Tar stains on my new marble!

[kb7]

You all were there for me when I had problems with the cementboard. Can you help me now?? The plumber came in today to install the fixtures and I noticed when he left that there were some (possible) tar stains from his shoes on the shower curb and on the threshold - Navona Marble, honed, I believe.

I tried removing it with water on a towel, no change, then I tried Orange Clean, or something like that. Still nothing. I just now tried Simple Green with a green scouring sponge. I also tried a razor blade. Nothing is taking it off!! Any suggestions? There isn't a lot of it, but it is brand new and now it looks 5 years old.

Many thanks!

Kay

[Sponsored Links]

[Davestone]

Kay, was the plumber putting in a toilet? I would bet that it's bees wax, and not tar.I know those wax rings are tough to clean off marble, especially if you've ground it in a little bit.Try not to use any more scouring pads,till we figure out what the stain is. :)

[GraniteGirl]

How 'bout a picture?

Don't use the green scrubbies any more :sick: They contain silicon carbide - the same stuff that is in the abrasives we use to fabricate stone. You might end up changing the finish on your stone. Also lay off the Simple Green and Orange Glo - neither of them is good for your marble.

Try this: Take a clean, white rag or paper towel and some acetone and see of you could wipe off the spots. Use a dabbing motion in stead of a wipping motion to minimize further contamination.

If it is tar, the water might have caused it to harden. :bang:

Do these marks appear to be inside the stone or are there gobs and clumps on top of the stone?

Again - a picture would be helpful :cool:

Where would the tar have come from? Are they working on your roof too?

[kb7]

Not today they aren't working on my roof, though while our bathroom was being gutted, we discovered roof leaks. Aargh! We had those fixed, not in the bathroom budget, mind you! Leaked all over the new ceiling...

They did recently blacktop the streets in the area again. Don't know if it is from that... could even be shoe polish. They were heavy-duty workshoes. It isn't a lot, but I see it and would like to remove it. There isn't enough of it to be globbed on top of the marble, just little areas where it looks rubbed in, so to speak.

I'll try to get a photo posted tomorrow afternoon. I'll also try the acetone. Yes, they did put in a new toilet today. Are the wax rings black? I suppose it could be that. Love the toilet, although it's too new to really tell. It wobbles, so I hope they can come back and fix that. (Toto Ultramax Sanigloss)

Thanks for the posts.

Kay

[doitright]

Hi Kay :)

Sounds like you are describing tar. Was he trimming out your shower as well?

As everyone pointed out, pictures would be great! :nod:

You may have also opened up more pores by using the citrus product. Etching may have also occurred.

Let us know what happens with the acetone. The areas may need to be poulticed and rehoned.

[tjm]

1.Do not use water with tar. It will harden the tar and set the stain.Give this a try.2.scrap away any excess tar with a clean dry razor blade.3clean the remaining tar with acetone and a clean white cloth.4if stain still remains poultice with mineral spirits[paint thinner]and poultice power.5if stain is stubborn poultice with de-solvit and poultice powder. I hope this helps.
-

[doitright]

Hi tjm, Welcome! :)

Please give us a first name!

If you are a pro, hop in the Pro Forum and introduce yourself. :shades:

We like to know who's giving advice around here. :nod:

[kb7]

Thanks for the suggestions...the acetone didn't work. Some of it came off with the scrub sponge initially (used before coming here for advice!), but as you all have pointed out, I may have made continued removal more difficult. At least it isn't all clumpy. Am I making too big a deal out of this? I'm actually not as bothered by it as I was initially, it was just my first reaction.

We waited so long to get this new bathroom, I'm not really sure we'll even be able to bring ourselves to use it!! As soon as we start, it'll be the beginning of wear and tear, etc.! ;-) You can see how I reacted with some black "scuff" marks!

I've tried to upload some photos, first time, so I'm not sure if it'll work. When I can, I'll upload a photo of the room.

Thanks,
Kay

[Davestone]

I think they're boot heel marks, especially since the acetone didn't help...i think you're better off using a little honing powder and a damp towel, at this point,they've been pretty well ground in. :bow: :)

[kb7]

Thanks for the tip of using honing powder. Next time I'm at H/Depot, I'll pick some up. If it doesn't come up using that, I'll move on and away from this issue. Maybe the blue Listerine we'll eventually spill in there will distract us!

Thank you all so much for your suggestions!!

Kay

[doitright]

Hi Kay :)

You won't find honing powder at HD, but you could try a few other things. One would be Mr. Cleans Magic Eraser. Another would be to carefully try some soft scrub with bleach on the spot only. Make sure to tape off the surrounding areas. Lastly, some 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper.