How Do I Get My Granite to Shine Again
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Granite is a cute and pop soapstone that is known for its vivid shine. One of the most mutual building materials yous'll see in homes today, granite makes for fabled countertops and flooring. It's well-known that granite needs to be polished every so often, as its distinctive shine tends to dull and fade over time. In this post, we will go over a few different means to bring the shine back to your granite countertops.
Here are the best ways that y'all can bring the shine back to your granite countertops:
- Use Store-bought polish.
- Use an electric polisher.
- Use a granite sealer.
- Use a homemade polish.
Read on to larn more almost the steps involved in each of these polish application methods.
How To Get Granite Countertops To Smoothen Once again
Restoring the polish to granite tin exist a fairly easy process, depending on your chosen method. While re-sealing and electric shine applications tend to last the longest, there are definitely other methods that you can utilize to touch on up the shine on your countertops in a matter of minutes.
ane. Use a shop-bought polish
I of the quickest and easiest ways to add shine to your granite countertops is to utilize a store-bought polish to them. This method is definitely DIY and budget-friendly, with most granite polish costing $20 or nether.
Things yous'll demand:
- Granite shine
- A mild soap or dishwashing liquid
- Cleaning gloves
- 2 dry smoothen cloths (or microfiber cloths)
Decide on a moisture or dry shine
It's important first to decide whether you lot volition use a dry or wet polish on your countertops. Dry polishes tend to be ameliorate at getting rid of scratches and are usually less expensive. Exist cautious when choosing your wet polish, as you typically desire to stay abroad from anything containing bleach or ammonia.
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Clean the countertop
Start, remove any items on your countertop. Next, make clean the countertop using a wet dish towel with warm water and a little dish soap (a mild i).
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Utilise the polish
Use the polish according to the directions on the back of the production. If the polish is a spray, exist sure non to spray the back walls of the countertops accidentally--and it'due south really better to simply spray your dry cloth instead of the countertops. Never use more than the recommended amount of shine, equally it could damage your countertops. Also, you lot'll want to stay away from coarse or grainy shine products, as they may scratch the surface of your countertops. When applying the polish, employ circular motions to buff information technology into the surface of the countertop.
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Dry & buff out the polish
If you are using a wet polish, this stride may not be applicable. However, if y'all are using a dry out polish, information technology will need to be removed with a soft cloth. Be sure to continue to use circular motions to remove all of the smoothen from the countertop as any leftover polish tin can cause stains and streaks. Microfiber cloths work best for this chore.
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2. Use an Electrical Polisher (Pro recommended!)
This method is a bit more involved just can be a DIY projection though it is strongly recommended that you proceed with caution before attempting to smoothen your own countertops. Most electric polisher sets tin can be purchased for under $200.
Things you'll need:
- Electric polishing tool
- Granite polish
- 2 microfiber cloths
- Wooden stick applicator
- Dust mask
- Handyman gloves
- Safety spectacles
Speedily prepare the surface
Showtime by clearing off the countertops, removing any personal items, and wiping information technology down with a dry cloth to remove any debris.
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Hitting the edges
First, use a l or sixty-grit sandpaper disc to polish out the countertop's edges (it'south better to starting time with a rougher dust first). If this is your starting time time using an electrical smoothen tool, start by lightly pressing the tool against the surface to familiarize yourself with the corporeality of pressure level needed to sand the surface. After you sand the edges, apply a 120 or 150-grit disc to the shine tool and apply information technology to the edges to continue to smooth out the surface. Afterwards you've sanded the edges, wipe them down using a clammy microfiber cloth.
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Employ the polish
Supercede the sandpaper discs on your polishing tool with the buffing pad. Next, use your wooden stick to apply a small amount of polish to the polishing tool. Start on the countertop'south left side and work your mode to the right going from top to bottom to polish the countertop. Equally you proceed to buff the countertops, you will notice the polish getting thinner and the shine starting to come up back to the countertops.
3. Apply a granite sealer
You lot can besides apply a sealer to your granite tile countertops to restore their shine (equally most contain smooth). A sealer tin be purchased for under $20 online, and it just takes a few minutes to utilize to the countertops too, and then it's definitely a DIY-friendly projection.
Things y'all'll need:
- Granite sealer
- 2 microfiber cloths
- Handyman gloves
Clean the countertop
Remove everything from the countertop and wipe information technology downwards with a spray bottle and a moisture microfiber cloth to clean it. Be certain that it doesn't contain whatsoever debris or dirt.
