GRANITE ETCHING: ITS CAUSES AND HOW TO FIX IT

If you have granite countertops anywhere throughout your home, you know firsthand how beautiful and durable they are. After spending so much time and money finding the perfect granite countertops, it’s worth taking the necessary precautions to protect your investment.

Using certain materials on your granite countertops can dull its professional finish, commonly referred to as etching.

WHAT IS GRANITE ETCHING?

Etching is chemical damage that occurs on your granite surface, and it may be mild, moderate, or severe. If your granite countertops are exposed to acidic liquids, it may result in a duller appearance often mistaken for a stain. As you can imagine, the longer the acidic liquid sits on your granite, the worse the etching becomes.

The repair process will be more in-depth for severe etches, while minor etches may not be as difficult to salvage.

GRANITE ETCHING COMMON CAUSES

How does etching on granite countertops develop in the first place? As we mentioned, naturally acidic liquids are often the culprit behind granite etching. Unfortunately, many common household cleaning products can directly impact the sheen of your granite countertops.

Common causes of granite etching include:

• Fruit juices

• Bleach

• Ammonia

• Wine

• Coffee

• Vinegar

• Ammonia

An easy way to protect your granite countertops is to always use a cutting board when prepping your food. If you notice a liquid has spilled on your granite, blot the spill to contain it as opposed to rubbing it, as doing so can cause the liquid to travel and cover more of your countertops.

HOW TO REPAIR GRANITE ETCHING

STEP #1: CLEAN THE ETCHED GRANITE

You’ll want to take the time to thoroughly clean your granite before you begin the repair process. To start, add two drops of stone soap to a one-gallon container of water and thoroughly combine.

Then, take a rag and soak it in the solution to remove the layer of residue or grime that developed on the surface.

STEP #2: WIPE AWAY THE SOAPY RESIDUE

Take another rag and get it wet to wipe off the leftover soapy residue from your granite. Take a clean towel to dry the etched granite.

STEP #3: APPLY POLISHING POWDER

Use approximately one ounce of granite polishing powder directly onto the etched granite surface. Follow this step by pouring one ounce of water onto the granite polishing powder.

STEP #4: USE A BUFFING PAD

You’ll need a variable-speed electric drill to remove your etched granite. Set the drill to a low speed and move the buffing pad in small circles over the paste-coated granite. The etch marks will begin to disappear. Make sure the paste stays on the granite while you’re buffing.

STEP #5: WIPE AWAY THE POWDER PASTE RESIDUE

Use a clean rag to wipe away the leftover powder paste residue.

STEP #6: APPLY STONE POLISHING COMPOUND

Use one tablespoon of stone polishing compound to get rid of any excess marks or imperfections. This polishing compound comes in a paste and will dissolve into your granite, helping to restore its shine.

HOW TO REPAIR GRANITE ETCHING

One of the easiest methods of repairing granite etching is prevention. However, if you find yourself needing to repair your granite, start by wiping it down with a damp rag to get rid of any built-up debris. You can then take a putty knife to fix any divots with an epoxy specially formulated to work on granite.

Once the epoxy has dried for the proper amount of time, you can add a granite finish to seal your work.

CONCLUSION

While there are ways to remove etching on granite countertops, the easiest way to keep your countertops pristine is to ensure no acidic liquids come into contact with them. From cleaning products to food, acidic liquids should always be kept away from your granite.