Should granite countertop feel smooth?

12 years ago

We got our Typhoon Bordeaux granite installed two weeks ago. While we LOVE the look, there are definitely a few areas that are not very smooth, to the touch. We can actually feel a little roughness (from the stone?).

I asked the retail store (not the fabricator, yet), and they said "yes, that was normal".

Then I remembered our installer mentioned that when his wife cleans their granite, the dust rag glides across it, like after a car is waxed. There is no way I can get a rag to glide on ours. ??

Mind you, our beautiful new kitchen is 5 hours away from me right now, but I'm going there this weekend and staying a couple of weeks, so I can call the fabricator back out, if you guys think a little roughness is not "normal".

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

azstoneconsulting
12 years ago
It's hard for me to say what it could be without actually "being there" to touch it and inspect the areas you are talking about...

What's causing your concern could just be a little caulk residue left on the surface of the stone, or other stuff like lacquer (sp?) overspray from your cabinets, etc.

It could ALSO be epoxy or polyester glue residue left on the surface of the stone from the fabrication, installation and/or seaming process.

The easiest and best way to tell what it could be is to take a straight razor (don't do this if you are not very good with sharp objects - LOL) and try to scrape off the residue (like you would when you're cleaning glass)... in most cases, the razor will take off the "mystery gunk" and life will be good. Dont worry - if you have Granite, you wont hurt the stone at all doing this - I PROMISE!!!

On the other hand - IF you try the "razor trick", and the roughness persists, you'll prolly want to call in the Fabricator to see what's up. Is the roughness at a seam line, or somewhere else on the countertop assembly?

can you post pics? that may help you get a more accurate idea of what your situation actually is..........

hth

kevin
remodelzombie
12 years ago
I bought an inexpensive Prefabricated 8' x 26" for our guest house. It was $285 and it was our Guest House, so I wasn't that picky about it...but it has quite a few rough areas and when I look back at a level view of it, I can SEE the rough areas where it isn't polished very well. My fabricator said it was a softer granite...it's Lapidus. I just will have to run over it with sealer pretty often. No big deal.

I have granite in my apartment in NYC that is smooth, smooth, smooth, and it FEELS harder. I'm not sure if it's the TYPE of granite or if it's just the polishing process....I was sort of thinking it was the price and I got what I paid for.

I'll be interested to see what others say on this.
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sandesurf
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for your responses. We paid top dollar for the granite. I'm not sure it will show up in a picture, but I'll try to get one when I'm there this week. Yes, probably glue around the seams (2). I'll try the razor blade thing first, then call the fabricator, if that doesn't work. IF the razor blade things works, does the granite need to be sealed again, in that area? 2nd thought, I'll just let the fabricator deal with it...
MCMesprit
12 years ago
I agree that the roughness might be epoxy, particularly if it's at the seam. If so, it is easy to remove. Another possibility: DH is a geologist (a petrologist -- rock guy -- in fact) and he told me that even very hard granites can be "pitted" in ways that can make it difficult to get them perfectly smooth all over. ((It has to do with the mineral content of the rock and how the minerals bind together in a particular stone.)

If the problem is pitting, re-polishing it may just open new "pits." Re-sealing these areas probably won't help because the stone will only absorb so much sealer; the excess will create a film on top (that won't be smooth either) unless it is wiped off. What might work is apply a VERY thin layer of clear epoxy that will fill in the pits. Once it harden, you can sand it smooth.

Hopefully your fabricator can tell you what you are dealing with. Best of luck!
sandesurf
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you, MC. I'll be calling the fabricator on Monday. I'll post the outcome, when I get one.
:)

Should granite countertop feel smooth?

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azstoneconsulting

remodelzombie

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Should granite countertop feel smooth?

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