How to Polish Granite Counters - Granite Polishing

Do you want to learn how to do this? Check out: www.stonecareedu.com
To have these services done in Southern California and the Bay area please visit www.sureshinecares.com. Call us Now at 714-841-8300
This Granite counter was previously repaired by another vendor that sanded the surface and was not able to achieve a polish. After using a diamond to blend the surface a better than it was left, I used MB-20 Granite Polishing Paste to achieve a better than factory finish.
MB-20 os not a wax or coating of any kind and so the shine will wear like any other granite counter. MB-20 is not toxic and will not react with metal or other surfaces so you don't have to worry about getting it on your sink or fixtures, although you should wrap a little tape around fixtures to protect from the machine if you are getting close to them with the polisher.
While this process is definitely something that you can do yourself; it doesn't hurt to have it professionally done. Call Sureshine in Southern California and Parts of the Lower San Francisco Bay area to have your granite counters polished to a like new condition then sealed with a high quality impregnator.
Call us at 800-378-0266 or visit our web site at sureshinecares.com/
For products to perform this work and more information, please check out www.easystonecare.com/default.asp

[@codycharles7147]

I've used DiaGlo and MB-20 and the latter is best. but I always have trouble not getting swirl marks and consistency with diamond pads when top polishing. As a fabricator, it's not something I do everyday, any suggestions?

[@tedmcfadden]

Many operators get swirl marks when they run the machine too fast or use too much MB20. A couple of suggestions that I have been successful with is using a 5 inch backer pad on low speed. Use a little water between MB20 treatments to blend and remove streaks. Also you can use a little steel wool #0, on your machine and buff the streaks off as well. You should also try lifting up on the body of the machine with you are starting to get streaks, it will take weight off the head and allow the pad to buff the residue off the surface without burnishing it in.

[@Ochotona1]

What is the buffing pad? Can this work on obsidian slabs that are polished to a shine but have a "haze" in the middle of the slab. Where can one purchase the paste? Thank you.

[@tedmcfadden]

it should work on those surfaces. Here is a link: www.easystonecare.com/MB-20-Granite-Polishing-Cream-p/mb-20.htm

[@suefast1904]

Was there a sealer on this counter top? If so did you strip it and reseal after you polished? Thank you

[@tedmcfadden]

No need to strip impregnating sealers. Yes it was resealed after to insure stain protection, though the granite rarely stains whether sealed or not.

[@apostolicbible1]

It looks like you are using a 5" pad...is that correct? What speed?

[@tedmcfadden]

Yes I use a quick change adapter that allows me to change to different sizes as needed quickly. The speed on the Makita is always between "1" and "2" or around 600 to 1200 rpms. Here is a link to the backers: www.easystonecare.com/NSI-Phantom-SL3-Adapter-Backers-p/nsi-back.htm

[@ns671fr]

but if you wipe down the countertop, will the shine go away or it takes a really long time? a polish will always make it shiny, but will the shine stay long lasting like when it was factory shine new? I have the same problem thats why, a vendor worked on it and can't shine it

[@jesseesq875]

face polishing is a technique that requires great experience and knowledge . many ppl will tell u they can to earn a quick dollar but they either fail and the piece will look dull and will not shine and if it does it might look wavy from an angle. only trust the people that have 15 years + in the trade

[@tedmcfadden]

+ns671fr The shine does last. It is not a coating. This process is polishing the granite itself and leaves a beautiful clear shine when done.

[@tedmcfadden]

+Jesse Esq I have almost 30 years experience and I have taught people with zero experience how to grind and refinish granite in two days. Granite is easier than marble because almost all granite reacts the same during the grinding and polishing process. I respect your experience and years in the trade and wish you the best.

[@skisgy]

i need this asap

[@tedmcfadden]

Happy to help!

[@simplediagnostics]

At what RPMs should polisher be set to?

[@tedmcfadden]

600

[@RealSlooo7]

What kind of pad should I use? i do auto detailing, but don't have polisher for the countertop.

[@tedmcfadden]

+bigballar617 I use a white polishing pad but some prefer a hogs hair pad.

[@irishswede4993]

Thank you for the informative video. One question, how long does the shine last? Is it a permanent solution? We have identical granite as the one above, but unfortunately the installer came to remove some writing from the factory and sanded the surface leaving it very dull.

[@tedmcfadden]

It is permanent but it will not remove scratches from sanding the surface.

[@gfgneo]

Hi so is this shine permanent or not because in the comments you say that it is but in the description section you state that the sine isnt and that it will eventually dull. Please clarify

[@LouZandy]

I have a small piece of granite polished on one side and I'd like to polish the other... its currently VERY rough as it wasn't finished on that side at all... any suggestions ? thanks in advance

[@tedmcfadden]

Lou Zandy I suggest taking to a fabricator with a table polisher and have it done for you.

