Quartz does not need to be sealed. Installer probably goofed when he asked you that....then realized it was quartz....which is why he never came back to seal it. Sad that someone is going to have to eat this top. Tops shouldn't be that delicate. I'd love to know which brand and color this is. I will avoid it like the plague! It doesn't look leathered....looks more like a honed or suede finish. Leathered typically has more texture. Honed is a LOT less forgiving than a leathered finish.

You mention : So construction continues. People made marks on the counters - subs and two employees.

Who are they? Are they the fabricator's crew or the rest of the construction crew?

Ummm....you don't leather quartz. Quartzite, yes. Not quartz. Sounds like you have an incompetent fabricator. Contact the quartz manufacturer. They might call it a "leathered" finish, but it is not. It is honed. If the fabricator is trying to "leather" quartz, OY VEY do you have a mess.

It is NOT leathered. As I said, it is a honed finish. They use the term "leathered" to generate sales. The fabricator should not be doing ANYTHING to the quartz as far as the finish. It does NOT need to be sealed. CALL THE MANUFACTURER.

hmmm. If the fabricator did not damage the counters but others did then they are accountable for this damage especially in dealing with chemicals etc. They seemed to be careless and damaged your counter regardless if it was meant to be sealed or not in my opinion.

I do understand. Do you know what "leathered" is?? Doe the finish look like this? If so, then that is a first. Quartz finishes are either glossy or honed (matte). Die to the nature of how quartz is manufactured, (it's not a solid natural material - there is a resin binder) it cannot have a "leathered" finish.

Yes I understand that is the name. I'm just trying to tell you that "leathered" is a very confusing term - your quartz is really NOT leathered, and if the fabricator does not understand (and clearly they don't) the material, you need to call the manufacturer and get this issue addressed.

No one has advice on it because "leathered quartz" has simply not ever been a "thing". I don't understand why you would not call Daltile.

1) Contractors should always protect countertops from damage while they are installing said counters.

2) Quartz is not normally sealed.

3) No idea.

4) I think you chose the wrong product or the wrong fabricator.

Good contractors usually protect new countertops & or schedule the countertops to a time later when work is completed that could cause damage. I have seen job sites where contractors built a temporary plywood box over base cabinets with countertop to protect them while they worked.

This is a twofold problem. Non polished Quartz just behaves like that. It stains and blotches from Oils and dirt. Dealing with that is part of choosing non polished Quartz. So if you didn't want the extra maintenance, you chose the wrong material.

But the GC should always immediately protect the counter after it is installed. That is on the GC of the job. He should have let the first staining issue be all yours to deal with.

If he can't fix it, he buys you new. I suggest polished only.

You don't seal quartz. There are plenty of stories about the issues with matte countertops, so you may not have done enough research before settling on the product. Your GC is an idiot for not protecting a finished surface while work was still happening. Did he forget to protect the floors too? Or to put up plastic to keep the dust out of the rest of the house?

It doesn't matter what the countertop is. The GC should have protected it. PERIOD.

Yes, the GC should have protected it. The question is, can this be sealed to prevent further staining, or is this going to be an ongoing issue? If so, does Sarah want to keep it, or cut her losses and choose another countertop material?

You need a new countertop. If you have to get another quartz, get it polished. Your contractor should be responsible for damage that occurred while the project was being completed. Your fabricator should have warned you about honed or leathered or whatever they’re calling it. Lots of threads on here about how crappy these finishes are. Do your research and don’t get polished next time.

"jmm1837

Chessie - according to the Daltile website, OneQuartz comes in polished, semi polished, honed AND leathered finishes. Maybe this is something new."

Yes I had checked the website already - I have seen the term "leathered" used before, for quartz, but quite honestly it was always a "honed" finish - not a true "leathered" one. But yes this could be some new technology, agreed. Hopefully OP will keep us updated on the situation.

sarahbubbly, those pics look like the "concrete" quartzes that so many have complained about. Definitely would suggest that you rethink your choice of material. Please do keep us posted. (I still think your fabricator owes you new counters.)

I see you mentioned your quartz is Daltile One Quartz...Here are their recommendations for their matte surfaces.

Just as an FYI, this is Ceaserstone’s recommendation for their honed/matte finishes which I find unbelievably absurd.

Chessie why would the fabricator owe her a new counter? They did nothing wrong IF any one does it’s the contractor. But not even positive about that.

My quartz countertops are virtually maintenance free. The problem isn’t the quartz, the problem is the leathered finish.

Do you have a kitchen designer? Or just a contractor? Was anyone guiding your decision-making process, to let you know this was an issue? How about when the countertops were ordered? Others have said they were required to sign something about the extra maintenance when they ordered their countertops... was this the case with you?

This is one of those “you don’t know what you don’t know” situations. And, hopefully, you have someone helping you out that does know, or you research the heck out of things before you plunk down serious cash.

"tiggerlgh

Chessmen why would the fabricator owe her a new counter? They did nothing wrong IF any one does it’s the contractor. But not even positive about that."

I'm assuming the fabricator did the install and damaged the counters. Whoever did the damage should pay for it.

"sarahbubbly

How nuts. That’s not why people get quartz."

Agreed. It's why people need to steer clear of these finishes; they are simply not worth the hassle. Manufacturers are trying to mimic the granite and quartzite finish options, and it's absurd. Totally not fair to unknowing consumers.

Good luck!

If the contractor/sub/whoever damaged it, they owe you a fix or replacement. Doesnt matter if it’s easily damaged or not. If you damaged it, that’s on you. If they damaged it, that’s on them. I would make it clear that I am willing to try the sealer, but if I am not happy with the darker countertops then I am still expecting a satisfactory fix or replacement. Good luck!

There are several threads on here that have had a similar nightmare with leathered quartz. It's not a good idea, as you have discovered the hard way.

I hope you have raised holy hell with the contractor! Either his employees or subs damaged your pristine counters through neglect and laziness...too lazy to tape down a protective barrier as a precaution...what did he think would happen...he has obviously been in the construction trades for a while! I get why the counter people could not cover the counters...it takes time for silicon, etc.to cure...your contractor or his subs have NO excuse!

To blame you for the product choice is ridiculous...they damaged not you. Good luck on this and do not settle until you are satisfied.

What ended up happening? Did the sealant fix the issues? Or did you have to replace?

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