new granite slab has caulk glob on it

[BlueCanyon]

Hi all.
Two weeks ago our granite slabs were installed, and I just found a spot about 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide where there is a glob of the clear silicone grout on top of the granite counter. I carefully scraped off the glob, but there is still about 1/16" smear of the caulk for the full 2 inches. (It's the clear caulk that they use to but between granite pieces like backsplash and counter junction.)

What should I do to get this off without marring the finish of the slab? I'd like to do this myself, if possible, instead of calling the granite people back because we've had so much trouble with them and their work.

Thanks for the advice and happpy day after Thanksgiving. :yummy:
Mary Ann

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[Stone cutter]

After an installation, I leave a piece of steel wool. It is hard to clean all the calk residue at the time of installation, because the calk is wet. Once it has dried, I advise the customer to scrub the film off with the steel wool. Also a brillo pad will work fine, too.

[Steven Hauser]

Hi there Mary Ann :),

Chris's answer is fine, just don't use a green scrubbing pad on the counter.

another way is to rub the area with your finger, the friction will remove any residue. Then clean the counter with a neutral ph spray cleaner.

:)

[Stone cutter]

Why no green scrubbing pad, that seems odd.

[Steven Hauser]

Hi Chris,

The green scrubbing pad is an abrasive stiff enough to scratch quartz and feldspar. The stuff in a lot of mercantile granites.

:)

[Stone cutter]

Brillo scraching quartz??, maybe feldspar if in a big field, like in Labradorite, if you scrub for about a week in the same spot. Sorry, to much info.

[GraniteGirl]

The green pads contain silicon carbide - that is the reason they are so effective. Silicon carbide is also the reason why those gray cupwheels shape granite so nicely. An overly zealous scrubbing with a green scrubby pad will mar the surface enough to cause a dull spot.

[Steven Hauser]

Thanks Adrianna.

[GraniteGirl]

Hey Steven! :wave:

You folks had a super Thanksgiving, I hope?

[Steven Hauser]

We took yesterday off but were wide open today. :confused: :D

[BlueCanyon]

Thanks to all of you for your advice - I'll try it today.

Steven, how's the running going? I'm the one who did Boston for the first time this year. What a trip! My time was slow because I just enjoyed every mile of it - soaking in the crowds and the course. What a thrill! I'll never forget it.

Happy Thanksgiving to all - Mary Ann

[Steven Hauser]

I remember,

Boston 2005 wow!! I started out on pace and somewhere around mile 18 I found out I was dehydrated. The smart guy would have pulled out...instead I limped and barely crossed the line. I ran a 3:30 which was a whopping 35 minutes off pace. Did that over the course of 8 miles :D I have never suffered like I did that day.

Naturally I'm going back in 2006 to do it again.

[BlueCanyon]

Naturally.

Seems like a million years ago, doesn't it?
Mary Ann

[Steven Hauser]

Yep.

Scary thing is I have no desire to run a preliminary one. I put it off each month. This morning I was thinking about Boston on the drive in and said why run one before it, just do 10K's,20K's, 1/2's etc. inluding long tempo training runs to stay 6weeks outside of readiness.

My hamstrings, knees and quads were so torn up that every time I run a 1/2 I feel a :wtf: is that sensation and say nope I'm not ready yet.

My training buddy told me I better shake it off 'cause he was going to really beat our last PR and i had better show up. We end up racing each other like a pair of idiots :dunce: who don't remember they are on the wrong side of 20...30. oh all right 40. :stupid2:

:D

[BlueCanyon]

I totallly hate that age thing. The last couple of years, I've almost totally nixed road racing for trail runs. Older crowd, softer ground, beautiful scenery, easier on the knees, great aid stations - like a roving buffet. I ran the Tahoe Rim Trail 50k in July and could not have cared less about my time. Felt great afterwards - much much better than after a road race, even though it started at 7000 feet and went up to 9200 - a couple of times. The run was SO hard, yet no lingering aches and pains. :yeah:

But Boston is Boston, and I hope to do it again some day.
Mary Ann

[Steven Hauser]

I know what you mean.

The problem is I can't seem to shake the competitive thing. The only way I do is when I'm the pace person for a group.

I have really been digging the trails though, yep the wear on the chassis is much less.

I can't decide what I want to do really. I had a plan to run a 2:40 marathon before I was 45, but, somedays that doesn't seem feasible.

Yesterday we ran a 16 mile tempo that was on pace and it was fun. The shoes I wore were shot and I felt all day yesterday afterward. :yeah:

I'll see how I feel tonight.

California was such a great place to run. Those trail runs really bring back some memories.

Thanks for that Maryann

Keep on do it if you love it.

:)