[@LouZandy]

thanks for reply.. can't do that as its installed and part of the right hand support of my vanity

[@tedmcfadden]

Lou Zandy is it the entire slab or just the edge?

[@LouZandy]

about a 2 foot by 3 foot side

[@tedmcfadden]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gorVdYd_fM-NldU

[@agngua]

Can you use this paste to remove water spots from granite monument ?

[@tedmcfadden]

Yes

[@tedmcfadden]

You need to remove the scale first though.

[@epaphvicadekunle7442]

Good morning how much is your granite polisher?

[@tedmcfadden]

Please look for it at easystonecare.com

[@robertromero8692]

It looks like you begin at 600 rpm, but then you move to higher speeds as the compound dries.

[@tedmcfadden]

Yes

[@davidmadrigal5614]

how much do you charge for cleaning a counter top? do you have a email address?

[@tedmcfadden]

[e-mail]

[@fderemiah]

I have tried the Hogs hair with my Makita polisher and even on the slowest speed, it just throws the polishing compound everywhere. Counter still looks like crap. I can't figure this out.

[@tedmcfadden]

+Fred Deremiah Hello Fred - Are you using MB20 or another compound? What granite is it?

[@fderemiah]

+Ted McFadden Hi Ted, thanks for responding. Yes, MB20 compound. The granite is on my bathroom vanity. Here's a link to a picture of it. It should reflect lights clearly but obviously does not. www.dropbox.com/s/5kuagpy7pr2lxr2/20151127_140955.jpg?dl=0

[@tedmcfadden]

+Fred Deremiah Please send another link with a wider view of the counter. In this picture there is a lot of graininess on the counter. The surface appears to be a little bit rough. If this is the case it may not shine like you wish. That being said, you should be able to get a lot more shine from this surface if you take your time with MB20. You should be running it on low speed with a 3 inch or 5 inch pad and either hogs hair or white pad. A white pad may provide a little more heat and get you a better shine. Please understand that this is NOT a wax, it is a polishing process that may require you to add a little pressure and will probably require multiple treatments. Because of the texture on this counter, I would probably use a few diamonds 100, 2000, and possibly 3000 prior to polishing.

[@fderemiah]

+Ted McFadden Thanks Ted. Here's another photo. I actually bought a diamond kit that goes all the way up to 10,000. My polisher goes from 2000 to 5000 RPMs. On the slowest speed it slings the compound everywhere. I may need to get a slower polisher. www.dropbox.com/s/x33azk828p7sacr/20151207_202425.jpg?dl=0

[@tedmcfadden]

+Fred Deremiah Your polisher is too fast. It should be no faster than 600 rpms on the lowest setting. You shoudl buy a polisher at Harbor freight or get the Makita 9227C (the polisher of choice for granite restoration). All the work is done at the lower speed.

[@jesseesq875]

makitas with variable speed is the key tho

[@tedmcfadden]

Yes. Makita or Milwaukee are the tools of choice.

[@thatguysson8241]

@@tedmcfadden fuck that, makita burns brushes quick. Metabo for the win

[@theebibisdad]

What do they do when your wax wears off? That's not how you polish granite

[@tedmcfadden]

it never wears off. It's a mechanical polish and yes it is how it's done. Gone are he days of the black buff and potea.

[@theebibisdad]

Ted McFadden you giys send samples ?

[@tedmcfadden]

Infidel G you can buy it here: www.easystonecare.com/MB-20-Granite-Polishing-Cream-p/mb-20.htm We don't send samples but depending on your location her may be a retailer in your area that has it for you to try. We polish 800+ kitchens a year with it. It's worth a try.

[@OnePointSix12]

*Hooo-leey-sshiiit*. I just grabbed my _Makita_polisher (exactly what you guys are using) with a brand new velcro car auto polisher, laid it on the countertop, and Googled, *DIY Granite Countertop repolishing*, and what did I see? The EXACT same countertop and the EXACT SAME Makita polisher being demonstrated in your video. Does Google have their "algorithm" mind reading or what?

[@TommyTom21]

OnePointSix12 Yes the google algorithm has a smart learning AI that adapts to your search history and recommends you items based off said search history. Its pretty cool but creepy at the same time.

[@tedmcfadden]

thank you

[@choraengittuk]

Etching

[@tedmcfadden]

Granite doesn’t etch with acids

[@jesseesq875]

auto detailing is nothing near countertops polishing and fabbing . don't get it twisted , totally different trades

[@tedmcfadden]

thank you

[@SamAdamFreeman]

Horrible title. If you're going to advertise, that's fine, title your video accordingly

[@tedmcfadden]

Sam Adam Freeman your welcome to your opinion. I thought specifically showing how to polish granite counters was enough for the title. I'm sure you'll find what you need elsewhere. Good luck.