Find out what sealer the installer used and contact the manufacturer. There are a few different ways to remove certain sealers, so you don't want to make a mess of your new counters using the wrong product.

Your soapstone should have been sanded by the installer, ask what grit they used for the final sanding. This is what you should use if you need to sand your counters. Hopefully they didn't polish it.

Are you sure it’s soapstone you had installed? I can’t imagine people who install it for a living wouldn’t know that it doesn’t require sealing.

Yes, Sammy, it is. But the fabricator that I had install is usually works granite and marble. I went and found the slab at at a supplier. I was so disappointed that they sealed it. It didn't even occur to me that they would. I just assumed they would know not to!

Acetone will make short work of any sealer lying on the surface of soapstone. Just make sure you're safe. I just had a fireball in a stainless steel sink that went out before I could grab the faucet sprayer.

Did the acetone end up working?

Just had the same thing happen. Wondering if acetone worked?

K Flowerdot- The installers sealed my soapstone countertops, although they had been instructed in writing not to seal them. Although I was assured several times by my contractor that these fabricators were very familiar with soapstone, clearly they were not, nor apparently was he. The installers returned the next day and removed the sealer with acetone. My soapstone countertops are beautiful and matte, like I wanted, and I love them…but sometimes I wonder if the sealer had any lasting effect…although I don’t really think so. I’ve not had any problems with water rings, stains, etc. Soapstone is nonporous (which is why they don’t need to be sealed) so the sealer just sat on the surface…or so I was told. I would choose soapstone again, but I’ll be sure to use M Texiera for the fabrication next time.

I just had soapstone installed last week during my kitchen remodel and they had sealed it, even though in my contract I specified unsealed. Now I'm trying to work with the fabricator to take the sealer off. My designer said they use a product called: Tenax Sealer and Wax Remover. How does this compare to acetone?

Cynthia:

I'd use acetone, but open all the doors and windows and keep a fire extinguisher handy, please.