Granite countertop surface marks

[Lahooie]

We just had granite countertops installed today. We ordered black impala and looking at it, it appears to have surface marks similar to water marks throughout the entire countertop. The installer said this is normal characteristics of this granite and they cannot be removed. Is this right? It almost appears to be a film everywhere on the surface. Please reply. Thanks!

[Sponsored Links]

[Mike2]

Hi there Lahooie. I'm not quite sure how to ask this, no offense intended but.....is that a name? ;)

I'm going to move your question over to our Cleaning and Resotration Forum. I think you'll get better coverage over there.

[Lahooie]

No, actually Lahooie is a nickname I've had for years...appreciate referring this to the cleaning, restoration forum. Hopefully someone will have some info there...Lahooie (Linda)

[doitright]

Hi Linda, Welcome! :)

Did your fabricator apply sealer to your granite? :shades:

[Lahooie]

No, they haven't put sealer on. They left yesterday before I got back to the job, so I don't know if they are finished, or will be applying sealer today. (obviously, I have not used granite surfaces before in building homes, I'm a rookie on this subject)...Lahooie

[GraniteGirl]

Hi Linda

Black Impala is a pretty tough stone and not prone to staining or etching. I am hesitant to make a suggestion as to what the marks might be. Personally, I have BI in my home, have not sealed it and it is as shiny and bright as you'd ever want it to be. Is there any way you could post a picture?

Are they circular shapes about the size of a side plate? If that is the case, it might be residue from suction cups used when they moved the slabs at the fabrication shop or at the shop where they surface polished the slabs. Those could be removed with a silicone remover.

Again, it is real difficult to guess what they might be without seeing them. Did you see and approve the slabs before your fabricator cut your kitchen?

Adriana

[Lahooie]

Granite Girl: These surface marks are not in any apparent order as far as them being from the suction cups etc. It looks like a dull area every few inches in the granite. Also the edges of the bull nosing are real dull, not shiny at all. I left a message with the fabricator, but have not had a reply yet. I will go to the house and try to get pics of it today, Im not so sure it will show on a pic since if you look from directly above its nice and shiny, its only from a side angle where you can see all the dull areas of the granite...

[GraniteGirl]

Also the edges of the bull nosing are real dull, not shiny at all. I left a message with the fabricator, but have not had a reply yet.

Dull edges, huh? I recon your fabricator needs some polishing lessons. :idea: As for the other dull spots, a photo would be real helpful.

Adriana

[Brian Briggs]

Dull edges are definately not acceptable. When the come to fix, make sure the do not fix with wax because it WILL wear off. Try using some acetone or denatured alcohol with steel wool on the dull spots of the surface. If it is a residue on the material, this will remove it. Pictures would definately help. :bang:

[Lahooie]

Thank you for replying. I finally took a pic that shows the marks I see when looking at the granite at an angle. Please note that the light area next to the seam is probably dust, an example of the marks that are all over the granite are seen right in front of the window reflection. There are two visible in this pic. They almost look like water marks and are definately etched into the granite surface. Please advise, thank you! :sick:

[GraniteGirl]

Sorry to be picky, but is there any way you could post a bigger picture?

The marks definitely look suspicious, but that small, it is impossible to tell.

Thanks

Adriana

[Lahooie]

Adriana: This pic is the max. size I can post on this forum. They only allow 51 KB and I had to reduce to 48 KB to attach it. I could email you one if you have another email address I can use...
Sorry about the size.
Linda

[GraniteGirl]

Another question: Do the spots feel any different from the rest of the counter? Are they rough or grainy feeling or slick and smooth?

Have you tried gently scraping the spots with a sharp razor blade or wiped them with steel wool with either acetone or denatured alcohol like Brian suggested?

Oh - and has your contractor replied to your message yet?

:D Guess that was a few questions then :D

Adriana

[Lahooie]

Adriana:
The spots are slick & smooth. I have not tried either the razor blade or steel wool w/acetone or denatured alcohol yet. (guess I was a little scared to mess with it before the fabricator gets out to look at it). He called us back finally, but that was tuesday and said he would get out to look at it. (good thing we only paid half down, as he is in no apparent hurry to do so)...
Linda :crazy:

[doitright]

Hi Linda :)

Try cropping your picture to highlight just the spots, and repost.

[Lahooie]

Thank you John for the tip. Here is a close up of a couple of the marks...

[GraniteGirl]

It seems like those might be crystal patterns in the stone itself, since there is no discernable difference in smoothness on the slab. If it were damage or etch marks, you would be able to feel it, as it would have been rougher than the polished face of the slab. (my humble opinion only)

Did your fabricator have you come out and look at, and approve the slabs before he cut your kitchen?

Also, we are very disappointed in the seam they put in. I knew they would have to put a seam in the granite since the island is longer than a 10' length, however, this one is so rough on the edges that by the time they put the epoxy in, it is still rough to the tough and so obvious visually.

The seam definitely should not be rough to the touch either. A good seam should be level, narrow and filled with a color matched polyester glue and should not be as noticable as the one you have. See if your fabricator could work on that seam a bit more to get it less noticable.

Regards

Adriana

[Lahooie]

Adriana:
In reference to your question on whether we approved the slab prior to installation: This is the first time we used granite in a new construction and when I spoke w/them before installation, he mentioned the granite had arrived if I wanted to come look at it. I didn't realize I had the option of approving this slab, and obviously didn't realize the importance of going and looking at it in his shop prior to his date of install...(in hindsight, my stupidity!) So, no, I didn't see it before install. I'll definately be a lot more educated next time though! :) I am calling him Mon. am, to make sure he gets out there to look at these problems this week...
Linda

[Brian Briggs]

I have seen spots like this before on Black Impala, unfortunately it is in the material (atleast everytime I have seen them). The seam definately needs some work, have them repair it.

[Tom McNall]

Those blotches look like part of the stone to me as well. Some look at it as defects, others as beauty marks. I say fingerprints. We are all different and our stone countertops are as well.

[Lahooie]

Thank you everyone for replying and helping me with these questions...
As a follow up, the Fabricator came out yesterday, used some type of penetrating "oil" on the bullnosing, and it came out shiny and new. He claims its not any kind of wax, and will not rub off (time will tell), he worked on the seam, reapplied the dark epoxy, left it a little high and will be back on Friday to get it down to the same level as the granite. So far, it looks WAY better, but again, time will tell. This forum has really great people who are sincere about helping others and "we others" really do appreciate it! Thanks! :yipee:

[Jim Cuviello]

Lahooie,

In no way am I trying to take you from one board were people help to another! All the different boards help in their own way. In the future I would encourage you to return and tell all of your friends about this board! It is worth noting though that there is a group of industry people who are trying to address issues that consumers face when dealing with stone. Take a look at marble-cleaning.net.

DON'T FORGET TO COME BACK TO THIS BOARD AND TELL PEOPLE ABOUT IT!!!!