Our seam looks like that in our white marble. From what I've seen on here, it is far from ideal, but our particular fabricators could NOT figure out how to make it better and definitely were making it worse in their attempts, so I just have lived with it. The worst part is the grooves/indents in the seam catch stuff from the counters and will get even more discolored/obvious.

I know for sure that it can be done better than that, but I know equally well that the guys who did that in the first place cannot fix it, else they'd have done it better in the first place.

This trade show exhibit has bookmatched slabs that are taken apart and reassembled repeatedly without adhesive and look better than the pictured marble seams.

This is an example of the seaming technology available with a Seam Phantom for those fabricators who don't have CNC technology. Again, there's not even any color matched adhesive in this picture. At around $1,000.00, there is no excuse for the craggy canyon these guys are trying to pass off as an acceptable seam.

Fortunately the seam is so fat, digging out the mismatched color adhesive won't be too difficult. I'd use a Japanese pull saw. I'd do a test first, but probably remake the seam with Integra's Chameleon. The chances of them making it worse are slim.

Before any of that, lay a straightedge across the seam and see if it rocks or if there's a substantial dip. If so, it's a do-over.

Joseph, after everything has dried, how do you go about making a seam tighter/more invisible? Our counters are already glued to the cabinets, so there's not a whole lot of play there. You can't really squeeze everything closer together now, can you?

I don't ha be marble, but this photo shows my bookmatched seem and a repair that was done to a broken edge

Hey Joe, or any other pros out there, exactly what instructions can I give to my fabricator other than to dig out the old epoxy, and redo with the chameleon integra glue. That alone wouldn't make the seam tighter would it? It would just change the color of the seam so it's a closer match to the marble?

The instructions to your fabricator are "my seam is unacceptable, fix it properly or pay someone else to". Yours is not to "instruct" them how to fix it. If you are asking for your knowledge that is great but making right is ion them as they are supposed to be the "professionals".

Thanks but that last comment is not really helpful. I will be asking them to fix it, but the more information I have to let them know how I want it fixed the better. And it would also reduce the risk of them making it worse by attempting a fix that may not be the best solution.

But if you tell them how to fix it and they make it worse then it is on you, you own the "repair" and any and all issues that go along with it because they were following your instructions. That is why you only tell them you want it fixed as it is not an acceptable seam......

I'm with millworkman,

I wouldn't tell them "how" to fix it. Tell them what you want the final product to look like and any numbers you can provide (seam to be less than .xx inches in width) etc. You want a tight almost invisible seam, show pictures. How they do it should be up to them since they are the trade professionals. If they can't achieve it then they should pay for someone else to do it.

"Hey Joe, or any other pros out there, exactly what instructions can I give to my fabricator other than to dig out the old epoxy, and redo with the chameleon integra glue. That alone wouldn't make the seam tighter would it? It would just change the color of the seam so it's a closer match to the marble?"

The seam would not be tighter, but it would match so much better the seam would be more inconspicuous.

There are tradeoffs here. If you still owe them money, you're in a much better position to make demands. How fussy are you? Are you prepared to stare at that seam every morning for the next 20 years, or are you going to put up with some short term pain for some long term gain? You are the only one who can answer these.

I took another look at the picture and the only real problem is the color match on the chipped edges in the whitest section. If that is removed even clear super glue scraped to flush would be an exponential improvement.

As for "instruction", let them know that you know the seam can be improved. Tell them they are getting one chance to make it right, but you'll leave the method up to them. If you aren't satisfied, you'll be hiring the repair out and back charging them. This is completely fair and if they have any brains at all, they'll jump on the chance, be grateful they've got such a reasonable customer, and will never do this again. They are welcome to contact me if they have any questions. For free.

Joe, thanks for the helpful advice. I called the fabricator and they will be sending a guy out to redo the seam. I've also been researching the Integra adhesives that you mentioned. One question for you, on the Integra web site, the picture samples they have for white marble show them using the "Transparent White" color as opposed to the "Chameleon". Is the Chameleon more of just a clear adhesive? Should I use the Chameleon or the Transparent White?

Although there probably isn't much difference, take their advice over mine.