Granite Experts-Help with problem!

19 years ago

I need advice on 2 areas that the fabricator messed up. Unfortunately both are near the sink so I see them readily, although others may not notice one of them.

The first is a milky white area around the edge of the seam (see picture below).It is noticeable. The second area is a very light "sweep" of small scratches that look like bristle marks on the top surface following around one side of the sink. It is not readily noticed (except by me and DH) and can ony be seen when the light hits it a certain way. It won't show in a picture. The installer tried to shine both areas it but couldn't.

The first stone specialist said he believed that when the machine went around cutting the sink, the surface wasn't protected properly and some granite dust got under the machine as it rolled around and made these scratches. He said both areas couldn't be smoothed out without risking the shiny finish and bring more attention to them.

Next the fabricator returned with 2 more experts. They brought in a sand machine with a diamond pad to test a small area and said they could grind down to the scratches and shine it back up, then reseal. They would have to run water as they worked on it for about 20 minutes using diamond pads. They said they are sure they could restore it and it will look great.

Does this sound right? I'm anxious for it to be

perfect, but DH and I are afraid that messing with

it could make it worse. Opinions???

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Comments (6)

debo_2006
19 years ago
I'm having a hard time seeing what you're talking about from the pics. I do see what looks like white areas running the length of the seam but I see them through your granite anyway. Perhaps I'm missing something here. The bristle marks that YOU see could be chips in the seam from the cut that need to be filled better with colored epoxy. Alot of seams end up with these and if filled properly, can be virtually unnoticeable.

It sounds like the process the fabricator is talking about is called "top polishing" and to do this water IS essential. After our granite was installed I noticed circular scratches that left me unhappy. I brought this up to the installer who top polished them out and the counter looks great. It's a tedious process and took a long time in our case. Please keep in mind that one really must know what they are doing to get the proper end result. Ask them directly what the terminology is (see if it's top polish), then ask if they've done it before and how often. If they've been around awhile, more than likely, they have experience doing this.

I'm sure Stonegirl and others will chime in...and if I'm wrong about my thoughts on this, set me straight people.
susan4664
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks Debi. The area I'm talking about is right in the front on the edge where the two sides meet. Its is a smeary-milky half circle on the top surface and you may have mistook it for a glare from the camera.

The bristle marks I referred to are not in this picture. They "run" around the sink but cannot be captured on film because they are slight and only visible at certain angles.

Glad to hear your "top polishing" came out well. I would love to hear from Stonegirl!
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beware
19 years ago
If that milky area I see in the center part of the photo is not glare, then I'd be very concerned and want them to make it right.
Good luck.
debo_2006
19 years ago
I see the milky part since you pointed it out - I did think it was glare. From the pic. it almost looks like sandpaper was put to it and then never polished. I agree, it's just not right, but I do think it can be fixed. Just make sure they make it right as 'beware' stated.

Good luck.
susan4664
Original Author
19 years ago
Great news. The stone people sent a specialist to my house on Saturday who fixed the problems. He worked on it for over an hour, grinding down layer by layer with polishing powder and changing diamond pads throughout the process.

The areas came out so shiny that I wish the rest of the counter could look so good! I actually see quarts and beautiful mica chips that I didn't know were present in those spots! Thanks for the advice.
debo_2006
19 years ago
Glad it all worked out. I thought the same thing when our installer top polished a portion of our breakfast counter. The part he polished was so shiny I wanted him to do the entire top, but that would have took way too long. Besides, I didn't initially complain about the entire top, so he just polished the part I had an issue with (scratches).

Enjoy.