Marble Polishing And Marble Restoration: What Are The Differences?

Does your marble floor look dull? Has the marble surface lost its shine? Are there stains or etch marks on the marble surface? Do you know whether or not it should be polished or restored? Following is everything you need to know about the difference between marble polishing and marble restoration.

Process Of Marble Polishing

Polishing is used to get rid of surface level micro scratches and stains from the marble surface. The scratches that aren’t too deep can be easily removed with the help of a mechanical polisher to make the marble surface look like new.

1. The first step in the process is the marble tile cleaning. In this step, a dry mop or soft cloth is used to get rid of all the dirt and other granular material from the marble surface.

2. If there is any build-up on the marble surface, it needs to be removed with the help of a stone stripper. This will help to get rid of any kind of dirt or foreign substances that have adhered to the surface.

3. The floor should then be cleaned again with the help of a damp mop and then left to dry.

4. Water is sprayed on the marble surface and then a scrubber is used over the area with some buffing powder. Usually, the scrubber needs to be run at least 4 or 5 times over an area in order to get rid of all the inconsistencies on the surface.

5. A mop is then used to get rid of the dry residue.

6. Once the surface is completely free from any kind of residue, a polishing pad is then used to polish the surface. In the polishing process, a polishing agent in the form of dry powder or paste is used to restore shine to the surface.

7. Since marble is porous, it needs to be sealed after it is completely dry. Experts typically recommend waiting for 24 hours before application of sealant in order to ensure complete drying of the surface.

Process Of Marble Restoration

Marble restoration is the process of bringing life back to dull marble surfaces. Usually, restoration is done when the marble surface is visibly damaged, and there are a lot of cracks and chips.

In some cases, this process also involves replacement of broken tiles as well as removal of marble stains and etching (usually caused by acids in regular cleaning agents).

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that marble restoration isn’t a DIY project. Only professionals who know what they are doing should be hired to restore a marble surface.

Essentially, marble restoration involves the removal of several top layers to restore the natural shine and reflection of the surface. For removing stains and etching, specific cleaning agents are used to ensure proper removal and to avoid any further damage to the marble surface.

The first step in the marble restoration process typically involves grinding. The grinding process makes use of industrial diamonds to cut through the top marble surface to get rid of the deepest stains and scratches. 

The next step is usually the honing process where the marble surface is given a more uniform appearance. Once the grinding and honing is over, the surface is polished and once the polishing is finished, the surface is then buffed to bring out the shine and reflection.

In short, you could say that marble restoration is a more elaborate process that also includes polishing.

How Frequently Should Marble Surface Be Polished?

One of the most frequent questions asked by people is how frequently marble needs to be polished. There is no standard answer to this question as everything depends on the conditions. If the marble is installed in a high traffic area, it will need to be polished more frequently compared to an area where there is a limited amount of traffic. 

Also, the amount of grit and sand that is carried along with shoes also impacts the need for polishing. In short, there is no standard answer to this question and the best thing to do is to call a professional with experience in marble polishing and restoration.

Summary

Marble restoration is a much more involved and costly process compared to marble polishing. Also, marble polishing is required more frequently compared to marble restoration but you can avoid the need for regular polishing and restoration by following some simple rules. 

Make sure you always wipe up any spills on the marble surface immediately and you should always use rugs and mats in high traffic areas. Also, clean the surface regularly and keep the surface dry as much as possible in order to retain its shine and reflection.

By getting professional help, you can save yourself the hassle and get the best results, every time.

That’s why you can rely on SLIQUE for your marble cleaning needs. We are Sydney’s number one authority in all things marble.

For all your marble floor cleaning and polishing needs in Sydney, please call SLIQUE today on 02 9648 0395, or you can leave an inquiry.