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How to make marble countertops look worn???

11 years ago

I know I am kinda crazy, but how can I make my marble countertops more worn or broken-in? We got polished marble, which obviously looked gorgeous when they were new, but my intention was to really break them in, so my kitchen wasn't too stuffy/perfect.

Now I have had few different stains- but more water marks and etches from all sorts of different things, mostly milk or juice from my kids. Also olive oil spills, random splashes of grease stains by the range, etc.

What would happen if I rubbed olive oil on them?

I know everyone says not to put vinegar on marble, but what actually happens other than an etching?

I just want my counters to look like an old Italian or French pastry or chefs table! Perfectly aged!

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Comments (7)

breezygirl
11 years ago
Grab some lemons. Cut them in half. Rub em all over your marble or rub willy-nilly. Bob's your uncle! Instant patina.

And throw some keys around on it to for some chips and nicks.
nini804
11 years ago
Vinegar will hone them, too! Mine were polished when I picked them out at the granite yard, and I believe that is what they used to hone them as the just freshly honed sample had a vinegar smell. I would make sure you re-seal them afterward. I think you will be happier with the honed, the etching is much less noticeable.
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beekeeperswife
11 years ago
I've heard glass etching stuff is what some places use.

Now, take this with a grain of salt. This info is from a place that I would never want in my house. They have had terrible reviews (put the wrong edge on the counters for a customer and went to the house to correct it, in place--ruining the cabinets.) In fact they just installed cabinets in the house across the street. I didn't know it was possible to do such a bad job, even after everything I have seen on here. They had 2 different edge styles amongst other bizarre mistakes! Yes, it's being replaced.

But I digress. So, maybe try it on a sample piece?
User
11 years ago
Here's your weekend project.

Get a couple of bottles of cheap Italian dressing and pour it out on it and let it sit. The vinegar in it will etch it, the oil will stain it, and the bits of peppers will also stain it with some tiny flecks of color left behind. Then you can invite the neighborhood kids over to use the surface to roll around Hot Wheels on it for the weekend, using a bit of yard sand to make mini mountains for their pretend hill climbs. Come Monday, it will have the patina of years of use.
mtnrdredux_gw
11 years ago
I recall reading about some actress, i dont recall who, rubbing her white marble with tomatoes.

The questions gets asked often enough that you would think some contractor would figure out how to do it!
breezygirl
11 years ago
Mtnrdredux--the story around here goes...Meg Ryan in the kitchen with a bag of cut lemons. ;)
writersblock (9b/10a)
11 years ago
Hmm, I had heard Meg Ryan and tomatoes/tomato sauce, so maybe it's apocryphal. I kind of doubt she spends much time in the kitchen, anyway. :)

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