How to finish soapstone counter

11 years ago

I have read that SS (as in soapstone) needs to be oiled after installation and then from time to time. I think it is a small price to pay for such a versatile countertop and I am totally willing to do it.

However, I have read the following statement that sort of puzzled me:

"Be careful though, because it's one of the stones that if not finished correctly will give you horrendous water rings and spots. If it hadn't been for Florida Joshua I may have ripped my counters out but he refinished them and they are much more manageable now."

It is the very last post to the thread I am linking.

I did a search and it looks like the poster is no longer *around*.

Is there something else I need to know about finishing it?

TIA!

Here is a link that might be useful: Old SS thread

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Comments (9)

leela4
11 years ago
I can't really speak to that post about the water rings and spots but I do have a question for you. Do you WANT to oil it? If not, it isn't necessary, and there are many happy ss owners (like me) on here who don't. It seems to me that all the threads I've read about these issues were when folks oiled their counters; I could be wrong about that.

There are many people on here who are much more knowledgeable about this than I am (Angie_DIY; enduring spring to mind), so hopefully they (or Joshua) will chime in.
eleena
Original Author
11 years ago
Another post about water marks

Here is a link that might be useful: Another soapstone post
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Just wanted to thank you for updating some of the posts -- you have had quite the challenge with your build, and I know it helps those who have taken the time to post their thoughts and ideas for solutions to see how some of it worked out (AND that you stuck to your guns on some of getting some of the more major issues addressed!) The house is beautiful and in a few years (assuming none of the build issues rear their heads again), much of what seem major issues now will seem inconsequential. We had a lot of panic attacks during our major kitchen remodel but we had a skilled architect who concurred with us on issues he felt were critical that the contractor address properly, but who also calmed us on the things that he (correctly, as it turned out) felt would prove unimportant in the long run. My husband had a fit when the range hood was installed an inch and a half off the center point between two large beams after he had carefully measured it out and we had specified it be EXACTLY centered. He wanted the contractor to pull it off and redo it. The architect said "you know guys, you are the absolutely the ONLY ones who will ever notice that inch and a half!" and seven years later, I can say he was absolutely right. Even when we point it out to guests, they can't see it! So I hope you, too, will find that many of the issues that loomed so large during construction will fade in importance as you settle into your new home! As for the soapstone, frankly, I would leave it. If it's an even remotely soft variety, that square corner will end up nicked and "rounded" at some point anyway. I would personally prefer to have it rounded to begin with, but if it is going to bug you ever time you see it, then get it changed out. Just beware that as another poster said, that squared off corner will have some practical drawbacks that a rounded one won't. However, for all the reasons Chispa mentioned, I would hold firm on the floors if there is any measurable curvature to the boards. That will only be trouble down the road. It sounds as if they broke every rule in the book installing those floors, and that is on your builder's dime: it was his responsibility to schedule the floor installation for the appropriate stage of the project. Good luck and thanks again for updating some of your issues -- I know it is appreciated by all who have followed your build.
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Ours is much worse that the pictures and that's only 18 months into it. We've got chips all around the sink and scratches everywhere. Oiling it makes them fade out quite a bit. I was REALLY worried my DW was going to have a fit about it but she say's I'm more concerned about than she is. At first she was appalled (I talked her into SS) but I explained that it's soft and will age with us :) She seems to have taken it to heart as she doesn't even care anymore. I only cared because I thought she would, we're all good now. Our 1st X-mas celebration we had the wine bottles on the SS counter, when it was over there were scratches all over from people dragging the bottles across the counter. My sis put a giant plant in a ceramic planter on the counter and then drug it off making the 1st really BAD scratches. Actually after a while all the scratches sort of meld together and it looks fine. I still love it, nothing looks like it or behaves like it. One thing people will tell you is that you can put a hot pan directly on the counter, like oven to counter, and you can but......that spot on the counter is going to be HOT for a while so you have to pay attention. I started using trivets just to avoid the hot spots. SS is really something you have to want, it's far from just a nice looking slab of rock, it will change constantly over time and you have to be willing to except and even embrace it. It cost more than granite and even some marble (we have marble on one side of the kitchen and on the island) but it wears like a cheap sock depending on which variety you get. I would get it again, even after all the scratches people still marvel at it, we have really large and dramatic talc veins in ours. I also sand out anything that I don't like (200/400 grit wet, dry makes a huge mess). It's very easy to maintain.
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eleena
Original Author
11 years ago
Leela,

I posted before seeing your reply.

