More resources

[Tom McNall]

A new article was just uploaded on the GNS (Great Northern Stone) Library on the subject of crystallization. This is not your average bellyaching from the regular advocates. This is an article from a world renowned scientist (and former Technical Director for AKEMI) who knows what he is talking about. Enjoy!

You can log on from our main page at www.greatnorthernstone.com and follow the links for resources to the library or click here (http://resource.greatnorthernstone.com/component/option,com_docman/) . Look for the lightening icon and the title “The Truth About Crystallizers” in the "Stone and Tile Care" section.

Another free resource from Tom McNall of Great Northern Stone.

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[doitright]

Hi Tom :)

Did you realize you used the words Free and Tom McNall in the same sentence? :shades: :D

There was an error while trying to download the pdf file. I'll check it out tonight. Thanks for sharing! ;)

[stoneman57]

hello tom,
Great stuff!!!! I really enjoyed your website more however; very nice....informative and professional.. Unfrotunately, there are many shady contractors who are selling crystallization as a restorative process- many consumers don't know the difference. They just want a shine on their floor. I've done crystallization as a finishing process on stone I've honed and restored. Never really liked the process however 'cos of the need to re clean grout lines after steel wool.Your Dr seems to indicate even this is damaging. What's you're take?
Cheers

[Tom McNall]

Mark,

My take is in the articles "An End To The Controversy" Parts 1 and 2 listed in the same section of our library (You may need to go to a second page. They have the icon of the mad bull and the pirate flag). Basically, I feel it is bad all around for the industry but heavily supported by chemical companies because they cannot sell stone people anything else.

Thanks for reading it and checking out our site.

[stoneman57]

Tom,
Thanks for the response . I had not seen the 2nd page. Anxiously awaiting your follow ups. Actually just read part 2. I ahve another question for you. I am one of those jan contractors getting into the stone service market. I've trained under Dane Gregory( another Northern guy; Wisconsin) and am scheduled to study withFred Hueston in July. Regardless Iam trying to expand my knowledge through education and practice. I am a distributor of National Chemical Labs "Stone Care" Line and have found one of the products to be great for restoring marbles in need of interim maintenance. It takes considerably less time than honing and polishing and gives an excellent , clear gloss. It is marketed under "Marble Restoration Paste" or MRP . My question is this - it would appear from the minimal time required it must be something topical , and I'm concerned that perhaps it's another form of Crystallization. May I impose upon you to visit their site and check it out? (nclonline.com). I can't seem to get a straight answer from their technical people and regional reps seem to have limited understanding of the products they sell.
I just want to be sure of what I'm selling as a restoration service/ product.
Thank you kindly
Cheers,
Mark

[claycarson]

Mark -

Is the solution applied and then buffed with steel wool? That is a dead giveaway that it is crystallization, no matter what they call it. Only crystallization uses steel wool on stone.

I took Dane Gregory's course too - I liked it. Primarily dealt with ceramic, but he did touch on stone a bit for the sealers and overall care.

[Tom McNall]

Mark,

The MRP is not a topical product. It is made with Oxalic acid. It will not remove most scratches however, no polishing paste or powder will do that.

I know both Dane Gregory and Fred Hueston.

[stoneman57]

Hello Clay and Tom,
Thanks for the response. The MRP uses a natural hair pad, not steel wool. Tom, I suppose I should have looked at the MSDS sheet to see it only contained oxyalic acid.
Thanks
Mark