really helpful pix of marble etchings and stain

12 years ago

I came across this wonderful pictures of marble etching experiment.

Not that I was considering marble, but it was always wishful thinking.

I also thought I could handle the etchings, but after seeing these pictures, I'm not sure.

Pix of etchings

I hope these pictures help others decide.

I haven't been able to find many/good detailed pictures, so these were really helpful.

(no, I'm not connected w/ this company. I saw the pictures from beekeepers' post).

Amanda

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Comments (6)

breezygirl
12 years ago
I saw those experiments too when I was plunking around on the web trying to decide whether or not to go with the yummy Carrara I found.

My marble sample etches don't look quite that bad because of the angle from which they are viewed. Many of those pics he posted were shot from an angle to show them off, not how you would be seeing the counter everyday.

Seal your marble well to prevent stains and live with the etching. That's my plan!
sayde
12 years ago
I liked what Paul Anater said about the etching -- it is evidence of living. That having been said, I think that etched and heavily used surfaces look better in more rusticated surroundings -- heavily grained old wood for example -- than in pristine surroundings where everything else looks brand new. The other materials in the environment can make the etched marble look either comfortably worn by time, like old denim, patina on wood, and frayed rugs, or just damaged, like one or two dings in an otherwise new and shiny painted cabinet. Context is everything.
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Thank you so, so much Fishies, Fletcher and Mykitchensdone. I always appreciate the many kind people on the forum who take the time to offer advice. All these links are great. I don't have much to report yet, except that I tried a SoctchBrite pad, and it left an identical etch just in a larger area. No big deal, I was careful to scrub just one area of the original etch. I'm just confused as to why it seems to make some etches disappear but in my case it just basially scratches and area to make an identical-looking etch. Fletcher, I'm wondering if the polish trick--polishing very lightly, maybe--would work on my honed marble to even out the finish. I'm going to call a couple of polishing compound manufacturers on Monday. Mykitchensdone, how much would you say your monthly scrubbing blends the etches? I'm a little afraid to try it, but the island has tons of natural and other lights shining on it, so I think I'll be tempted to do something like what you do to minimize the etching. My parents are visiting us for a few weeks, and I really don't want them to see me stressing about the new counters (or feeling like they have to stress!) I kept the etch incident to myself last night and just slipped off to post on GW, lol. I think this was a blessing in disguise. I was sick when it first happened (because we hadn't even started using the island yet and it was the result of me using the wrong combination of products to try to clean off a faint, barely noticeable stain left by the fabricator), but it's like the first ding in a new car. Now I can stop worrying, and just drive! I was determined not to stress when someone innocently squirts lemon toward their fish and it makes a crazy etch on the counter, and now I really believe I won't. The last thing I want to do is make my parents feel uncomfortable in my kitchen. So, I'll just live with the etches as they accumulate, and work on a solution when I'm alone in the house or early in the morning so I don't stress anyone out. I'll post my progress and especially anything I learn that could be helpful, any ideas or input would be ao greatly appreciated.
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marcolo
12 years ago
Agree with sayde. Marble works well in warm modern, rustic, industrial, old-world, pseudo-Victorian, or pseudo-Craftsman interiors. It does not work at all in a lot of the inspiration pics I've seen here, where it stands as the sleek and shiny centerpiece of a clean-lined, utterly impeccable space. Because it is not going to stay impeccable.

If you want marble, you have to want the etches. Because you're going to get them. Maybe your lighting will somewhat obscure them, or maybe it will make them stand out like a pee stain on a wedding dress. You won't know until it happens, and you have to be comfortable either way.
clweed
12 years ago
Here is a little video for comparison from Dorado Soapstone

Here is a link that might be useful: Stain test
Peanutpumpkin
12 years ago
Here is a link to a previous discussion on removing etch marks from marble. Can it really be so easy?

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0110385030178.html

I looked up the product online and it stated that it was specifically for polished marble. Why would it not work on honed marble? After all the obsessing over whether or not to get marble, is it too good to be true? Just polish off etch marks and voila, they disappear?!? Marble, here I come!

Here is a link that might be useful: Removing etch marks
marcolo
12 years ago
stacyneil reported that the scotchbrite method didn't work on her marble, and LWO pointed out the stone polish should not be used to spot clean or you'll eventually get a depression in the stone.

Love the etches, or leave the marble.

really helpful pix of marble etchings and stain

Comments (6)

breezygirl

sayde

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