This project was a large marble island in Marblehead Massachusetts. The owners noticed some etch marks, the result of acid eating away a layer of the stone’s finish. It was not a polished, glossy finish but a matte, honed finish that looked sleek and elegant. Usually honed finishes are more forgiving by not showing etches as much, but these were noticeable.
Marble is a luxury product, not the cheapest building material. So you might assume due to its expense that it would have some sort of chemical sealer or protective coating to avoid damage from common household chemicals or foods. On the contrary, marble and similar stones are completely vulnerable to etching when it comes into contact with low pH acids.
Clients sometimes send us still photos of their counters and have a hard time capturing the marks, or ‘water rings’ as they sometimes call them. We’ve found that video shows them more clearly, so see the before and after video below to show that they can be removed.
In this case, we were referred by another contractor who specializes in stone protection and sealing. They provide a physical barrier they put on the stone to prevent future acid exposure. Their product is a polymer film for marble countertops that looks and feels very realistic. So after we honed away the acid damage, they installed their film the following day. That way, the client gets rid of the unsightly spots and doesn’t have to worry about them in the future. In conclusion, problem solved! You can see the results below, the ‘after’ look the client was aiming for. Click on the image for the video that shows it better.
If you have these etches on your countertops now and you’d like to get rid of them, feel free to get in touch with us by phone or text at 617-221-4002 We will get you a free, no obligation quote in writing.
Our contact information:
Act One – Marble and Tile
15 Main Street #138
Watertown MA 02472-4403
617-221-4002 Text or Call
