Yes, you can certainly seal it yourself (if your granite warrants sealing--some don't according to our experts here). Use a good penetrating sealer and follow the instructions. Some are more user-friendly than others.

We used an Italian sealer supplied by our fabricators. Stunk to high heaven, but easy to use. Don't know if they can even get it anymore.

For our bathrooms I used STT's SB sealer, which was recommended by some of the guys over on the John Bridge Tile Forum. Very easy to use and very minimal odor. Time will tell how well it works, but I used it in our windowless bathroom a week or so ago, and wasn't choking on fumes (ran the vent though to be safe!).

My granite guy said seal it again every year or so with "Impregnator Pro".

It's not a difficult job. Just follow the directions on the bottle. I can't believe they wanted 1500 for that?! Do you have sucker written on your forehead? ;)

Don't even use that bathroom without sealing the marble. It can soak up water like a sponge.

Yes, you can!

Have you had a chance to read the "Read Me" thread? It gives directions on how to best seal counters that need it (from one of the stone pros that visits this site occasionally).

But, before you seal it, find out if it needs to be sealed. In technical terms, any stone with an absorption rate of not need to be sealed (e.g., most Uba Tubas and most Absolute Blacks are too dense to seal). In fact, if you seal a stone that doesn't need it, you're asking for trouble later. If a stone does not need to be sealed, it means things are not absorbed...including sealer. The sealer will sit on top of the stone and eventually cause hazing and other issues. The sealer will need to be removed to "fix" the problem.

Less technically, get a sample of your slab (not some sample they have just lying (laying?) around the shop). Pour some water on your stone sample and leave it for a few minutes. Then, wipe it up. Does it leave a dark spot? (It will eventually go away as the absorbed water evaporates.) If so, you probably do need to seal it. Also, when water splashes onto the stone, does it bead up? If so, it probably does not need to be sealed.

Other tests to perform on your stone sample...the vinegar, red wine, etc. tests.

If the stone is already installed, you don't want to stain it, so only do the water tests!

The "Read Me" thread also has a link to a "Stone Advice" thread that has more information on what tests to perform on your stone sample.

I wonder, though, if the $1,500 is for a "lifetime sealer"... The jury is out on whether these are truly "lifetime" and whether they're worth the extra $$. (Using Google or other search engine outside of GW, do a search for "granite" "lifetime" "sealer" and add "site:ths.gardenweb.com" to the criteria. It will find any current and older threads that discuss this topic.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!

Here's a few questions

1) Do you have $45 (for 511 Impregnating Sealer at HD)?
2) Can you read simple instructions?
3) Do you own a clean white rag?
4) Can you wipe down your counters yourself?

If you answered yes to all of those then you can seal your counters yourself. Oh and report your sub to the local law enforcement for grand larceny.

BTW...you probably are not getting responses to your thread emailed to you even though you checked the box that says "Check here if you would like copies of follow-ups to your message emailed to you." This is b/c you do not have the email option turned on in your profile.

See the "Read Me" thread for more information (linked in my previous post). Scroll down to the post w/the subject "Getting Emails Sent To You...3-step Process"

A big "thank you" to everyone who responded to my post! I will see if I can get a sample of my granite and test it.

I have another question - I was hoping to enhance (i.e., darken the Virginia Mist from a gray-charcoal color to a black color). I've read on this forum that you can do so, but that you should enhance it before sealing it. Does anyone know what product is best for this enhancement?

I thought my sub was BS-ing me. When I questioned him, he acted like I was a dummy who doesn't understand how things work!

P.S. Thanks for the tip on the email notification. I was wondering why nothing came through. Glad I checked.

Yes, it's very easy. When we moved in, the PO's had installed granite tiles on the counter tops and floor. Beautiful. But they didn't seal it.

Like a previous poster said, the easiest and most effective way to know if you need to seal is if you put some water down on the granite and it soaks in and leaves a dark spot, it needs sealed.

Also make sure you do that "test" once a year or so. Then yo uwill know you need to do it.

It's simple, and easy, but let me tell you, it is backbreaking when you have to do the entire floor of a 18x13 kitchen and all the counters!

And make sure you don't get the high gloss stuff...it's garbage, or that's what I've found, anyway. Just the good old regular sealer.

As far as I know Virginia Mist doesn't need to be sealed.