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Quartz Seam? Scratches? So tired as we finish the remodel!

9 years ago

Hello - You all have been so helpful with my questions. Here is yet another. What do you think of the seam on my Cambria quartz? It is a tiny bit higher on the far side making it even more visible to me. Is this a typical looking seam or can they do better?

Also, the backsplash was grouted yesterday. We love it. Today, however, I am noticing scratch type marking in the quartz. Is it possible to have the buffed out?

So tired as we cross the finish line of this remodel! Thanks for your help.

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Comments (16)

mays802
Original Author
9 years ago
another pic...
mays802
Original Author
9 years ago
and another...if there is a way to post more than one pic in a message, I can't figure it out! :)
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Comments (23)
Sailorman - I'll try to address some of the issues you brought up. Yes, we've definitely considered practically every scenario (as well as asked our contractor) as far as why the project started going downhill. That's not to say that it was perfect at first, just that we at least made significant progress over the first 3 months, compared to very little the past 3 1/2. As far as we can tell (we can only go with what info we are given), there is nothing going on with him personally that would affect the job this much. Other than the financial mess of course. As for that, we've offered to work with him in any way possible, short of simply coughing up more money than was even in the bid when he has no idea (or isn't saying) where it has gone. We've gone way over budget in many areas, but that's accounted for - we knew that would be the case when we started. As for the not showing up for the job, well, in my opinion, that's not acceptable for any reason. I sometimes have to work with people that I'd rather not and I can't just decide not to show up for my job several days a week and NOT EVEN CALL! And if I specifically say that I will be there the next day (such as on the weekend), I will either be there on time or at least call with a GOOD (meaning something more than I just didn't feel like it) excuse. I don't consider us to be difficult to work with as homeowners and if anything, we're probably more guilty of being too friendly and accommodating, so he's become accustomed to that. Lastly, as for project delays, we'll take blame for anything we cause such as deciding to make major changes or not being able to decide on something quickly enough, however so far that has not been the case. During the project, we've taken care of ordering every single thing in a timely manner including sinks, faucets, lighting, tile, appliances, etc and all have been sitting in our house for months. The cabinets are waiting to be intalled and granite has also been sitting at the fabricator's warehouse for months. So...not sure what else we could do to move this along. Sorry - I don't mean to sound defensive. It's just very frustrating to realize at this point that we might as well have served as our own GC and avoided any additional fees! I do appreciate the input and suggestions!
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you feel like you and your family should be the ones to make the first scratch, ding, gouge, or stain! Ain't that the truth! It still bugs me how cavalier my GC was when I pointed out all of the plaster splatters on the existing woodwork and doors just outside the kitchen (the plaster splatters left by the plasterers). I asked "what about cleaning that up?" GC: "Oh, that'll come right up." Well, it had been sitting on the stained wood door for two weeks by then, and the water in the plaster soaked into the wood and left a noticeable patch. Luckily the painter was able to fix it so it's not so noticeable. And the worst part is that I would have cleaned it up *myself* if DH hadn't kept saying "that's what we're paying the GC for--to take care of everything." HA! The blessing is that DH knows better now not to prevent me from taking care of things when I've got a mind to do it.
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I have a seam in my River White granite. My input was sought on seam placement and fabricator cut the slab so that the most "line-y" part of the slab would have a seam running through it, parallel. So that part went well. I was disappointed that the installer didn't take it to the next level though. I realize it's simplest to slap a single colour in. The installer gave me the choice of a lighter and darker epoxy. But he wouldn't apply the two epoxy colours in a dotted pattern so that the line of the seam didn't stand out as much. That would have made it much less visible. It's a visual principle that if you break up a line with a pattern it stands out a lot less. I will probably DIY some acrylic lighter colour at some point to improve this situation. I am positive that I can make the seam less visible this way. Some companies have actually made a specialty of improving seams: FWIW, elphaba, I don't think your seam is too bad.
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Pic of seam on white quartz countertop, please
Q
Comments (13)
$1000 is a lot of money (stating the obvious here). I don't have quartz--we got carrara. We have a few seams. They are noticeable. I don't mind because I kind of prefer the look of aged, messy, "patina-ed" stone. I don't think, however, that is the look you are going for with your quartz. I would ask lots of questions of the fabricator about how the seaam/epoxy color will fare over time. Epoxy is supposed to be stainproof but I do see some discoloration (graying) where whitish epoxy was used and our install is 1 month old. Of course, it scrubs up real well, but I am a slob in the kitchen. Also, when they instal...hover. The installer can do a messy, slight seam or a messy thick seam. They mix the epoxy color on site and they can match it really really well if you hover and insist. I had a chip on the edge of my counter and the first epoxy job they did to patch it was depressing. I asked them to dig out the epoxy and re-mix the color. The difference was night and day. Now the patch job is impossible to locate, where before it was painfully obvious. Tell your fabricator that you are persnickety about how the seam will look and see how they react. Good luck!
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
"What do you think of the seam on my Cambria quartz?"

