@Marble Guy - I am planning on a honed finish. Does this work with MORE ANtiEtch? I've never heard of this and wonder why more people don't use it.

Yes it looks great with a honed finish. The applicator can adjust the shine to honed or polished just like natural stone. It is a product that is commonly used and is changing the industry.

@Marble Guy - Thank you. I will definitely look into this. I wonder why more people don't use this as so many people love marble, but not the etching and staining?

A lot of people do use it. check it out on hidden potential!

@Marble Guy - Haha - I saw the girl use it on HGTV's Rock the Block - However, I don't take design advise from those shows as I feel they're not very good.

Hi Design Girl - wanted to report back to you since I've had the same struggle. I got to test the More Anti-etch today (on I believe some Calacatta marble). The good news is - no etches & the finish looks natural. The bad news is both mustard and curry powder left a stain, the mustard was the worst. Ugh. Maybe with the reduced stain problems with Danby it would be a great combo but for $$$. Also, you are not supposed to use abrasive cleaners on the More (which makes sense), so I wasn't even really able to try to remove the stain with Comet, etc (which reportedly you can do with Danby). I was quoted $70/sq ft to apply More for a honed finish and $80/sq ft for a polished finish. Not quite worth it to me if it fails 3 hours of mustard.

For that I think I will just embrace the beauty of the marble, etches and all. Hope this is helpful!

Edited: price corrected!

@Jen S - THANK YOU SO MUCH for reporting back. I had heard that it could be $100/sq ft in my area (outside NYC). How disappointing that it failed the stain test. Regular sealed marble should reduce staining. I was thinking I could get away with no etching and maybe that's true, but I'd much rather have etching than staining. I wonder if the product just gets rid of etching and in the process leaves the stone more susceptible to stains. Considering the price and the size of my kitchen, it's almost the cost of another slab. I will embrace the imperfections and just live with the beauty of the patina. Thanks again.

Hi @designgirl @jen - there is a 10 year guaranteed warranty against staining and etching, that is the difference of AntiEtch vs any other solution. Can I ask what you tried to clean with after doing your stain test?

Using the proper cleaner according to the care and maintenance sheet will remove easily. It specifically calls out mustard right on the sheet.

Using the proper cleaner to clean up a stain versus having a full a restoration specialist out to remove one is a big difference.

Hi Marble Guy - fair point. The sample is the applicator's and a large beautiful sample so I wasn't too aggressive with trying to remove the stain. I used some Fantastik spray and a little elbow grease. This did actually seem to remove the curry powder when I repeated it this morning. And interestingly the mustard stain seems to be fading but still there. The applicator didn't give me the care and maintenance sheet and I don't have any of the MORE cleaning products on hand, so it is possible this stain could be removed. Will try to add photos in a separate post.

The only thing I worry about with the warranty - what happens if More Anti Etch goes out of business in 3 years??

More Anti Etch test, clockwise from top left: coffee, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, curry powder and tumeric, mustard, ketchup, sriracha (left on x 4 hours)

After removing test (4 hours) and cleaning with dish soap and then Fantastik:

After leaving overnight and 1 more quick round with Fantastik and a little elbow grease. I think it's faded enough that I could live with it, but not quite as bulletproof as I was expecting. Again, possibly could be removed with the right product but since this sample isn't mine to keep I don't want to scratch it.

My conclusion - for myself only - is that I'd rather try to see how the Danby marble performs, if I'm happy with removing stains and etches with the Comet trick (because I won't be able to do that as soon as the Anti Etch goes on). Then if I'm not happy I can fork over the money for the Anti Etch later. Honestly if it wasn't SO expensive (>$5k just for the Anti Etch for my kitchen) I would still consider it, but not worth the money if I may be happy with the Danby as is.

Hi @jen s

Very cool testing you did! Nice work. Yes I totally get why you wouldn’t want to experiment the cleaning method if it is not your sample.

