Marble Polishing

There are several ways to make a marble floor shiny however the difference in aesthetics can be dramatic. Proper marble polishing techniques will have you looking at the beauty of the stone itself, not an acrylic coating or a “crystallization” coating which will have a synthetic, or plastic look.

To get the greatest effect the floor should be prepared by diamond honing prior to the  marble polishing treatment using a marble polishing compound. This will leave a crystal clear shine with no scratches or distortion, and the floor will look “good as new.” If there are budget limitations another popular option is the do the compound polishing as a stand alone process. This will produce a finish that is a drastic improvement in most cases, as well as doing a wonderful job of marble cleaning. This is a marble polishing technique that we specialize in as a way for owners to achieve an impressive result at a more reasonable cost. We have been using this method for well over 20 years and no one can beat our results. See: MARBLE POLISHING

Limestone Honing

Limestone is another animal all together and should not be treated the same as marble.

Most limestone is produced with a honed finish to give it a softer look and feel. This is well suited to the warm tones that it is common for limestone. Sometimes clients will be led to believe that this honed finish (low sheen) is a sign poor quality and needs limestone polishing. This is not at all the case. The designer who specified this limestone did see samples and knows what finish would be expected. Our objective is always to restore the stone to its original appearance and colour. However, if requested, limestone polishing can be done in the same way as marble polishing, to close up the pores and make it easier to clean. This should be done only with expressed consent of the property owner or manager.

In most cases the limestone will be restored using the various techniques of limestone honing. There are many types of abrasive modalities that are suited for limestone honing. These techniques will be chosen to suit the type of limestone, how hard or soft it is, and the desired finish; low, medium, or high sheen. We can also alter the sheen if desired to meet any new design preference, or to increase slip resistance. Limestone is a great material to work with because it offers so many possibilities.

For a comprehensive article on the different marble polishing and limestone honing techniques, please go to our blog article:  http://stonecaresolutions.blogspot.com/2011/03/polished-marble-restoration-overview.html