mays802:

I think they didn't use the manufacturer's recommended seam adhesive color and they've tried to disguise their mismatch with black magic marker which appears kinda blue/purple.

"It is a tiny bit higher on the far side making it even more visible to me."

The state of the art tool for making seams is the latest incantation of the Gorilla Grips. I saw them at the tile show in Miami several weeks back, but I make so few seams these days I can't justify selling mine and buying the new ones. There should be zero lippage with the Gorilla Grips. They are so powerful, they will pull a bow out of 3cm estone or granite.

"Is this a typical looking seam or can they do better?"

It isn't typical, but since your splash is in, I'd start looking for cosmetic solutions.

"Also, the backsplash was grouted yesterday. We love it. Today, however, I am noticing scratch type marking in the quartz. Is it possible to have them buffed out?"

Yes, but it can be very tricky with quartz. Getting the scratches out is easy, matching the factory finish after the scratches are removed is not. I'd recommend they try Steve's Polishing Pro system from Braxton Bragg.
mays802
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you for the input. The kitchen company we are dealing with agrees the seam is not acceptable and is calling back the counter people to "work on" the seam.
coco4444
9 years ago
I'm not a professional like T., however as a consumer I totally agree. I have Cambria, albeit a lighter colour. Here is my seam (and I have no "scratches" like those you point out in photo #3):
a2gemini
9 years ago
I can barely feel mine so they are flush. I saw someone else's and it had l lippage which was frustrating to OB. She might chime in on her experience with lippage. Hope you get this fixed
ck_squared
9 years ago
Yes, as the rest have said, that is bad seam. I had Cambria in my previous kitchen and the seams were barely noticeable. It was a dark color (Welshpool Black) as well and the install was about as perfect as it could have been. Good luck with your resolution! It's so frustrating to see the finish line and not quite be there yet.
raenjapan
9 years ago
The seam is not good. The backsplash is amazing! Love.
Jillius
9 years ago
Trebruchet, what can be done about a bad seam after the fact? I assume the epoxy has already dried.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
Jillius:

I'd try some color matched dyes or even some better magic markers, then hit 'em with some cyanoacrylate and scrape 'em flush.
mays802
Original Author
9 years ago
They did say something about using a dye to match it better.
desertsteph
9 years ago
co-co - good seam. I can't even see it!
mays802
Original Author
9 years ago
Update:

The counter people came back and worked on the seam. I am so much happier with it now. The marks also came right off. I think they were some grout residue from the back splash. Thanks everyone!
mays802
Original Author
9 years ago
It's still there but they blended the color much better this time.
sjhockeyfan325
9 years ago
That's great - it does look much better!
annkh_nd
9 years ago
Beautiful - thanks for the update, and kudos to you for insisting that it be fixed to your satisfaction.

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