For the care and maintenance, it specifically calls out mustard and to use a alcohol based cleaner to remove. If you had acetone or isopropyl alcohol laying around, it would resolve it instantly.

Hi Design Girl & Marble Guy - thought you deserved an update - I did try rubbing alcohol and I think it removed the mustard! So that's a good thing. Hmmm. Ok I probably would go with the Anti Etch if it wasn't so pricey... I will say that it does not feel plasticky at all, and you can't tell it's there.

Jen s, marble guy, thank you so much for this discussion! I just talked with fox marble today and am on the fence because of the price but thanks to your awesome pics at least I know it works.

StoneGuard is impossible to stain or etch. Doesn’t delaminate, dull or anything. Lifetime warranty, easier to apply, much less expensive

@Final Seal Pros - It seems that is a film that goes on top. I would expect it to look or feel like plastic.

That’s precisely what it is, but it gives no feel if plastic or look what so ever. It’s a specialty film specifically patented for Stone. We have done hundreds of kitchens in a short time, people love it.

@Final Seal Pros - as a plastic film, does it contain BPAs? I cannot find this info anywhere.

Email us and I can send you the MSDS

Also it’s made of PET which contains no BPA’s. So the answer is no

@jen s what did you decide to do with your Danby, and what were the results? Thanks!

@design girl, Jen s which sealers did you go with? Would love an update!!

Hi ARK Sj and Elizabeth - the update is that I love my Danby and it has held up pretty well. The installers put on a sealer (not sure which one) and around 6 months we ended up doing a "Granite Gold" sealer for the kitchen.

I did try the MORE Anti Etch - I ended up installing it only in my pool bath. The people who installed it were so kind and highly recommend if you need marble help near Jax, FL. I like the durability (it works!!!) but for me the stone looks more matte/flat and I ended up not proceeding with the Anti Etch on my kitchen - because my Danby has a beautiful almost leathered finish that the product couldn't duplicate. So far the Danby has help up well with some etches, most become less noticeable with time.

You can see the comparison in the finish in the photos here! Good luck in your decision.

Jen s—the Danby looks gorgeous!! Love that you used it on your backsplash too. Such a clean luxe look. Thanks for the update and photos!!

Hi Jen! I am in Jacksonville, FL and would love the name of the business/ installer for the Anti-Etch. Many thanks!

If you are in Houston Texas and you are about to install marble countertops or you are having marble countertop problems call Jerry with All The Marbles he has several options. THEY WORK!

Hello everyone. I just had More AntiEtch applied to my honed Danby countertops in the kitchen. I can’t see the product but it definitely changes the look of the marble. The new “look” is still very pretty but kind of loses the sparkle and somewhat leathered look it had before. Now it is more matte and feels super silky. My backsplash does not have the product on it. I can tell there’s a difference up close but I don’t think anyone else can. My concern with the More product is the scuffing and also what appears to be swirl marks left over from buffing it out. The applicator indicated there was still residue left over and it would come off with cleaning so I assumed that meant the swirl type marks but they haven’t come out yet. You can’t see either unless under the right light but when I do notice them I wonder if I replaced one problem (etching and staining) for another (scratching and scuffing). I never noticed an issue with scratching or scuffing before the More product was applied. I had etches before even though we were so careful. That’s what prompted me to get the More AntiEtch applied. I wanted to be more relaxed about using the kitchen. That said, I already see what appears to be scuff marks even though I have only had it 3 weeks and have been SO careful. Has anyone else had this issue and can you kind of buff it out with cleaning? Thanks for everyone’s help in advance.

Silence from the MORE applicators

HU:

I just looked into becoming an authorized MORE applicator and can tell you they don't just let anyone into the club. You have to be vetted, go to the training for several days, and buy a ten thousand dollar light capable of curing the product.

I would suggest kecrossley make her concerns known to the people protecting this brand.

Do they make plastic sofa covers to protect the silk brocade too?

