These Marble Countertops Went from Run-Down to Perfect Thanks to Our Stone Honing Experts in Tenafly, NJ

March 01, 2024

Because of its durability and aesthetics, marble is one of the most common materials used for bathroom countertops. This long-lasting natural stone comes in many patterns and has a wide variety of colors and finishes. Most people choose a polished finish for their marble surfaces, but what they often fail to take into account is that it's necessary to give polished marble proper maintenance to retain its glossy appearance.


A homeowner in Tenafly, NJ chose polished marble for her bathroom countertops because she wanted to give them a touch of elegance. The surfaces looked very shiny when they were first installed, but she noticed how the natural stone progressively lost its brightness over time. Frustrated, she asked the housekeeper to try using store-bought acidic products to restore the countertop's former shine. Unfortunately, this only made matters worse. The surfaces became etched and stained. The homeowner didn't know what else to do, so she decided it was best to leave it to professionals. She went online and searched for stone honing experts in Tenafly, NJ. She found our website in the top search results. After she saw the picture gallery of a few stone restoration jobs we had previously done, she called to schedule a free in-home evaluation.

Our experts visited the client's house a few days later to assess the countertops. Upon entering the bathrooms, our techs noticed both of the marble surfaces were not as shiny as they should have been. On top of that, both stone surfaces were severely etched and stained. When they asked the homeowner a few questions to learn about her cleaning routine, she admitted to using acidic cleaners. One of the products was an acid-based toilet bowl cleaner. This helped our crew understand why the surfaces looked the way they did.

Marble contains natural crystals. These crystals provide shine to the natural stone when they reflect light. Most over-the-counter products and acidic cleaners contain substances that can dull, scratch, and even stain these crystals, rendering them unable to reflect light.

Using the wrong cleaner had created devastating results, but luckily Sir Grout Northern New Jersey was there to save the day. Our specialists offered the homeowner a stone honing and polishing service to restore the marble countertops to their former glory. They also offered to seal the countertops with our flagship sealant Stone Armor. The client accepted the proposal and scheduled a date for the job.

A few days later, our crew returned to the client's home to begin the restoration process. They first used a pH-neutral stone-safe cleaner and a high-speed scrubber to thoroughly clean both surfaces. This cleaner also contains properties that prevent mold and mildew growth. Next, they honed the countertops with a low grit diamond pad to remove all the etch marks. They slowly increased the grit to even out the stone surfaces.


The next step was to polish the marble surfaces. To do so, our techs used a low-speed buffer to refinish the stone until it regained its shine. Our experts finished the service by coating the countertops with our proprietary sealant Stone Armor. This product keeps natural stone protected from water, dirt, soap, makeup, and other harmful external agents.

When they finished, our team let the homeowner see the results. She was happy with the now pristine appearance of her countertops. The marble was no longer dull and etched. She thanked our specialists for a job well done and mentioned she would recommend Sir Grout Northern New Jersey to anyone in need of hard surface restoration.

Before leaving, our techs gave the customer some care tips to ensure the natural stone surfaces remained in top condition. They advised her to steer away from acidic cleaners and homemade recipes. Instead, they recommended cleaning the countertops once a week with a pH-neutral stone-safe cleaner like Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner. This product will also help prolong the lifespan of the sealant. Our experts also suggested wiping away excess moisture and debris to avoid stains and scratches. Additionally, they reminded the client of the importance of proper maintenance. Hiring professionals periodically is the best way to prevent severe damage and unnecessary expenses.

When looking to preserve the glossy appearance of your natural stone, regular maintenance is key. Here at Sir Grout Northern New Jersey, we have the necessary tools and expertise to ensure the well-being of your natural stone surfaces. Call us at (201) 571-2424 or fill out the "Schedule a FREE Quote" form on this page to set up a free in-home evaluation today. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with our latest news and promotions.