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polishing granite

sawdust58's picture

polishing granite (post #185891)

sawdust58 on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 17:23
in

I am a pretty handy fellow, being a general contractor with 4yr old granite counters in my remodeled home. They are really looking dull and could stand a professional type polishing. I would like to do this myself as i have every electric tool known to man and the ambition to try it myself. What is the process anyone done this out there?

-A +A

I have a 4-1/2" wet polisher (post #185891, reply #1 of 4)

by davidmeiland in reply to sawdust58 [original] on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 17:50

I have a 4-1/2" wet polisher and sets of diamond pads for it... use it for polishing edges when using stone... but I would hesitate to take it to a broad surface. I think it's going to be hard to get a uniform finish. Was your stone epoxy-coated, and has that been worn away by cleaning with scrubby pads?

FWIW, there are a couple of good stone fabricators' forums out there. I'd Google them up and see if someone there can steer ya'.

the above comment asked the (post #185891, reply #2 of 4)

by wane in reply to sawdust58 [original] on Wed, 03/10/2010 - 06:25

the above comment asked the right question, was it sealed, if so talk to a local supplier, the surface may just require stripping and resealing

Applying sealer can create a (post #185891, reply #3 of 4)

by Frankie in reply to sawdust58 [original] on Wed, 03/10/2010 - 15:31

Applying sealer can create a shiney/ polished appearance, but only if you apply too much sealer.  

For polishing you need diamond wheels, $70:

  http://www.granitecitytool.com/showcat.cfm?catnum=15&pcatnum=89&keyword1=Diamond%20Polishing%20Pads

Provided the surface has not been damaged, you may not need to polish.  Instead you may only need to buff the countertop.  $10 for pad and $25 for compound.

 http://www.granitecitytool.com/showcat.cfm?catnum=16&pcatnum=89&keyword1=Buffing 

As for forums, try:

 http://www.cnctooladvice.com/ 

 

Hope this helps,

 

Frankie

 

   


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granite surface (post #185891, reply #4 of 4)

by k1c in reply to sawdust58 [original] on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 15:46

If it turns out you can repolish the granite with sand paper and you need a supplier who will sell few sheets instead of boxes, try micro-surface.com.   They have their own system of grading the paper, but their comparison to the system we know was close enough.

But it's hard to believe that granite can become that used over only 4 years, unless you are talking about scratches.  Sounds like the advice about the sealer is closest to solving your problem.

If you want the polish without using a sealer, 3M makes polishing pads that look like dishwashing pads.  They are color coded for the level of shine.  Micro-surface also has 1/2" thick foam pad that softens the force of the sander.  Although my project was solid surface, I thought this might help.