TuffTuffskin does not look like plastic but the best is the “Old World Look” its 100% natural if you are in Houston TX. Our process looks amazing go to info@polishmyconcrete.net

Correct, The films definitely do not look like plastic and they’re certainly not “window films “ like some of the resin based installers claim. Looks really good actually

kecrossley!

Just wanting to hear how the scratching and scuffing is looking like now on your marble countertops.

Have the swirl marks disappeared as More's applicator said it would?

Hi tequila29,

Unfortunately, the swirl marks are still there. I think it has more to do with them not properly buffing the product out rather than residue left over. I have reached out to them again and they ignored me. I should probably contact More directly to see if there is someone they can send out possibly. We are ultra careful so scuffing is minimal BUT the whole point of us putting the coating on was to avoid having to be ultra careful. I don’t notice any etching and stains, drip marks come up pretty easily. I will say water marks can be a pain to get out. All in all, I think I’d save the money and stick with the natural stone if I had it to do over again.

Hi kecrossley,

Thank you for the response!

I'm sorry that you have scuffs and swirls to contend with and that the applicators are now ignoring you. I wonder if the trade off of Anti-Etch from the staining and etching are scratches and scuffs.

I hope you have better luck with More and they can give you some solutions to minimize the apperance of the scuffs and swirls.

I'm very appreciative of you posting your experience with More's Anit-etch. There is very little online about other people's experience with this product. Considering its been on the market for 4 years, it seems to have gained little traction for private homes. Perhaps this is more popular for commercial spaces.

I thought Anti-Etch was the perfect solution for people who want hassle free marble in their kitchens but this does not seem to be the case. I will go back to contemplating compact surfaces or quartz though neither is 100% ideal.

Thanks again for posting.

Hi tequila29,

Sorry for delay in response. I have a honed finish so maybe it’s better if it’s polished? I will say staining does not seem to be an issue. Water marks are a bit annoying though. Etching isn’t an issue either. Perhaps the scuffs will kind of wear off in time? I just thought, like you said, it would be hassle free but they warned to be very careful about dragging anything, etc. It seems just act of gently pulling cell phone closer to you can cause a scuff so doesn’t seem like it takes much. I’ll try to get some pictures to capture what I mean. I wish there was more out there about the product also.

I will say if I had it to do over I would likely try to find a really cool quartz OR I would just leave the marble alone and deal with the etching, etc. If I did the More product I would try to have it put on before it was installed rather than after the fact like I did.

Hi kecrossley,

So are the water marks temporary? I can't imagine what this coating is made of if simply dragging a cell phone would cause a scuff. I mean cell phones are smooth and light. Its not like you're dragging a rough, heavy, rock across the surface. Pictures would be great.

Because More advertises the Anti-Etch as environmentally friendly, I reached out to ask them what the material is made of and how it is the product environmentally friendly and they didn't respond. This was about a week ago.

I did read in one article in which the marble installer said that you can just let a honed marble countertop etch all over and the look becomes uniform so it doesn't look noticeable. Maybe the scuffs will become uniform on your counter too. When you have some time, I would like to see what exactly the scuffs look like.

Hi! Kelsi - now that you’ve had it a while how has it helps up!? I just did mine and I can’t find how to care for it.

The swirls mentioned by kecrossly sound like it from the finishing done by the applicator. As has been mentioned, tumeric and mustard…if they do leave discoloration, will clean up with isopropyl (rubbing alcohol). The scuffs that have been mentioned can have various causes. When it is as sensitive as kecrossly says with scuffing, we’ve seen that on low hone/matte finishes, but it could also be from slight undercuring of the product during application. We have found that periodically using a stone counter ”polish” (spray and wipe type products that are generally marketed as stone polish, but also say ”can be used on stainless steel, quartz, etc.) will greatly reduce the chance of scuffing, especially from everyday use.

No point in paying all that money for a small improvement that leaves your stone looking flat and lifeless.

