Despite being extremely careful and guarding your beloved marble countertops with your life, the worst-case scenario has happened- the beautiful surface has been marred by etching, chipping or a crack. Like any tech savvy Ottawa homeowner, you rush to the Internet and when you search, you find a wealth of articles promising easy repairs and declaring calling in the professionals unnecessary. As your experts in natural stone products, we would like to share a few of these easy DIY marble countertop repairs and explain how they often result in disaster.
Fixing Scratches and Small Chips with Wax
The most common recommendation for do-it-yourselfers trying to repair scratches or small chips in marble countertops is to use wax. The idea is that you rub the wax into the affected area until the scratches or chips are filled in and then smooth it out using extra-fine steel wool. Since wax is not a permanent fix, it is the least damaging of the solutions offered however, it is still possible to cause issues. For example, if improper pressure is used with the steel wool or the wrong gauge is used, your efforts might result in heavier or more widespread scratching than you were trying to repair. There is also a risk of yellowing if wax is used on white marble.
Using Colour Matching Epoxy to Repair Cracks or Large Chips
You will undoubtedly stumble across more than a few articles promising the wonders of invisible marble countertop repair using colour-matched epoxy that you can easily find in Ottawa hardware stores. In theory, you pick a colour that closely matches your marble, fill in the damaged area and let it cure to create an invisible repair. While it sounds excellent, some serious drawbacks make it a less than perfect solution. Epoxy is a more permanent option than wax and if it needs to be removed can result in further damage to your countertop. Due to marble’s naturally formed, unique colouring, it is next to impossible to recreate an exact match. Along the same line as matching, epoxy used on plain marble is likely to be highly visible. Finally, epoxy requires mixing ingredients during which errors can be made that affect the end result and the application process itself is messy.
Make Etching Disappear with Tin Oxide Polish!
Due to the soft nature of marble countertops, they are susceptible to etching by acidic substances or harsh cleansers. Etching differs from stains because it is a change in the surface of the marble rather than simple discoloration. Applying a thin coat of tin oxide powder to the etch, spraying it lightly with water so it remains in place and buffing the area with a polishing cloth and orbital buffer are supposed restore the beautiful finish. This outcome is possible for polished marble with practice and possibly several applications however, it is likely to create too much shine on honed countertops.
For expert advice on marble countertops for your Ottawa home, contact StoneSense.
