Q. My honed black granite looks streaky, (from sealer application). How do I remove the sealer or do I need to re-sand the stone? A. You may have to call in a stone restoration professional on this. But first try this: Pour some acetone (the kind you... 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

Q. The unsanded grout used for our shower states it’s not necessary to seal grout. However, I decided to but notice the grout does not bead off the grout joints as I feel it should, even after 2 coats.   A. You may be using a poor quality... Read More

Q. Does travertine pool coping need to be sealed? Can it be dyed? We are not really loving our new travertine pool coping. We love the material but not the color. The stone has a honed finish. We were thinking about putting some kind of dye intoÂ... Read More

Q. Should grout be scraped before a grout color sealer application? I want to put color sealer on top of grout that has already been sealed. Is it necessary to first scrape the clear sealer off of the grout?  A. There is a quick test you can do... Read More

Q. Does grout turn darker when wet and lighter when dry even with color seal? A. Unsealed grout has tiny pores that absorb moisture, which can give unsealed grout lines a darker appearance. Once the moisture evaporates (assuming the moisture is... Read More

Someone recently commented on SurpHaces social media, asserting that Grout Color Sealer cannot be considered a permanent solution. Here is their comment and our response. Comment: Grout Color Sealer is Topical. Will peel or uplift sooner than later.... Read More

Q. My grandson spilled juice on my travertine floor. I used an acid-based cleaner in an attempt to remove the discoloration, causing the floor to etch. There is an area about six square feet around that is very dull compared to the surrounding area.... Read More

Q. I have a polished White Carrera marble floor. A solvent-based enhancing sealer was applied about a week and a half ago. It seeped through the outer edges and darkened the stone. Someone recommended a poultice. I want to try it. Please tell me... Read More

Q. My bathroom needs to be stripped and resealed. The brand new travertine was sealed with a water-based sealant by the contractor, and it has turned the beautiful tile into a mess. I have 160 sq ft on the floor, 100 sq ft on shower walls, and 28 sq... Read More