Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Removing acid stain on granite
Ed. note: For other than acid stains, please see thread 11302, "Remove stains from Granite countertop" for dozens of perspectives on removal of different types of stains.
Q. I have spilt 'Black-it Patina Solution' (used for blackening solder) on a 'emerald pearl' polished granite kitchen worktop - and it has caused a white stain on the granite due, I am advised, to the sulfuric acid in the solution. Can anyone please advise me how to remove the stain and restore my kitchen in time for Christmas. I would be very grateful.
Theresa K [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]- Bromley, Kent, England
2000
A. The Acid has reacted with the Granite and etched the surface very slightly. It is quite possible that the damage is minor but the most reasonable method of restoring the surface is by polishing.
Two paths could be taken, first check Granite and Marble suppliers to see if they offer supplies or a service to polish. Second, go to an automotive store and buy rubbing compound
⇦this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links] and an electric polishing machine
⇦this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
(this machine will reduce a few hours of work to several minutes). Then, following the instructions with the compound, re-polish the counter top. The Granite is quite hard and you have little chance of damaging it further by repolishing.
- Burbank, California
Thanks, Jaye. I'd agree that the rubbing compound
⇦this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links] brings little risk -- except that removing stone while still leaving a visually flat surface isn't dead easy :-)
I think the repolishing of the stone may be a job for a professional, or at least someone with a little experience with it. Trial and error learning on your countertop doesn't sound really promising to me.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Removing acid stains from black granite floor
Q. I have black granite (nero assoluto) flooring in my powder room. It is a new home. Last week someone came to repair some scratches on the pedestal sink. He placed the bottle on the granite floor. I think the solution was an acid based solution. I noticed this week that there is a white ring on the floor which was the result of him placing the bottle on the floor. I tried to remove it with a light abrasive cleaner (Vim) ... it does not come off.
Can this stain be removed? If yes, how? It is very noticeable.
A response would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Floreana Massaro- Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada
2001
Q. This same thing happened to me, same black granite, except I think it may have been a cleaner I used in the bathroom. Did anyone respond to your inquiry? It really looks bad.
Thanks,
David Moore- Pensacola, Florida
2004
Granite counter damaged by cleaner containing citric acid
Q. I have a granite bathroom counter top of Madura beige (light-colored) granite. The stone directly around the sink has turned dark, I think due to using a common bathroom cleaner in the sink that contained citric acid , which probably came in contact with the counter while wiping down the area. The darkness makes the granite look permanently wet, even though it is not. Is there anything I can do to restore the original look.
Susan Andrew- Wilmington, Massachusetts
2002
Q. Zap Restorer spilled over under my sink on a soft cloth and my housekeeper proceed to wipe down my granite counter top and my oven, micro wave doors. It was so strong it removed the name (GE) from my micro wave doors. How can I remove the streaks from these surfaces? HELP!
SANDIE OBALLEhousewife - San Bruno, California
February 18, 2008
Q. Lime-a-way:-(
Yes, I did it... I know it says not to but I used it around my faucets on my granite counter tops and now there is a cloudy white mark all around my faucets. is there anything I can do to fix my granite counter tops?
homeowner - Birmingham, Alabama
July 9, 2008
Q. How can I remove a white stain off my granite countertop?
My husband accidentally spilled some acid to clean the rims on the granite and it turned white. What should I do to restore the shiny look (granite original color is brown and black).
- Houston, Texas
September 7, 2016
A. Time to review the difference between residue and etching.
Residue is when a foreign material has dried on the surface. Typically you just need to re-wet the material with an appropriate solvent (possibilities include water, soapy water, acetone
⇦this on
eBay
or
Amazon
[affil links] Warning! highly Flammable!
, rubbing alcohol, etc.) and then wipe it up.
Etching is when the foreign material has eaten away some of the surface. This can change the texture and/or chemical make-up of the affected areas, which changes the appearance to the naked eye. Shiny surfaces are generally shiny because they have been polished with fine abrasives to a high level of smoothness. Think of it like how a wood surface is sanded until it is very smooth. Etching is like un-polishing, it increases the roughness. Think of that like bashing your smooth wood in with some pointy metal things, like a meat tenderizer mallet. The only way to get that wood smooth again is to sand it down all over again.
Acid on stone? Almost certainly etching.
Ray Kremer
Stellar Solutions, Inc.
McHenry, Illinois
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