There are tons of reasons why granite material is such as prevalent material to use for kitchen countertops. They look dashing, are incredibly durable, are available in diverse layouts, and could set your kitchen apart from the ordinary.
Like any other material, granite countertops could also use a bit of maintenance if you want to avoid them looking dull and less impressive than they used to. One of the best ways to preserve your granite countertops is through polishing.
In this guide, we’ll discuss some of the different factors to consider and how to polish your granite countertops that will effectively keep them looking good as new.
Why do granite countertops fade?
First and foremost, let’s discuss what exactly makes your granite countertops look dull and worn. It is essential to consider that granite countertops, especially inside the kitchen, are prone to many substances that may gradually contribute to losing their shine. This often includes water, soaps, grease, oil, food, coffee, and other chemical build-ups that coat your countertop’s exterior, making it look dull and worn out after a few years.
What tools do you need for polishing granite countertops?
Revitalizing your granite countertops requires a few tools and compounds that will make the procedure much easier and more effective. Here are some basic materials you’ll need for buffing granite countertop.
- Backer Pads
- Granite Polishing Pads
- Polisher Grinder
- Polishing Compound
How to polish granite countertops?
Quick and easy granite cleaner compounds often do the trick for achieving that nice and shiny exterior look. However, when deep scratches and other damages are already making your granite countertops look dull and old, you’ll need to approach it using power tools for in-depth restoration.
- Mark the area where you’ll be working on.
- Spray water into the section of your countertop that you plan to polish.
- Before beginning to polish, ensure your polisher grinder is flat on the surface to prevent unnecessary damage.
- Begin polishing and position your rear hand on your hand power tool’s body while the other hand is on top of the head. This technique will help you to apply pressure downward as you run through the surface gently.
- Follow a circular pattern as you polish your granite countertop.
- Take breaks and use a dry towel to remove dust regularly to inspect if you’re achieving the desired look.
- Repeat the procedure until you’re satisfied with the finish.
- Squat down to an eye-level position with your countertop to properly inspect if you need more run-throughs.
- Continue with the procedure until you can no longer distinguish the area you are working on as it blends in with the rest of the countertop surface.
- The final part of the process includes a polishing compound that will significantly bring back that previous glow or shine of your countertops.
How often should you polish granite?
Granite Countertops are often one of the main highlighted features you’ll first notice when entering the kitchen, which is why preserving its lovely finish is vital for your interior’s aesthetics.
So how often can you polish granite? The standard procedure of polishing includes power tools, and polishing compounds are typically done at least every 5-15 years, depending on the current state of your granite countertops.
Suppose you want to keep them looking nice and clean daily. In that case, you can opt for quick and easy maintenance methods that only include formulated compounds like this granite counter cleaner that will help restore your countertop’s shiny exterior within minutes.
Can you polish granite countertops on your own?
There are numerous different methods from various resources online like this, which you can follow step-by-step to achieve a better-looking finish for your granite countertops. You could polish your granite countertops if you are willing to do the necessary research for safety purposes and avoid errors.
However, letting professionals handle the task is always the better alternative if you have the budget, as they’ll have more knowledge and experience to do the job more effectively.
Final thoughts
With the right tools and proper techniques, you should be able to enjoy your gorgeous granite countertops on a daily basis. Hopefully, this guide has provided you with enough information that you can apply for your own.
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