Hopefull in Honolulu

[SLATE]

First off, great forum site. The threads are very helpfull.

Now for my dilema....... We are remodling our home (mostly do it yourself) and decided to go with granite countertops. Long story short, there was a mixup at the granite shop and our tops came with out finished side edges (We were told IMPALA BLACK does not come with finished sides). We were compensated but had to use them due to time lines. Our contractor friend is helping me and we were able to grind the edges into a nice bullnose. The shape looks great, and I have polished it to a pretty nice shine.

BUT, theres always a but. It is not as glassy as the original finish. Now I am a complete amateur at this and the mula is lacking if you couldn't already tell, so how can I get it more glass like. I have not sealed it yet just in case I need to do more first. On a test piece I used WD-40 wich was recomended on another site, and it looks great, but I am worried if it's good for granite, not to mention eventually it evaporates. I was going to just pick up a good sealer and test it any suggestions? Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank You Very Much) :shades:

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[Tool Guy - Kg]

Aloha,
Sorry to hear about the mix-up at the fabricator. That puts you in a tough spot. Polishing to match the existing factory shine is very tough, especially on-site. I don't have the answers you are looking for but I can tell you to put the WD-40 away. There will be some some stone pros that come by soon. Hang tight. In the mean time, can you tell us what you are using to polish the stone? :)

[Stonehenge]

Remove that WD-40, I certainly would never have that substance near a food prep area, use some acetone and a cotton towel.

Your fabricator should have been able to provide a finished edge.

Call another fabricator or a stone restoration contractor, with the use of the correct diamond abrasives and polishing compounds your edge will acquire a spectacular depth of color and luster. If however you do decide to pursuit the stone enhancer route ( not recommended ) please keep in mind that this is the "band-aid" approach.

The last polishing class I taught I encountered one of those batches of Impala Black that took a little more elbow grease to polish out, but it can be done.

Michael Von Meyer

[SLATE]

Look at that, already great responses. Thank You! I called around here for a couple days and no help. I did use the diamond polishers. I started with 50 and worked up through 100, 200, 800, 1500 and 5000 grit. I also tried a polishing compound and gel gloss.

So first I use the acetone to clean up the WD-40 right? Then should I back up to a grit or buffing wheel, or just polish by hand? Sounds like I could use your polishing class..... The 101 version. Any tips you could give would be a tremendous help. Thank you both for your great responses. I am most appreciative.

[Davestone]

Usually if it doesn't polish up,you didn't use one of the grits long enough,or skipped one.If you look real close from the side with light on it, can you see scratches?I would drop back to 200,if it looks scratched,400 if it didn't,and repolish it.

[SLATE]

Thanks very much, I started from ground zero and hit it again. Whew, still no luck. It is very smooth and I couldn't see any scratches. But still it has a duller finish than the original. When I used the WD-40 yesterday it matched completley but I agree, I wouldn't want to have that junk on where we prepare food and the smell would be too much. Thankfully all of the prep is being done in our back yard prior to installation. Is there a good polish I should be using. Oh and what was that bandaid approach? Is that a sealer? Any advice on sealers and after care would be great too. Thanks again. :shades:

[Steven Hauser]

Hi there,

You have done well to be as happy as you are.

OK do this since it is not happening for you with the polishing process.

Wipe the edge with clear mineral oil. Only a light coat. Reapply as necessary. Mineral oil is food safe.

Mahalo

[kapena]

Slate,
Did you use a 400 pad as Davestone mentioned?
The real shine doesn't happen until you use an 8000 pad.

[SLATE]

Aw right..... There we go, maybe that will do it. I have a day off again on Wednesday. Ill try those ideas. Thank you both very much. I'm still hopefull it will come out.

Slate :shades:

[doitright]

Hi Slate :)

Are you dry or wet polishing? :shades:

[DonB]

I can get a very passable polish on Blue Pearl with a 1200 resin bonded wet wheel.

Don