Given the results you already got, why continue testing? Haven't you already ruled out using the Super White Granite at this point?

I seldom allow food to set on my cabinets overnight, so testing for a shorter period of time is a more realistic test.

After 30 minutes or so, the lemon, vinegar, and red wine etched but did not stain or change the color. This granite is not for me. Back to the drawing board.

Sounds like you chose wisely!

I seldom allow food to set on my counter overnight either, but you never know. DH or DD or DS might decide to have a midnight snack and leave a blob of chocolate ice cream or strawberries or a ring of grape juice on the counter. What a headache that would be in the morning!! Go for the practical solution and you'll be much happier in the long run. I have Peacock Green granite and no matter what sits on it, it wipes clean and perfect every time. I'd go nuts if I had to worry about permanent stains or etchs!!!

Good Luck!

I have Bianco Romano for two years, which seems "whiter" than photos I've seen of Super White, as it has less gray inclusions.

It is resined..for two years...NOTHING stains or etches it.

Was you sample resined?

I belive that Alku has Andromeda White and says it's been no problem. If you do a search you'll find threads with pics of her beautiful kitchen.

I may try to get another sample and seal it before I test it. My cabinetmaker can get Caesarstone Misty Carrera, even though I had heard that it was unavailable. I prefer a natural stone, but I can't deal with high maintenance.

Susan, I had to laugh. DD is more likely to clean a countertop before I am. And DH couldn't find his way to the kitchen if you left a trail of crumbs! But we do have lots of houseguests because of where we live. I don't want any of them to be uncomfortable because I am hovering with a cloth.

I like your solution for the pain! If you're not sleeping anyway try this recipe...

1 oz bourbon whiskey
2 dashes bitters
1/2 cup water
2 oz club soda
2 tsp powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp instant coffee

Dissolve the instant coffee in the water in an old-fashioned glass. Gradually stir in the sugar, the bitters and the bourbon whiskey. Add ice, and top with club soda. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of orange, and serve.

Or use the lazy version - make half a cup of coffee, top off the cup with bourbon. Best if taken with a sunset.

bmore, can I just pitch the other stuff and swill down the bourbon? I'm simplifying these days! LOL

bbstx,

Again, I think you have a sample of quartzite which I believe is more prone to etching than granite which is why I was previously interested in your lemon juice test. I think any acidic substance will give you the same etching on your sample. Andromeda White might be a close color option for you if you are looking for a white granite and when sealed thoroughly it will be less likely to etch.

JB

jb,
I think you must be correct. This piece of "granite" looked like just what I wanted. The salesperson at the granite yard knew that I had rejected marble because of it propensity to stain and etch. I am disappointed that she let me take it without pointing out that it would stain and etch similar to marble. In my area, I've only found 2 granite yards. I have not seen any Andromeda White. The only whites other than Super White that I've seen are Bianco Romano, Kashmir White, and Delicatus. One of the granite yards had a stone they called "XYZ Granite Yard Iceberg." They did not identify it by its common name, but it looks quite similar to Super White.

Yes, I would like some cheese with this whine!

So sorry about your disappointing results. I know how it feels. BUT, I think you should test your samples once sealed (especially when dealing with whitish granite). My pre-sealing tests were not all that great either, but my post-sealing tests were much different (nothing stained after 2 hours, and only the Crystal Sauce stained after 30). I loved the granite I was testing and this was enough to satisfy me. Sometimes, you just have to go with what you love. I believe many of the whitish granites are similar in porousness to what we have, including Bianco Romano, Kashmir White, Andromeda White, Shivakashi Gold, etc.. I am not familiar with Super White. Our granite has been installed though has not yet been used. Will report if any bad results after we finally get to use it.

I am coming in on this a bit late, but are you FOR SURE it is granite? And if it is, is it polished? Honed? If it is honed granite, than it will stain and etch like marble. But I have never seen anything etch polished granite, except for Hydrofloric Acid.

star, what sort of sealer did you use? I will try to get another sample from the granite yard, seal it, and re-test. I really like this granite and would love to find that sealing would make it work. I was shocked at the lemon etching it in only 30 minutes!

jmax, it was not honed. It was polished. I had an extended conversation with the salesperson concerning marble and my objections to its high maintenance and resistance to etching and staining. She seemed to be knowledgeable of their stock and steered me away from marble several times. It may be quartzite, as suggested by jb.