I guess I do. Oiling makes a grey soapstone greener and I want to see the green. Not oiled SS looks "dusty" to me on the pix. I saw only 3 SS slabs IRL and I was not impressed with the look till they put some water on it to imitate oiling.

But I'll think about it. Thank you!
leela4
11 years ago
eleena- I remember Francy's thread and just reread it (for some unknown reason) a month or so ago. I wonder if things ever resolved for her.

If I remember correctly it seems that both the finishing and what is used to oil the ss can both have an effect on the possibility of water rings or spots.

We don't oil because we actually like our counters light instead of dark. Have you chosen your slab/s yet?
gwlolo
11 years ago
I thought I would oil but now that our counters are installed, we really prefer the look unoiled. My belevedere is gray with dark veins and the veins dissapear when oiled. A big part of the water rings is how it is finished. I specifically asked for my stone to be finished to a lower grit based on feedback from this forum.

Your kitchen sounds interesting. It sounds like you are doing soapstone and stainless? Did you post your overall plan?
laurajane02
11 years ago
My SS fabricator has an "enhancer" that I'm going to use instead of mineral oil. Once my ss is installed, I could let you know what is in his product.
EATREALFOOD
11 years ago
I use the wax combo that was supplied by Green Mountain. I have had the counters since the Summer and have only used it once.
Avoid buying from a fabricator that has no experience with it, since the finishing(and hardness-talc content) is very important. The suppliers such as Vermont SS and Greenmountain SS either do their own installations or refer you to a dealer. My dealer for GMSS was a pleasure to work with. He arranged for delivery to a stone yard where I viewed the slab and the template/install. Most important, he was available to answer questions and really took the time to make sure I was satisfied. I just ordered 3 Original PA windowsills from him to match the counters.
eleena
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you, all!

laurajane,

When are you installing it? I can wait with oiling - I guess - but not sure.

I am going to have SS in my cooking area so I am afraid that oil spills and food grease would "oil" the counter anyway but not the way I want, kwim? :-)

GWlolo,

Thank you! No, no plans posted. The stainless counter was installed today in the clean-up area (located in the "butler's pantry") and we LOVE it. DH says he is now ready to commit to doing the dishes "forever", LOL.

I had a Kraus sink integrated. The only minor problem is the darker color where the sides were welded to the counter and the back-splash b/c the shop did not have the equipment to polish them. It is a local shop that makes mainly commercial countertops (for restaurants and such) which do not require a polished look. I saved $$$ by ordering it there and even $$$$ compared to online sources. The sink is not very visible from the kitchen, so I took my chances and do not regret it.

I have been in love with soapstone for a long time and couldn't find the right color b/c I wanted a green one but of harder variety. Most of those had been quarried out by the time I was ready to order. I'll report back when we finally order it b/c the fabricator has to place order. I don't want to temp my luck by bragging about right now, LOL.

(Edited for a silly typo)

This post was edited by eleena on Sat, Mar 16, 13 at 17:38
artemis78
11 years ago
I think Francy's stone was ultimately replaced for unrelated reasons and she changed to a different type, if I remember. Different soapstones show water marks and spots differently in my experience, so the best thing to do is to test samples. Ours, for instance (Barroca, which I don't recommend for a litany of other reasons!) is great on the water spot front. It rarely shows marks (usually only if something wet's been left there for a day or more) and they have all oiled out easily. I have friends who have other varieties where it is all but impossible to get the water marks out. The best thing to do is to try the specific soapstone you're considering and see. Good luck! Love the soapstone-stainless combo--so wish I'd been able to sell DH on that!

How to finish soapstone counter

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How to finish soapstone counter

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