It’s finished with too high of a polish. It needs to be matte, at a much lower grit. Then you get a velvet look, instead of splotchy. You will still get some splotch at first, but not dramatic.

Thank you. installer sanded with 120 grit. is that too high for PA?

Yes. You need 80.

Soapstone gets sanded…NOT polished…with 80 grit. Otherwise, the stone doesn’t ”act” like it’s supposed to. You wind up with water rings, and blotches, and it’ll be too shiny, not matte and sensuous to touch.

I’m guessing you bought your slabs from a regular stone yard that sells mostly granite, quartzite, marble, and the fake stuff-quartz…not a soapstone specialist, like M.Teixeira. A soapstone specialist would never have made that mistake.

Our soapstone, a hard variety, Belvedere, is almost 6 years old. Bought, fabricated and installed by M. Teixeira, we’ve not had any splotches or water rings. We oiled it at first, but after the second year, we stripped the oxidated oil off, (Comet, water and a blue scubby pad), and haven’t oiled since. Every 6 months or so, my husband will repeat the stripping process, to remove any natural occuring oxidation…from cooking splatters. Of course, they’re cleaned with dish soap and water, daily.

Hopefully, whoever fabricated your soapstone can properly fix the problem, so you can fall in love with this wonderful material, and enjoy your kitchen.

I agree with others, ours were finished with 80 grit. We haven’t oiled in years. It also looks like a lot of product. I was using a bees wax/mineral oil blend or just oil and rub off until no residue. I like the look oiled but no need and I can’t be bothered because I like them natural too.