Did you wax the other remnant that has never gotten a watermark?

I'm certainly not an expert about SS, like many of the people are here, but it sounds like it's a problem with there being too much wax.

I had an issue with how much oil was left on my samples and wasn't happy with how greasy it seemed until I used a microfiber cloth on it to get the excess oil off. That made all the difference in the world!

Good luck!

It's a refinishing issue in my opinion. I don't know where you live but first contact your fabricator. If you are near the southeast...contact Florida Joshua from Creative Soapstone. In fact, he may current be on a trip up to the northeast right now making some stops along the way to refinish some stones for people on here who have had problems.

I don't have any experience with soapstone (other than loving its look), but wonder what is meant by its "softness."

"Soft" meaning its surface texture which is hard to describe--very smooth; hard, but not hard like granite, cool, but not quite as cold as granite.

Good description palimpsest. It's somehow not as hard as granite, but still a natural stone. The installers put a coat of something, not wax, but not traditional mineral oil. I kinda like it when it came in it's natural light gray. I guess I can't get that back unless we sand it. I haven't experienced any oiliness since I wiped it down after they left. I'd love for FloridaJoshua to work some magic on it, as I've gotten a water ring and ring from a can of Pam, but frankly I can't afford more costs. Anyway, I haven't oiled or waxed (since installers left) and it's lightened a little. I think the lighter color shows less marks. I think I'm learning to enjoy what someone called it's organic nature - like it's got a mind of it's own. Awaiting others advice on the rings....

Lake Girl: You can get back to the gray by applying either acetone or alcohol. Or scrubbing with Dawn or another cleanser. The wax is just a coating that will come off. I've had mine both ways, and we leave it now the natural gray.

As to the rings and the stickiness, I'm thinking it has to do with the wax you're using. I would bring it back to the natural gray, and if you want the dark look, either use mineral oil or a Bees Wax/Mineral Oil combo.

Rings and watermarks tend to come from finishing the stone to an incorrect grit.

I definitely got some funky rings and watermarks especially in the beginning, but interestingly mostly around the sink, and not other areas. I have Minas, which is pretty soft...and I recently graduated from the oil to the wax because I found the oil dissapated more quickly. I still get some spots around the sink where it comes in contact with soap and that cuts through the wax. My ss was finished to 80 grit...per my (soapstone only) fabricator. I know others here have had it as high as the 300s...but then it can be a 'fussier' finish from what I understand. I have been tempted to take the grit up slightly higher (like maybe 150) to acheive a smoother finish. But I'm a chicken in the end.
Not sure about the sticky part - it's especially odd if you used the same product on your other soapstone surfaces. You can definitely let it go gray by using just about any dishsoap and a sponge to remove much of the wax. That would take some elbow grease though! Keep us posted.

I love my soapstone black. I have not waxed it in at least 6-7 weeks and the color hasn't faded at all. I guess it's time to call my fabricator.

Again, ditto Marcolo

fivefootzero - I have cleaned it a few times with regular spray lysol kitchen cleaner (I think), and it's lightened some, but not like it was in the beginning. Interestingly, a smaller section on the other side of the stove hasn't lightened nearly as much as the rest. It's actually neat how it's all so different.

5'0":
How do you keep the soapstone grey?
Is it possible to keep it from darkening to black?
It's so pretty when light!
Thanks,
BT

i have the exact same stickiness problem - mainly on areas that i use the most & where hot water may occasionally drip (near stove). i have had the counters for two years, and use walnut oil. i've just scrubbed - letting mild spray kitchen soap soap settle in, then scrub with just a dishcloth. several x. a lot of areas still have rings (from long ago cups that made marks. these marks often come from travel cups made of non-china. rubber rings on bottom. any wet-bottomed pot will make marks that forever-after, will not come out. in the past, i just oiled again. now - i;m done with that. i just want non-sticky/gooey feeling. am going to contact the installer, who is several hours away in another state. regarding 'finishing'

I am pretty sure your problem is the walnut oil. Try scrubbing it down and using mineral oil instead. Or just leave it naked for a bit and see what happens. I use mineral oil (have tried the beeswax combo, but I think it's too much work) and have not had the problem you describe. The rings that you describe is from the object you've put down (lids, mugs, rubber, etc.) lifting up the oil, or so my installer has told me. I think he's right, because when I first oil, the problem with rings is greater. I very seldom oil any more.

" i have had the counters for two years, and use walnut oil."

It's the oil, partially drying to a sticky mess and staying that way.

You need a non-drying oil, like mineral oil, not a vegetable-based semi-drying oil (almost any cooking oil will be semi-drying) Or a processed oil that will dry HARD and non-sticky, like boiled linseed or tung oil.

I can't imagine using something vegetable on my counters. Let alone the stickiness, now nut oils get rancid would be very weird. Doesn't take a lot..

Of course, I speak from my 3 weeks of soapstone ownership and I'm still just petting mine. Very silky and smooth. Cannot believe how beautiful!

Installers did a coat of mineral oil, but I can't decide if I want to keep doing it. It does bring out a tiny sparkle...