Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

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fleshandbone
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Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by fleshandbone »

Hi,

I'm hoping someone here can help me, at present I have a highly polished granite worktop that has some damage to the finish. This was done prior to us moving in so I’m not sure what caused this?

I wish to repair the damage and change the finish of the granite from that of highly polished to a honed finish. After doing a lot of googling I realise some people are going to think what I’m trying to do is mad as from what I’ve read a honed finish requires more up keep.

I’d be grateful if anyone could advise me as to the best way to do this?

1. What’s the best way to cut back the highly polished finish, i.e If I sand it what grit should I start with and work up to? Also is it worth me using something like Aqua Mix’s sealing and coating remover?

2. Can anyone recommend a good colour enhancing sealer, I read a blog that suggested Aqua mix Enrich ‘N’ Seal and I wondered if anyone has used this?

Thanks in advance!
Kitchentop 1.jpg
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Kitchentop 2.jpg
Kitchentop 2.jpg (438.72 KiB) Viewed 3095 times
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Job and Knock
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by Job and Knock »

I have to ask what sort of machinery you have to undertake the task of sanding.? Also, if you intend to sand the worktop in situ are there any suf=rfaces adjacent to the granite which might potentially be damaged if they come into contact with the abrasives (e.g timber trims, ceramic tiles, plasterwork, etc)?
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by fleshandbone »

Hi Job and Knock,
Thank you for your reply, at present I only have a fairly decent palm sander and dust extractor, but I'm open to any suggestions as to what you think will be required and can always hire it.

At present there are no tiles up as I want to get the worktop sorted beforehand, there is a 100mm granite boarder round the worktop which will also require cutting back. I intend to tile the back and sides of the kitchen so all being well this will conceal any potential damage. Many thanks.
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by Colour Republic »

Have you tried poultice powder?
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by fleshandbone »

No, I did think about applying a poultice with something that would combat an acidic stain, but my girlfriend really wants the top refinished from a high gloss to a honed finish so I thought I'd try and kill two birds with one stone. Would you recommend I try and combat the stain prior to cutting the finish back? Many thanks
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by Colour Republic »

So you want what is known as a leather finish on granite?
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by fleshandbone »

I don't want any texture to the worktop, just a smooth matt/satin honed finish. Many thanks
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by Colour Republic »

I'm concerned as to how you're going to achieve this, what sander have you got and what pads do you plan on using?

Your main problem is you have acid etching to the granite and then you're going to hone the finish which even if done correctly will still leave you with a high maintenance worktop more susceptible to staining and finger marks. If it isn't done correctly you're going to have one expensive mess on your hands.

I think you're crazy TBH :lol:

But if you must then look at some offerings from Akemi for sealing and care products
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by wine~o »

:dunno: Put your toaster or another appliance over the damaged area....you would be completely MAD to attempt a DIY bodge with Granite...
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by fleshandbone »

Thanks a lot for your reply colour republic. I know a honed finish is higher maintenance and more susceptible to finger marks etc, I'm sure the majority of people will thick it's mad to go from an high gloss finish to honed. I guess it's just an aesthetic preference. I spent a while trying to research how to do this properly but couldn't find anything substantial on how to do it? So I was hoping someone with experience in this field could offer some advice so I can avoid an expensive mess.
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by Colour Republic »

fleshandbone wrote:Thanks a lot for your reply colour republic. I know a honed finish is higher maintenance and more susceptible to finger marks etc, I'm sure the majority of people will thick it's mad to go from an high gloss finish to honed. I guess it's just an aesthetic preference. I spent a while trying to research how to do this properly but couldn't find anything substantial on how to do it? So I was hoping someone with experience in this field could offer some advice so I can avoid an expensive mess.
That really comes down to your equipment and experiance. As I say what sander have you got? it will need to take diamond pads, you're not going to do this with a bit of 120grit i'm afraid. There are companys out their that will come and do this for you.

I'm not against honed finishes, far from it but you need to know what you're getting in to and it seems you do but tackling it DIY is not something i'd recommend unless you're going to invest in the equipment.
Last edited by Colour Republic on Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by Colour Republic »

What granite is it by the way? it looks like nero assoluto but could be black pearl if those flecks are larger than it looks, hard to tell from the pics
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by fleshandbone »

Thanks again for your advice Colour Republic, I really appreciate it. I think the finish is Black Galaxy. We don't have a huge amount of money to do it, so I was trying to ascertain if I can do this myself. I'm practical and willing to spend time and research how to do a job properly but fully admit this isn't an area I've worked in really. Like I said I'm opening to hiring whatever equipment if necessary, if it works out more economically viable than getting the pros in. If you can advise how you'd approach this I'd be really grateful, thanks again.
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by Colour Republic »

My gut feeling is that you won't be able to do this cost effectively given the equipment you need (it's not you normal hire shop gear but not impossible to hire) and the learning curve and time required. Have you had quotes to do this professionally? Where abouts are you in the country as I know a few people who could do this for you... if you're not to far from them.
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Re: Help required with granite kitchen worktop finish

Post by fleshandbone »

I haven't got any quotes to do this yet, as I've clearly underestimated the job in hand. I'm based in Hackney Wick, East London. Any recommendations would be really appreciated. Do you know how much I'm looking at roughly? Perhaps I should take wine~o's advice... Thanks again
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