http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg091217283361.html?24

I just posted on that thread...

Here is a link that might be useful: MARBLE ETCHING THREAD

PS- aloha-- I don't think they are really being removed as much as that the area around them is kind of being blended into them-- making them less or not noticeableâ¦
I"m not a stone expert but am pretty sure that is the case⦠Using Comet or a green scrubby is not removing the etch, just making them less visible
: )

I love marble but I don't know if I'd be happy with the etching. Neolith looks IMO just like marble w/o all the issues but at $125 sq. foot, it's out of my price range.

I like the honed finish so I think that would help a lot in the "buffing" process. I read through that thread before (precipitated my question), but it seemed like there were mixed reviews. It's hard when I'm not able to see what others can see.

BTW LOVE, LOVE your kitchen!!!

Hi Aloha,

I haven't actually tried this firsthand, so I can't say anything definitive, but a honed marble would be more forgiving of etching because the contrast between the glossy, polished parts and the dull, etched parts would be less. But some people have reported that etches on their honed marble look white and powdery in comparison to the rest of the stone. So from that I gather that it may be dependent on the particular marble.

You are correct that that idea of buffing out etches has gotten mixed reviews. Again, it seems to vary with the type of stone. So I guess that the usual rule of thumb remains the same, which is to get samples of the stone your are interested in and give it a try.

And be sure to report your results here because this is a topic of ongoing interest!

Just an observation: I have marble on one run of cabinets--a baking center. It is polished Statuario, and after six years, I can see some etching, but I have to consciously look for this etching, since it is not very noticeable. I don't treat that countertop any differently than my others, so it certainly isn't babied. I wonder if the fact that my kitchen is on the north side of the house with little natural light directly on the counters simply makes the flaws less visible? Perhaps the sunlight pouring in at an angle in some kitchens makes all of the etching more prominent? I don't think anyone has explored that thought--if the light you have in your kitchen comes directly from above, perhaps it camouflages the problem.

I also wonder how people use their countertops. I don't know how ketchup, for example,in any quantity, even gets on a countertop, much less sits there overnight. If you are using placemats when you are feeding your kids a hotdog, even the messiest kids would have a a hard time getting condiments on the counters 18 inches from their plates. Now,spilling lemon juice is another story. ....that kind of an accident can happen, of course, but I grew up reaching for a cutting board all the time, for almost every activity in the kitchen, and certainly that's a factor in keeping your marble in nice condition.

I agree that bright natural light highlights the etches. I don't notice mine. I think they fade after a while. I have no stains. We did granite shield as our sealer. My kids use Red Hot every day, all day, they put it on everything and all over the counters sometimes. Sometimes, small spots will sit over night. That will leave a very, very faint orange stain that I have to scrub out, but it comes out.

The etches are worst from citrus/vinegar etc. But I honestly don't notice them unless I go looking for them. It helps that my eyes are at "that" age where I need reading glasses. My marble is also honed. I also have a Danby - montclair.

Hi Karin

I hope yu are still following this thread.

In ur area we have a fabricator who has superwhite, superwhite calacatta and super white calacatta Extra

He says the only differene is the amount of white in them, but to be honest they all look very grey (Ihavr a photo if it helps)

He also said they have been selling it for 2 years and originlly the exporter (Brasil) called it granite. Over the last 6 months it started coming in as Quartzite.

I havent done a glass test, they have no samples.

Someone there also said the SW C E is much harder than the regular SW.

After days of googlong and calling "experts", Iam astounded at the conflicting information thats out there. No one seems to know anything.

Thanks Karin

Lewis