Apply sealer
Spray the sealer on your microfiber cloth and employ it using circular motions. Commencement from the left of the countertop and work your way to the right.
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Let information technology dry out & utilise more coats
Nigh sealers will dry in about 5 to 10-minutes. After the sealer has dried, apply a second coat. If yous experience that your countertops need an additional coat or 2 (which can offer additional protection and long-lasting shine), exist certain to bank check the sealer's characterization to ensure that this is okay to practice (well-nigh sealers tin be applied in ii to three coats).
4. Utilise a Bootleg polish
You lot tin as well brand your own granite shine correct at dwelling. The full cost of all the ingredients needed to make the solution should fall under $20. It's always best to do a test patch when applying your ain smoothen to your granite countertops, just to ensure that the countertops respond well to it.
Things you'll need:
- Spray bottle
- 2 cups of water
- 10 drops of essential oil
- ¼ cup rubbing booze
- 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap
Prepare the countertop
Remove everything from the countertop and wipe it downwardly with a spray bottle and moisture microfiber cloth to clean information technology. Be sure that it doesn't contain whatever debris or clay.
Create the shine solution
In a spray bottle, combine the water, alcohol, dish soap, and essential oil.
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Wipe down the counter
Adjacent, spray your solution onto your microfiber cloth and utilize it to wipe downwardly your countertops in a round movement. This solution tin be used for daily care to restore the polish to your countertops.
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Common Types of Granite Finishes
The natural polish to your granite countertop will depend on the type of cease that the granite has. Let'due south discuss the types of granite finishes that are most ordinarily used.
Honed
Honed granite has a super polish surface that has a matte or satin-similar finish. It's not particularly reflective and can add character to both rustic and contemporary habitation decors. Honed granite countertops tin can be easily cleaned using a stone cleaner (some cleaners also comprise a modest amount of sealant) with a soft cloth fabric.
Polished
Polished granite is probably the most normally used countertop option. It has a highly-reflective surface with a mirror-like finish. Many consumers honey polished granted because it works well to accentuate this soapstone's natural textures and hues. The naturally-shiny appearance also helps to make your kitchen appear a scrap brighter. And since the stone's surface is sealed, polished granite is stain-resistant and easier to clean.
Flamed
Some consumers as well prefer the appearance of flamed granite. Flamed granite is created when the stone is exposed to extreme rut, which causes the small grains inside of it to burst. When they burst, the color of the stone changes equally its crystals are exposed. This cease has more of a natural await and a rougher texture than polished granite. Flamed granite has a highly porous surface, so it will need to be sealed effectively to avoid stains, moisture, and engrained dirt particles.
Does granite sealer make it shine?
Sealers don't necessarily brand granite shine unless they besides comprise a polishing component, which many do. Sealers' purpose is to fill in the porous gaps in granite'due south surface to brand it more than harm-resistant.
Can I hone my granite countertop?
Yes, y'all can. Notwithstanding, for the most part, honing granite countertops afterwards they are installed is not recommended, every bit information technology can be a very costly and cumbersome project. Information technology'south probably all-time to accept a professional person do this for you.
What is the difference between honed and polished granite?
The main departure betwixt the two is the appearance of their finish. Honed granite has a matte finish, while polished granite has a very cogitating, shiny end.
How do you polish a granite countertop?
A granite countertop can exist polished using store-bought smoothen (moisture or dry), homemade polish, or past re-sealing the surface with a sealer that contains smooth.
Does dish soap deadening a granite countertop?
Yes. While dish lather is non necessarily bad for granite countertops, it can cause them to develop residue over time, which dulls their surface. This can be quickly fixed by simply applying smoothen to the countertops with a clean textile.
Can I use cooking oil to shine a granite countertop?
Aye. Applying a very modest corporeality of olive oil or vegetable oil will not damage your granite countertops and may assistance to restore polish temporarily. However, granite smoothen perchance a better and longer-lasting option.
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Why is my granite countertop cloudy?
If your granite countertop is cloudy, information technology'due south most likely due to an accumulation of rest from dish soap and greasy food. Applying polish to your granite can help restore its shine.
Wrapping Things Upwardly
Getting your granite countertops to shine again tin be washed in a affair of minutes--and for nether $20!
Earlier you go, be sure to check out our other posts:
What Color Cabinets With Black Granite Countertops?
How Thick Should Stair Treads Be?
Source: https://kitchenseer.com/granite-refinishing-how-to-get-countertops-to-shine-again/