When should you NOT be sealing granite? Granite sealer can prevent stains unless you’re sealing granite countertops that specifically should not be sealed (black granite for example). Now you’ve created a problem that even the best granite sealer and cleaner can’t fix.
Granite sealers are often misunderstood and misused as a marketing weapon. It’s the result of ignorance in the stone industry and malicious intent by sales people of competing countertop materials. See best sealer for granite.
It’s generally believed that when a material is delicate and hard to maintain, it needs to be sealed. The stone industry set out to solve the concerns of staining granite countertops by soliciting chemists to find a sealer for stone. Unfortunately, the chemists didn’t know the first thing about petrography.
Is your granite sealed properly?
Granite sealer, the miracle in a bottle, became what I consider one of the most over-
As a fabricator and installer, we always degreased countertops and gave them their final cleaning with denatured alcohol. Denatured alcohol, it turns out, does wonders for cleaning granite and cutting through film buildup on your counters. The result is the original shiny surface.
Cleaning granite countertops should only be done with specialized cleaners, not Windex or ammonia. The best performing product we have found is MB Stone Care MB-
We have provided this to all our customers as part of a stone care kit when we install a new countertop and when we show them how to clean granite. See Cleaning Granite Tops.
So What is the Best Granite Sealer?
Sealers for stone (also known as impregnators) are below-
They are delivered inside the stone by natural absorption.
Some stones absorb more than others. Granite sealer consists of a solid part, or resin, and a solvent or water carrier. The solid stays in the stone and clogs the pores of the stone to keep liquid stains out. The carrier brings the solid into the stone and then evaporates.
One of the most important phases of the whole sealing process, is the thorough and complete cleaning and removal of any residue from the stone surface. This prevents any alterations to the color or the finish of the stone surface. See Granite Sealers for suppliers of high quality granite cleaner and sealer.
Now, knowing that the resin is absorbed for the purpose of sealing the stones natural pores, it stands to reason that an impregnator cannot, and does not, offer any protection whatsoever to the surface of the stone –
It should be pretty clear that to work, an impregnator must go into the stone. But to do that, it has to be absorbed by it. Several commercial granites don’t absorb anything due to their inherent density.
Therefore no impregnator will ever go in.
If you apply it anyway, there’s the distinct chance that some of it will remain on the surface of the stone and it will be affected by spills, giving the impression that the stone is damaged.
This damage will appear in the form of “ghost water stains” or “water rings”. Some of the best stone surfaces available can be made to look “stained” by sealing them. When in fact, the sealer is what is stained. Do not seal granite countertops that do not need it. Especially black granite.
Try the lemon juice test
How do you know if sealing granite is necessary? See the Lemon Juice Test.
Different granites each have their own needs depending on how porous they are. Some granites never need sealer and should never be sealed (black stones especially). Others need several coats of sealer. Granite is very different than marble or limestone, so first make sure you are dealing with granite.
You can test your stone to see if it needs sealer by putting a few drops of lemon juice in an inconspicuous place. If dark spots appear quickly, the stone is potentially a problem since it is reacting with an acid. Chances are it cannot be sealed properly. This is what happens with limestone counters. If the drops take a minute or so to be absorbed, you can protect the top with sealer.
If the lemon juice doesn’t absorb at all, the stone does not need to be sealed. Contrary to what you may have heard, sealing granite is not always a necessary part of granite counter care. In fact, the performance of various granites can differ greatly. Some need sealer to prevent a granite stain while others don’t. MB Stone Care.
How to seal granite
Many granite companies use poor quality silicone or siloxane based sealers that require re-
We recommend and use a fluorocarbon alphatic resin sealer. Unlike silicon sealers, it will not evaporate or go through any type of natural deterioration. That is why the particular brand we use for all our sealing, MB Stone MB-
Unfortunately, fluorocarbon alphatic resin is more expensive, but you get what you pay for. And in this case it is peace of mind and easy maintenance.
If you’re dealing with calcium based stones like limestone or marble, no matter what sealer you use, you cannot avoid the damage caused by acids. Anyone who tells you differently is wrong.
Is sealing granite easy?
Sealing granite is as easy as spray on, let sit, and wipe off. There’s no polishing, buffing, or strange applicators. It literally takes minutes. And if you’re using high quality alphatic resin granite sealers, you don’t need to keep applying coats year after year.
Granite Sealing Instructions With MB-4
See Granite Repair for tips and resources to fix damaged and chipped tops.
Remove Soap Film On Granite Countertops
Return the shine to your granite tops. If you have cleaned your granite tops with dish soap, you can remove the soap film buildup with MB-
The Pro’s Choice For Sealing Granite
Save With Granite Care Kits
See all the products in the MB Stone Care natural stone care catalogue!
Are your granite supports strong enough?
Easily repair granite countertops with the Natural Stone Repair Kit. Everything you need to repair granite cracks and chips. Full instructions. Click on “Do It Yourself Products” at MB Stone.
Should you seal granite and marble tables?
The same great professional grade sealer and daily cleaner that we recommend, with the added benefit of major cost savings to you! You need both products, so how about a discount when you combine them in one purchase.
Unlike silicon sealers, MB-
MB-
Silver Kit – 1 Bottle MB5 & 1 Bottle MB4 $55.71
Gold Kit – 2 Bottles MB5 & 1 Bottle MB4 $68.72
Is Your Granite Sealed Properly?
As professional granite installers, we provide MB-
We researched and tested several stone sealers before choosing MB-
Don’t trust your granite investment to anything else . . . but MB-
Why should you seal granite? Granite is a natural product and inherently porous. It can stain.
Many granite companies use poor quality silicon or siloxane based sealers that require re-
MB-
Applied properly, this sealer will last 10 to 15 years and you don’t need to reapply before then! Full instructions and you’re done in minutes! Click on “Sealing & Color Enhancing” on the MB Stone Care Site.
$47.45
Don’t Clean Your Granite With Dishwashing Soap
What you read about granite care products can be misleading and vastly overstated. Cleaning granite countertops should only be done with specialized cleaners, not Windex or ammonia and never plain soapy water.
The best granite cleaner I’ve found and use in my granite countertop company is MB-
Effortlessly and effectively clean your stone countertops without leaving any streaks. Safe to use on stainless fixtures and sinks as well. You should clean your counters daily using a specialty product for stone, such as MB-
We provide this to all our customers as part of a stone care kit when we install new countertops and when we show them how to clean granite.
$14.45
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