Small Etched Spots On Polished Marble Floor

[Anglwingz]

I just bought a house that has 12” X 12” Natural Stone, International Collection – Cherry Blossom polished marble.

The house is almost completely floored with this marble (approx 2500 sq ft) and has a few small etched spots along with other areas where the high shine is dulled. ( I am saying etched because it looks like permanent water marks that do not shine)

I was actually not going to buy this house because of the marble floors. They are beautiful, but from every one I have talked with, they are extremely high maintenance and not very durable for residential floors. Quite frankly, I am not sure what to think since no one I spoke to seems to be a “true expert” insofar as marble care. So I am here!

My first question: Are there product available to remove the small etched areas that a DIY can do?

If so, what products are recommended? So far I have come across “Marblelife” which claims to have a DIY restoration kit, and another four or five companies with basically the same type of kit. All claim to be “the best!” :eek:

Additional, what products are required for maintenance, and what exactly does maintenance require.

And if I can get the small etched spots out, I would like to know if the marble should be sealed, and if so with a WB, SB, or other type of sealer. And again, can it be a simple DIY project.

Finally, there are only two rooms in the house that do not have marble (bedrooms- 800 sq ft) and I am hesitating whether to put marble in those so the whole house matches, or possible ceramic, and the third, but final choice being tearing out all the marble and replacing with ceramic. The latter is extremely expensive and obviously not my first choice. But will consider rather than be a slave to floors.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I am having a hard time making any type of decision due to a lack of marble experts in our area.

Sign me,
Exasperated & Clueless! :o

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[az]

You didn't mention where you are located. This is a project I would call a professional for. If you start messing around with this floor you could cause yourself more harm than good, making it even more difficult for a pro to redo it. That being said, you could do it on your own. Rent a buffer, buy some hogs hair pads, some diamond pads in each grit necessary (usually around 20 bucks each), some polishing powder and the other miscelaneous items needed. Sound like something you want to get into?

You can do it with just polishing powder and a buffer, but it will not give you an even shine throughout. You must first "cut" the floor with honing diamonds to get it all even, and then polish.

This is really not a DIY job, as you can see. Many of us spend a lot of hours in classes and on job sites trying to learn this stuff. You're not going to learn it from a forum.

As for the etched spots, you can play around with them using a good polishing powder and an angle grinder, with a pad attached. Don't expect perfection.

Maybe someone else has a different view than I do.....

[doitright]

Hi Anglwingz, Welcome! :)

There are several DIY kits as you mentioned. Personally I favor products from Aqua Mix. You could start with a product they have called Renue. Depending on the severity of the small etches you describe, and the actual marble you have, will determine the final outcome. I highly recommend staying away from using power equipment. As Kerry mentioned, a skilled professional should be considered if that direction is pursued.

I would not tear out your floor, but learn how to properly care and maintain it. If the floor is properly installed, it will last the lifetime of your home.

You also may want to consider having the floor honed by a professional if you don't like the maintenance of a polished floor.

Regarding having the marble installed in the bedrooms, I would think twice. If you go with this option, I would consider having heating mats installed underneath. Marble is a beautiful product, but can be a bit chilly on the feet getting out of bed in the morning. Area rugs are also very useful, but care should be exercised selecting the anti slip mats used underneath.

[Anglwingz]

Thank you for your replies. I apologize that I did not acknowledge you replies sooner, but I just found my way back to this site!

As for the Aqua Mix products...What would you recommend, aside from the "Renue?"

I am hoping to try whatever I can without use of heavy power equipmet. I am assuming that a small hand buffer is not in that group?

Having said such, which other products should I consider?

I need a cleaner for sure, and I am wondering if there is a sealer that is user DIY friendly that would provide some protection with relative ease of application.

Any other product suggestions are appreciated.

I did note that while you suggested "Aqua Mix" products that you have a link to another line of products.

Thanks again, and I DID bookmark this site this time! :)
Maria

[Anglwingz]

AZ,

I am in a small town in Louisiana. The nearest marble 'Expert" is about 50 miles away and they really didn't seem to interested in the job.

[Davestone]

I'm gonna give you a link to a site where you might find someone interested in your plight, or at least gain more knowledge on the subject,i can't walk you through it really....http://www.dirtygrout.com/forums/

[Stonehenge]

Hi Maria,

In which city are you located?

[GeorgeT]

Maria -
Etch marks can be touched up by hand but what mat result is many little shiny spots that are a different shine than the rest of the floor. If there are a lot of spots on the floor it is often best to treat the floor as a whole so it blends together.
No penetrating type sealer will stop these etch marks. They are an immediate chemical reaction between an acidic liquid and the marble.
Sealing is a project you can do yourself.
Maintenance is the routine of keeping your floor clean. Dust mopping, damp mopping and the ocasional heavy washing are basic maintenance.

[Anglwingz]

Davestone .... Thank you, I will check it out!

Stonehenge... I live in Houma, LA

George... Thank you! The spots are very tiny, mostly in the dining room, and a few by the kitchen sink and dishwasher. The sports mostly look like water rings. There is only 3 littls spots the size of a quarter that actually appear to be etched.

I suspect once we get furniture in the house, probably none of these spots would be truly noticed. I am just trying to do what I can before we move anything in. I do know there has never been any type of sealer at all on this floor. I am wondering if there is a sealer that does not have to be evenly applied like a poly coat on a wood floor. It seems I read about some that you wipe on then wipe off after so many minutes.

Thanks so much... you are all helping me very much. I am sorry that I am asking so many questions...but I must act soon.

Maria