Mont Blanc Quartzite with Gray Stains appearing

last year

last modified: last year

After two years of having Mont Blanc Quartzite installed from a supplier in Brisbane, CA, and fabricated by a fabricator in Cotati, CA, we’ve started noticing gray discoloration around our sink, stove, and along the edges of the countertops. The staining seems to be getting progressively worse.

Unfortunately, the supplier is blaming the fabricator, while the fabricator insists the supplier should take responsibility. This back-and-forth has been going on for several months now, and in the meantime, the countertop continues to darken.

Our fabricator is working on finding a solution to remove the stains and reseal the quartzite, but the supplier has not offered any assistance so far.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? If so, do you have any suggestions on how to remove the stains or advice on how to proceed? I’d greatly appreciate any help.

Graying at stove top

edges of counter tops

Gray with finger splaying on sitting edge of island (not near water)

Stone on walls and counters

Featured Answer

chicagoans

last year

last modified: last year

I'm sorry that's happening, and I'm sure it's beyond disappointing. It probably won't make you feel any better, but you're not the first one to experience this. You may want to read through some of these threads to see what others have done to address the same or similar issue with quartzite.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
I do hope someone can help you with this. What did the fabricator tell you about how frequently you need to seal this stone? 2 years seems like a long time to go with a lighter colored top and not getting it sealed.
S Suzy thanked Debbi Washburn
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chispa
last year
A common problem we see on these forums with the white/gray quartzites. Do a search on Houzz with "my quartzite is staining" and then select "in Discussions" and you will see lots of similar complaints.
S Suzy thanked chispa
S Suzy
Original Author
last year
The counter top was sealed two months after it was installed. It had picked up a red wine stain which the fabricator removed with pultice. I then sealed it 1 year later with 511 Porous plus sealer. Our fabricator consulted with a stone expert that suggest sealing with Stain-Proof by Dry Treat. This is an alcohol-based sealant which requires two coats. BUT he said it would take too long with heat to attempt to remove the present graying.
chispa
last year
Look up silicon bleed.

Was the range pulled out and the edges sealed?

Another search on Houzz for posts with similar problem:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/query/silicon-bleed/nqrwns

From that search:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2817726/water-issues-with-quartzite-help#n=152
S Suzy thanked chispa
HU-150726348
last year
We had Mont Blanc wuartzite installed 7 weeks ago. We contacted HydroShield for a top quality sealer. They said moisture levels for the stone need to be under 20% (with Klein meter) prior to sealing. Our stone is still not sealed b/c moisture levels are still very high (70%) in some areas. Majority of the stone looks dry but we are being told prematurely sealing can lead to moisture build up at any spot that the stone was cut as the moisture is trying to escape. Has anyone said that maybe your stone was sealed when it was still retaining moisture now causing the dark marks at the edges? Would love more insight on this if anyone professional is on here. Some fabricators seem to use the moisture meter and some go off looks. We are getting conflicting information meanwhile still without a kitchen while we wait to seal our stone.
Clyde Kalvin
last year
last modified: last year
Here are 2 of many posts about similar issues.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/4862644/white-macaubus-quartzite-stained#n=52

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5485633/quartzite-advice-the-counter-is-staining#n=400
S Suzy thanked Clyde Kalvin