I agree that the AntiEtch product is not the best answer for every acid sensitive stone or for every homeowner. It all comes down to what the homeowner is looking for and expecting. That being said, it is a great solution to eliminate etching on many marble, onyx, and limestone slab counters. Whenever we are asked to apply it on a stone that could change in appearance after application we will do a sample ahead of time or at least thoroughly explain to the customer what to expect. On many types of marbles there is very, very little, to no difference in appearance.

Just installed More Anti Etch in my kitchen and butler pantry (marble/onyx respectively) what are you all finding is the move to clean the marble/onyx on an every day wipe down basis? A simple soap/water solution or something else? I noticed some light "etching" like marks on the marble but i can get it out with using method cleaner, but it doesn't seem to be the best cleaner to truly clean up the marble on an every day use.

I did a video on my more anti-etch experience comparative to my neighbors experience.

https://youtu.be/CN6Tc2EUmNk?si=bK-ctP4BmJBqscOY

We just had the anti etch installed on our Imperial Danby honed countertops. I have swirl marks all over my island from the machines that were used so I’m having it redone next week. There are also a bunch of areas that look like smudges that won’t go away and are especially visible in low light. As we were moving in we laid dishes on a big beach towel on the counters to dry. I feel like we were extremely careful, but could this actually cause damage? We’ve barely been in the house since install and haven’t even cooked yet so I can’t imagine what these countertops will look like when the kitchen is actually used. Is this to be expected with AE?

You should not have the issues that you are explaining. Sorry you have to go through the inconvenience of having it redone. MORE AntiEtch is just that…Anti Etch. you still have to treat the counters gently when it comes to scratches and abrasion, just like you would for the marble. The AntiEtch takes away the worry of splatters and spills of vinegar, citrus, wine, etc. Etching is the main thing that makes matble counters look bad, and this treatment eliminates etching.

Big scam.

I’ve been in the stone restoration business for over 20 years and have seen many other solutions to keep marble counters from etching over the years. The MORE AntiEtch treatment is the first one that actually caught my attention because on most stones, it maintains the look and feel of the stone and doesn’t look like plastic sitting on top of your marble counters.

When there are complaints about this product, it boils down to 3 problems:

1) The contractor not advertising accurately and setting proper expectations

2) If the contractor did explain the benefits and limitations, the consumer not paying attention and just thinking that the treatment will make their counters ”bulletproof”

3) Poor application/finishing by the contractor

The product itself does exactly what it is meant to do when applied and finished properly.

We always explain the benefits and limitations of the AntiEtch product to our potential customers, including providing them with a copy of MORE Surface Care’s AntiEtch Care and Maintenance Instructions and a copy of the Warranty to be reviewed before even approving the work to be done.

I feel that all AntiEtch authorized applicators should be very clear about the fact that the treatment will stop etching, but it does not stop scratching, scuffing, etc. Etching is the main eyesore on marble counters, and this product eliminates that problem.

"Big scam."

Tish:

You don't get to just make unsubstantiated allegations here and expect to get away with it. MORE Anti-Etch prevents marble from etching; that's fact. Some of the top stone restoration professionals in the country are authorized MORE appicators. Another fact for you.

I have to say - I installed my MORE Anti Etch product in two areas in my home Calcutta extra honed marble on my kitchen and on my butlers pantry which is Polished Onyx. both of them I use liberally - Acid, Wine, Indian food, cocktail making - you name it. I don't have a single stain on either coutner. Ripping margaritas with fresh lime juice. making lemon ricotta pancakes. Serving up Indian curries right on my marble. I never have to think about it, its freeing to live in the space and not in fear. We have had the product installed since last July '23 and no etching or staining at all. There have been some scratches and such - but this would be the case if ant-etch was there or not - we still treat the stone gently but mistakes happen. Staining and etching I can say does not happen in the least bit.

I will say it is slightly more noticable on polished surfaces than honed. That being said I wouldn't change a thing - the only person that knows its there on the polished surface is me, no one can tell if they didn't know. Absolutely worth the peace of mind and investment on very expensive counterop materials to stay beautiful longer