Learn How Our Stone Honing Professionals in Chicago, IL, Recovered the Glossy Look of This Marble Countertop

June 16, 2023

We are in a time when homeowners choose natural stone for any surface. No matter which part of the house, natural stone is always the most common option nowadays. However, among owners there are preferences when choosing the stone as well, and marble is everyone's favorite. The general opinion is that this type of stone makes a beautiful surface for bathrooms, offices, and more. In addition, natural stones can be used to create a special atmosphere in the house.


One of the best attributes that makes marble a top choice for people is that it gives a unique look wherever it is installed. Because it is a product of nature, every piece of it is one of a kind. Its durability makes the stone a good option for homeowners. That's why our next customer chose marble for her bathroom countertop when she bought her beautiful home years prior. She took care of it for years, ignoring the correct products to use during cleaning routines. Fortunately, she found our stone honing experts in Chicago, IL, just in time to save her marble surface.

The homeowner is a university graduate and a professional who lives in Chicago. She has the job she always wanted, and although she had a busy daily routine, she dedicated part of her free time taking care of her precious marble bathroom countertop. There were some things that she didn't know when she was cleaning up the surface, so a couple of months earlier, she started to notice that the black natural stone was not shining the same way. To solve the problem, she used different types of cleaners. She thought the issue was resolved, but as time passed and the marble began to look dull again, the woman found no explanation as to why it was happening.

She tried to look for a solution before it was too late, so she searched online for more information about the problem at hand and found things she didn't know about the natural stone:

• Marble is porous: This natural stone is too vulnerable to staining liquids such as acidic juices, oil, and wine, all which can seep deep into the rock. To prevent any kind of damage, marble needs to be properly sealed right after the installation and once or twice a year afterwards.


• Marble can dull: The prolonged exposure to any acid liquid eliminates the sealant along with the polish look of the stone, making it look dull.

After reading this information about the stone, the woman dedicated the rest of the time looking for different methods to clean the surface and apply them on her routines. Days later, after several tries, the stone appearance was exactly the same—it had lost its shiny look. In her desperation, she searched online for 'the best stone experts in Chicago, IL', finding Sir Grout Chicago in the top search results. While browsing our website, she saw some photos of our previous work, and was thrilled with the results in each one of them. She read the positive reviews from our most recent clients and was convinced that we were the best option to restore her marble countertop. She later placed a call to set up a date for the in-home consultation.

On the day of the assessment, our team of experts went to the customer's house to evaluate the surface. At first sight, they noticed the dullness on the stone and told the homeowner that the usage of acidic cleaners causes this kind of damage. They mentioned that to restore the look of the marble, they would need to clean it in order to prepare the surface for the honing and polishing. Additionally, they would seal it to prevent similar problems in the future. The woman accepted the offer and scheduled a date for the restoration process.

On the day of the job, our technicians returned to the house to get the job done. They started the cleaning process by applying stone safe products all over the stone and using a high-speed scrubber to remove the dirt accumulated.
Once the black marble was clean, it was time to hone the natural stone. To do so, our specialists used a very low grit pad to eliminate all the etch marks and scratches. When the surface was smoother, they progressively raised the number of the grit until the glossy look was restored. To finish the process, our team sealed the stone using an impregnating sealant to prevent further deterioration.

After finishing the procedures, our experts showed the final outcome to the owner. She was amazed to see how shiny the marble was after the stone honing job and couldn't believe the results. She thanked us for the incredible service and mentioned that she would recommend our work to anyone looking for a hard surface restoration company.

Before our technicians left, they gave a few tips to maintain the countertop looking glossy. First, they suggested never using acidic cleaners on the marble because it would damage it. Instead, she should use stone-safe cleaners. Also, they told her to check the sealer three times a year to verify if it is properly working.

To renovate your natural stone surfaces, Sir Grout Chicago is your best option. We are a leading company in the hard surface restoration industry and offer experienced and qualified professionals that will exceed your expectation. Call us at (773) 538-3243 or fill out the "Request a Quote" form on this website to set up a date for a free in-home evaluation. Also, do not forget to subscribe to our newsletter
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