Can You Sand or Grind Marble Down?
Repairing or restoring marble surfaces is a viable do-it-yourself endeavor. Both polishing materials and diamond abrasive discs will successfully grind marble down, eliminating scratches and restoring the original polish and shine. In addition, sanding marble will remove light scuff marks, which are little chips or pockmarks at the surface of the marble caused by the impact of high heels or dropping heavy items. But some situations will require professional help. If marble includes uneven tiles, deep cracks or holes, or hairline cracks, you ought to have a specialist examine the marble.
Cleaning First
Before grinding or sanding any marble surface, it’s important to clean the region thoroughly. Dirt and dust will compress into the marble, additional scarring or discoloring the surface. Floor waxes clog abrasive discs, rendering them worthless. Vacuum countertops and floors prior to beginning your work. Wash the surface with a neutral stone cleaner. Acid or alkaline cleaners will etch the surface, adding to a work. If you’re uncertain of a cleaner’s pH, allow it to sit for five to ten minutes on a little patch of marble. If the marble appears cloudy after rinsing the area, it’s not a neutral cleaner. Do not use any cleaner tagged as a”stripper.” These cleaners soften and degrade marble; during grinding, you’ll lose more gems than you intended.
Repair Cracks
Before you sand or grind a marble surface, then fill in any small cracks. Grinding unrepaired cracks will cause the edges to chip, making holes. In addition, polishing grit or marble dust will fill the crack and redistribute over the surface during the next measure, scratching instead of polishing the surface. Hardware and specialty shops offer a variety of coloured epoxy resins to fill the cracks. Then you grind the epoxy in spite of the surface of the marble. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions regarding curing time. Improperly cured epoxy will pull out of the crack during grinding, making it necessary to repeat the procedure.
Polishing Compounds
Polishing compounds or polishing powders work well for smaller areas like kitchen or bathroom counters with very little if any damage. Utilize a handheld buffer to work the abrasive chemical over the surface. Utilize detail sanding instruments to reach into tight spaces and corners. Like sandpaper, these abrasives come in a variety of grits which range from coarse, used to remove shallow scratches, to very fine for polishing to a mirrorlike shine. For low-traffic areas, buffing the surface with the fine and very fine grit may be all that is needed to keep a like-new shine. Work from coarser to finer grits, recalling to wash the region thoroughly between successive grits. Buff small regions at a time until you achieve the look you desire before continuing on to another place. This is very slow work, however for smaller areas, it is less cumbersome than abrasive discs.
Diamond Abrasive Disks
For high-income areas such as lobbies, foyers, kitchens or living rooms, diamond abrasive discs work best for grinding marble floors. These discs attach to a floor buffer and arrive in coarse to fine grits such as polishing chemicals. Diamond discs help remove mild scuff marks. When using an abrasive disk, work with a slow side-to-side motion, making at least four passes over the same place before moving ahead. When you’ve finished a strip, overlap the edges of the new pass slightly to prevent lines of unpolished stone. Work from coarse to fine grits. For routine upkeep of less damaged marble, you may be able to use a fine and very fine grit to restore shine.