My granite fabricator sealed some samples for me -- not sure what it was but same stuff they eventually used on my slabs. Will find out.... We had no etching at all after that sealant.
(What I did not dare test was the gorgeous pink ("tea rose") marble I found for my daughter's bathroom -- just told them to seal, seal, seal!)

Sealer will prevent staining, but NOTHING will prevent etching.

If you want white, take another look at the Bianco Romano, Delacatus, and Kashmire White that you saw at the yard. Check their edges for a varnish like coating or drip marks. That's evidence of resining. If the slabs have been resined, they will be virtually stainproof. My Andromeda White slabs are resined and NOTHING stains them, even if I leave it there for a few days (yes, I know I'm a slob).

If the slabs are not resined, get a sample anyway but seal it with a a coat or two of a good sealer like Miracle 511. Let it cure for a couple days, then stain test. You'll be amazed at what a good sealer can do.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Will call the granite yard today and inquire about sealing and resins. I am almost sure the sample I had was not resined. It was not a broken off piece so I didn't see the edges. It was a nicely cut 6 inch square. (This particular granite yard had pre-cut samples of some of their most popular stones.)

I think what really amazed me was not only the etching, but that lemon and vinegar took the color out of the base stone.

The quest for the perfect white granite continues.....

bbstx,

Super White and Andromeda White are not granites.
They were brought onto the market a few years ago as a quartzite, which is harder than granite. Unfortunately the material is "soft" in some spots which is the part of the material that is etching.

We only sell it as a marble, honed, now. Under the name of Cypress. It has a few other names as well.

Blessings

I called the granite yard today. The sample I got was neither sealed nor resined. They will give me another sample that is sealed. However, considering vrjames' comments, I seriously doubt this is the stone for me.

vrj, wouldn't honed stain more easily? The only thing that seemed to stain my sample was red wine that was left on overnight. That left a pale pale pink stain. I guess the lemon and white wine vinegar removing the color could be considered a stain, too.

I think I may just go look at a whole slab of Caesarstone Misty Carrara. I'm not much for high maintenance finishes.

bbstx,

I have never considered honed more stain prone than polished,Kevin or Adriana may have more experience with the difference.

Based upon what you have written, I would suggest you move to a granite or a true quartzite. Or go with the solid surface. Marbles and marble like materials are not for you.

I have a granite kitchen table for almost 20 years. I didn't know anything about granite and treated it like tile. I've only cleaned it with Fantastic, Windex, sponge with Dawn detergent and spilled every imaginable liquid on it and it still looks the same.

I never knew it required any special treatment. It truly looks the same as the day I bought it.

Jane

{{!gwi}}

Vrjames, I think your post is a good testament to how much variance in "Granite" names there is... My Andromeda White is not a quartzite and it does not etch at all. And trust me, I brought my sample to my lab with me and through everything at it but the lab sink.

Trust me Alku,

I have seen the pictures of your kitchen. It is beautiful, and it is a quartzite. As I said, the material when it is right is harder than a granite, will not etch or scratch.

The problem with the quarry is the material is very inconsistant. We have found soft spots in nearly every bundle we have seen and purchased.

The names put on by other suppliers and Brazilian factories does not make the material itself different in this case.

I am so glad your counters are serving you well.

Blessings

If you test the Kashmir white, which I did also, make sure you test an oil like vegetable oil on it. I was close to getting it because it seemed to pass all my food tests until someone suggested the oil. It turned into a sponge. I could see it from the edge of the sample and it soaked at least 1/4-1/2 inch deep into the stone. It did not "disappear" on its own as some suggested it might. I can't imagine if a knife with some butter still on it was placed on the counter, a little salad dressing splashed or spilled, etc. Can you see any kind of frying around the stove? It did not take very long to stain from it.

Sue

Yes Sue,
Casmire White is like a sponge. It is one of the most porous granites available, and is the darling of the solid surface industry to use when they talk about "high maintenance" granites as if they are all the same.

Thanks, all. I really appreciate how generous you've been with your time and knowledge. This is so frustrating! I've even thought about changing to a butcher block, but that is just a different set of problems.

Do a search for the "white granite" thread. It must still be here someplace also search Stone Girl. Back a few years ago she was very generous with information about why granite needs resin and the sealing process.

I have white fantasy quartzite and I could start a bonfire on it and put it out with vinegar and it wouldnÂt hurt it a bit.

partst, ROFL...you must have seen me cook! I've read that thread before. Will have to look at it again, and take notes this time.