (possibly) honed. Depending on how deep the marble is etched it may require a heavy grinding. Perform a test in a small area to determine what grit diamond will be required. Make... Read More

The condition you are describing is called compression cracking. It is caused by movement of the substrate to which the granite is attached. If the granite tile is set over a plywood floor supported by joists, movement in the floor may be responsible... Read More

There are several possible causes for the pitting. Improper cleaning chemicals and salt deposits can contribute to this condition. Depending on the severity of the pitting, replacement may be necessary. TIP Pitting of granite in this situation is... Read More

It is possible, but very time consuming. In question #120 we figure it would take about 15 minutes per square feet to restore an average granite floor. In the case of flamed granite it may take this long just to grind the tile flat. If the flamed... Read More

The best way is to seal this space with silicone or acrylic caulking. Run a bead around the perimeter of the base. When you are done with the job the caulking should easily peel off or you can leave it in place. CAUTION If you use silicone caulking... Read More

Q: We purchased and had some beautiful light tan/beige marble installed on our master bathroom floor, 42" glass enclosed (2 sides) shower walls and tub enclosure. After five years, where we attempted to keep the shower walls clean, there is a... Read More

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

Step-by-Step Guidance to Achieve a Wet or Polished Look on Slate: 1. Understand the Surface Finish You Have If the slate has a cleft (rough or layered) finish, polishing in the traditional sense is not practical. If the slate has been ground flat... 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