This is a large white Dolomite Quartzite stone kitchen island counter top that was ordered as a polished finish but the homeowners had wanted a honed finish. The granite shop installed the island and attempted to put a honed finish on themselves.
I was called in by the granite shop to remove circular scratches left by the use of a 120 grit diamond abrasive pad and slight warping from the use of a flexible pad not designed for surface honing.
In the picture above, the homeowner marked all the spots of etching left from acid-based liquid spills. This is a new installation and shows how delicate white stone can be in a kitchen.
Satin vs Matte Honed Finish
I met with the homeowners and discussed the different finishes available to them. The existing finish above is a satin honed finish. It has a slight sheen to it and looks almost polished from a distance. A matte honed finish is duller but hides scratches and etches better. Another plus is that homeowners can work on it themselves with a little practice and the right equipment, saving maintenance costs down the road.
The client liked the idea of the Quartzite counter having a matte honed finish because it can hide scratches and etches better and the duller color of the stone would be more contrasting against her black Absolute granite countertops.
Protection during restorations
I take time and care to create plastic barriers around the edges of countertops to contain any runaway slurry from the grinding process. I use water so little to no dust is created. All areas are cleaned up so that there is nothing for the homeowner to deal with after the restoration.
Recommended Maintenance for Quartzite Counter
I always recommend to clean and seal any white marble or stone every year, especially when used as kitchen countertops or bathroom vanities. The homeowner can do this on their own, in between professional cleanings and sealing. Homeowners can use DuPont BulletProof sealer as it is not flammable. The stronger sealers should be left to professionals.