What u need to know!!!
What is Polishing?
Polishing is the final step used to bring a marble, travertine or
other stone to a high polish (like new). There are many different ways and approaches to polishing
a stone. However, polishing at its basic level is bring a floor up to its highest level of shine
What are the different ways of polishing?
· Crystallizing – Crystallizing is the most common form of polishing. Most polishing compounds (compounds include liquids, pastes, and powders) are a form of crystallizing. Crystallizing is simply the process to dansify the surface of the stone by using friction (heat) combined with an acid to react with the calcium in the stone. The purpose of this process is to densify and harden the surface of the stone, thus helping polish the stone. However, most crystallizing products sold contain large amounts of wax. We do not use these types of crystallizers to polish a floor.
Like anything in life, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. In homes, crystallizing is a great option as the last step in polishing a floor because most floors will only require crystallizing 2-3 times in the time a homeowner lives in a house. Crystallizing takes lots of experience and understanding to become proficient. We know how to use the these polishes to strengthen, expand the life of a floor and protect it from losing its luster.
Many companies repeat what they read on the internet about crystallizing without becoming educated. These same companies will tell customers that crystallizing is bad for marble, while they are using a modified or hybrid form of crystallizing themselves. However there polish will not hold up since there polishing compounds contain larger amounts carnaba and resin wax to compensate. The result is these waxes will wear done or off the floor in a very short period of time.
Can crystallizing be harmful? The way we use crystallizers is good for the stone and your floors. However most companies use crystallizing incorrectly. Continued use of crystallizing a stone floor without properly diamond honing the floor (known as over-crystallizing). Secondly, using too much wax with the crystallizer. Third, many companies would only use crystallizing without diamond honing or cleaning floor first. In a home, over-crystallizing can cause a problem if this is the only method used to polish the floors over an extended period of time (for example, crystallizing a floor yearly can cause problems after about 7-8 years of continued polishing). Over-Crystallizing is mostly seen in commercial settings. In hotels for example, contractors will crystallize a floor weekly for years with tons of wax. The results can be a buildup of waxes that keep the stone from breathing.
· Non-Acidic Polishes – These types of polishes work great for a final buff. These types of polishes are much like the type of wax used to buff a car. They contain carnauba wax and other resin fillers that will help pop a floor's shine. However, these types of polishes will only last about 6 months.
· Waxes and Floor finishes - Floor finishes are not recommend for natural stone. Floor finishes are commonly sold in a gallon container and look like milk. They are applied with a mop. These products are commonly used to polish marble since they are the least expensive way to make a floor look good. Some of the negatives are as follows: The finished product can look streaky or have mop stroke marks. The finish scuffs and scratches up very easily. The cost to remove the finish can be expensive to get the wax finish off the tiles, out of the grout and off perimeter of the room. Strippers used to remove the wax finish can cause painted baseboards to need touch-ups.
I was told acid will etch marble. Can I polish out these acid marks on my own? No, is the best answer. Since the process of polishing takes one of our technicians a full year to become proficient in the use of acid-based polishes. And in some instances, acid can etch deep enough into the surface of the stone, requiring diamond honing sand past the etching. In very rare cases, homeowners may try non-acidic polishes to buff out these etches in the marble.
Will polishing remove the scratches or wear in my stone? In short, No. But sometimes a diamond-impregnated maintenance pad can be used in conjunction with a crystallizer to remove some light wear in the stone. This process will typically result in the floor having a plastic look since the wear is just being polished. The only way to truly remove scratches and wear in marble or travertine is with the use of Diamond honing pads.