Help for sealig (resealing?) slab granite counters

[sTWOc]

I just had 100 sq feet of a very nice slab installed on my kitchen counters.

The granite was a Coloniel Gold. It seems to be very porous, before sealing a drop of water seems to instantaneously darken the spot on the slab.

The fabrication and installation was top notch... but I think they didn't do me any favors with the sealer. When installing, they literally poured onto the counters a liquid sealer of some sort, and then immediately spread it with a rag and then wiped it off. Voila, done.

The next day - I see that while the water doesn't absorb quite as quickly, it does still absob and darken after a few seconds sitting on the counter.

I decided I should seal it propertly... went to home depot and found that the exact sealer the fabricator had installed sold for about $7/quart at HD, the cheapest one they had there.

Questions.

1 - How best do I go about sealing this properly from here? Can I remove the first sealer and then re-apply a newer, higher quality sealant? What are the do's and don'ts?


My second problem. When installed, there looked to be a unnatural color marking on the stone, it looked like a stain to me, and was a bit of a pink color ring on the ivory stone. Before any sealant, he applied acetone to the stone which did nothing. Then, he put "Comet" and water on the spot, again nothing. He claims it is a natural color of the stone, since neither of those things even lightened the spot. Of course, that spot has been sealed as well with teh cheap-o sealant. Is it in there forever now? Any way to try other stain removing methods?

Thx in advance... we love the counters, but don't want to be so paranoid about them every day...

-Chris

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[GraniteGirl]

Hi Chris

A lot of stones need sealer applied again and again (and sometimes again and again) because they are porous. Don't buy the stuff from HD. Get something good from a reputable stone specific supplier. A good wipe down with acetone should take care of the sealer you have on your stone now.

Successful applications of sealer have to happen in intervals of about 24 hours to give each application sufficient time to dry.

If applying the sealer yourself, follow the directions on the bottle faithfully and buff off the excess dilligently. You do not want any of that stuff sitting on the surface. It will streak and smudge and give all kinds of trouble.

As for the suspicious mark: Hold off sealing before we found out what it is.

Could you post pictures of it? Does it feel different from the rest of the stone? If you look at it against the light at an angle, does the shine break over the spot at all?

[doitright]

Hi Chris, Welcome! :)

What Adrianna said. :nod:

Most important would be to post a photo if possible.

[sTWOc]

I will try to post a pic this weekend.

The sealant used was from Miracle Sealant and called "Tile & Stone Penetrating Sealer". I searched the web for info on this, and even found Miracle's website - but no mention of this product, only their 511 line.

I had read last night that there are certain risks of putting changing varieties of sealants... will the acetone make it a non-issue? I just want to be very very cautious and not risk any discoloration to this stone.

Thx.
Chris

[doitright]

I decided I should seal it propertly... went to home depot and found that the exact sealer the fabricator had installed sold for about $7/quart at HD, the cheapest one they had there.
-Chris

I will try to post a pic this weekend.
The sealant used was from Miracle Sealant and called "Tile & Stone Penetrating Sealer".

:confused: Was it any of these products? Sealers at Home Depot (http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/ProductCatalog/TileStoneCare/PenetratingSealers/?user=pro&lang=en)

There's a big difference!

[sTWOc]

Was it any of these products? Sealers at Home Depot

There's a big difference!

Unforunately, no. It's a product from Miracle Sealants, same maker of the 511 line, but only this one is $7/quart at HD. Here's a picture:
http://groups.msn.com/HomeRemodel/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6

Any guidance on how to remove this and reseal would be very much appreciated.

As for the suspicious mark: Hold off sealing before we found out what it is.

Could you post pictures of it? Does it feel different from the rest of the stone? If you look at it against the light at an angle, does the shine break over the spot at all?

After looking at the photos, the picture really shows just how unnatural the color is compared to the rest of the slab.

The stain is very smooth to the touch, no noticable variation.

Here's a few picture of the full slab for context:
http://groups.msn.com/HomeRemodel/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=4
http://groups.msn.com/HomeRemodel/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5

Now close ups of the purple stains:
http://groups.msn.com/HomeRemodel/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=2
http://groups.msn.com/HomeRemodel/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=3
http://groups.msn.com/HomeRemodel/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=7
http://groups.msn.com/HomeRemodel/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=8

Again, any help here identifying what this might be and how to remove it.

Also, keep in mind that the sealant referred to above was applied on this. (and acetone did nothing on it even pre-sealant).

Thanks a ton.
-Chris

[GraniteGirl]

Did anybody do some plumbing work with pvc/cpvc pipe after the kitchen was installed?

The marks look suspiciously like the color of purple primer (or maybe grape soda?) and one of the marks actually looks like the bottom end of a can.

If it is indeed grape soda, acetone would not have done anything to it.

Try a poultice with some beauty shop grade peroxide to see if it will lift or even just lighten the mark.

Applying acetone on the stone will leave no visible mark to indicate that the sealer was removed. The only way you'll see if your removal of the existing sealer was sucessful, is by an increased rate of absorption of liquids.

[doitright]

Hi Chris :)

Do as Adrianna suggested. If you don't break down the sealer, you won't have access to the stain.

Earlier you mentioned the stains where pink colored, and what we are looking at is purple. It does look like PVC primer (or possibly grape juice). Since these were new tops, it's difficult to assert who or what the culprit is.

You may want to try something different on each stain. For example Xylene on one spot, and the hydrogen peroxide on another. It's possible that the stain has already been "set".

Either way, if the stains can be removed, they will need to be poulticed out. It may take several applications. This is one you may have to live with. :cry:

[sTWOc]

Thanks Adriana and John, I will try your suggestions and give an update.

I will try to peroxide solution... is there some source for detailed instructions on how to apply and try to remove? (i.e. how strong, how long to leave, etc.)

re: the first sealer - am i correct to believe that you recommend acetone to remove this product? And that putting a new product, like Stone Tech, over it will be safe?

Thx.
Chris

[sTWOc]

Continuing my little project...

I talked to Miracle Sealants today. They told me the first sealer used was a solvent based solution, recommended that I follow up using their 511 Impregnator product as a safe compliment.

The site doesn't let me search on "511" for some reason - so any help on whether this is a good product that provide good sealing power?

Second - the marble installer on my entry-way also put the 511 product on a polished marble stone and left a sealant residue. Miracle tech support recommends using their "residue remover". I don't think it's an acid based product... any insights here as well?

Thanks a ton, this has been very very helpful thus far.

[GraniteGirl]

Solvent based sealer residue is removable by wiping with a solvent based sealer :idea:

Try wiping the streaky marble with the 511 sealer (it is a decent product). The streaks should go away with some elbow grease. Be sure to buff off the remaining sealer thoroughly to prevent the streaks from recurring. The streaks are caused by excess sealer drying on the surface of the tile.