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Natural stone can be divided into two categories. Granite which is a
volcanic type rock, and all other stones (marble, limestone, soapstone, slate, etc.) which are organic
stones. Each of these categories has their own characteristic potential problems such as staining
or etching, the solution we provide to resisting these potential problems, is a process called
sealing and waxing. The products we use are: a stone impregnator made by Maurizio Bertoli Stone
Care and a carnuba paste wax made by Protex Wax Company. The impregnator is silicone-based liquid
that is poured directly onto the surface of the stone and spread around, allowed to dry and then
the process is repeated. After these two applications the interior crevices of the stone should
be coated with the sealer. Then the wax is applied with another rag, in small sections, and then
buffed off with a new clean rag. Any excess is then removed with some triple zero grade steel wool.
Then the sealing and waxing process is complete and doesn't need to be done again until the
following year. Initially, this process will be taken care of by the installation crew and
then needs to be maintained by the customer. One way to tell if your counter is in need of
sealing and waxing is to put some drops of water on it and allow it to sit there for 10 minutes.
If it soaks into the stone then your countertops need to be sealed and waxed, if after 10 minutes
the water is still beaded up on the surface, then your countertops are not in need of sealing and
waxing at this time.
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Care and Cleaning
At the time of the installation of your granite/marble countertops will be sealed and waxed.
Now there are just a few simple care instructions.
Avoid leaving messes on the counter so that if there are any staining or etching qualities in the mess,
then you won't have a problem on your counter.
Do not use colored soaps,
they have dyes in them and could potentially stain your counter as can anything with a strong dye in it.
Do not use abrasive cleansers on your stone such as comet as it will break down your sealer and wax
leaving your stone unprotected. Products that you should use on your stone counter are water mainly,
dye-free liquid soaps like Ivory, or Maurizio Bertoli's marble and granite spray cleaner.
Marble and Granite Designs carries maintenance products such as sealer, wax, liquid floor cleaners and soap scum removers. Call us for more information at (707) 585-1135.
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3546 Santa Rosa Ave., Unit G
Santa Rosa, CA, 95407
Phone: (707) 585-1135
Fax: (707) 588-9180
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Jill Shrimp
Sales and Designs
Lic# 557858
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