There is only one function of an impregnating sealer for stone . “To temporarily inhibit the intrusion of staining agents into the surface of the stone” As far as stonetech bulletproof goes I think it is a water based sealer that uses a flouropolymer which provides oleophobic and hydrophobic resistance. Look at the MSDS sheet to see the contents. This sealer only contains from 1-5% resins. Pretty standard, not bad but will require multipl applications on a porous surface. Three apples-Do a water test by placing a palm sized puddle of water(or 2) on the surface of your stone. Let it sit there for 10-15 minutes. Then wipe away with a paper towel and see if a dark mark is there. If there is a dark mark observe how long it takes to evaporate. Just as a baseline to gauge how porous the stone is. Use the stonetech bulletproof to do another application. Do your top in sections one at a time,apply the sealer onto the surface and keep it wet for 10-15 minutes. Don't let it dry on the surface. AFTER THE PRESCRIBED TIME REMOVE ALL TRACES OF THE SEALER THAT IS ON THE SURFACE. This is very important as you want the sealer to penetrate the surface not stay on top. When you are sure you have properly applied and removed the sealer from the first section then repeat the process on entire surface. Wait 24 -36 hours and do the water test again. You should see better resistance now. If it is still absorbing do another application and test again. While I agree with old ryder that one should consider a sealer as a temporary protection from staining using quality sealers and proper applications will provide better results. I think even though this is a professional task a homeowner is more suited to do a better job. The fact is a contractor would have a tough time coming back multiple times to seal porous stones for many reasons. As far as that test that Natco did I wonder about the credibility. They never mentioned what stones they sealed and how porous they were. They never clarified which types such as granite marble, limestone etc. They state all natural stones should be sealed. Never heard of roofing quality slate being sealed. The average life of a slate roof is over 100 years with out any sealer. There are many stones that are quite dense and may not require sealers. Just like the many folks on this forum who have never had a true stain on their stone. They also never stated what their application process was. There is no cookie cutter application as each stone will have its own character. Natco suggests that a good sealer can delay the etching of an acid sensitive stone giving you enough time to wipe it up. That may be incorrect as sealers live below the surface and can etch themselves when they are left on the surface.The surface is exposed to acid attack and depending on the stone or acidic substance etching can happen quickly. Anyone who has marble or its cousins in their kitchen will agree. While I agree a quality brand name is probably better to use than a generic sealer. I always say it isn't so much about the sealer as it is about the application process.

Hope we didn’t make a mistake. Stone Source did not have any soaostone we liked. so we went with a honed black granite. I have seen somewhere that citrus might etch them which I was hoping to avoid with soapstone. They are honed on one side and leathered on the other. So, I might have to go with the leathered. I still chose Danby marble for my perimeter cabinets. I think I would like the honed granite better aesthetically to go with honed marble. Any thoughts while I have time?

Oh, that's pretty, and so is the faucet! myersamyl, you sound just as I did a few years ago. We bought a used, polished carrara mable-topped dining table, and my late husband modified the base to make an island/work table. I honed and hand polished the top to a silky, satiny sheen. It's never been sealed, and it has no stains. My grandson once spilled a tube of red drink powder on it, and even that didn't leave a stain. He's managed to get blue ink on it, which came off with a poultice, and IIRC, there was also an incident with a yellow marker. I took care of the stains right away, but there is a deep etch where he left his metal lunch box (vintage Ramones) setting on the counter overnight. Leaking fruit juice left a large etch, with a deep 'crease' where the rolled edge of the metal reacted with the acid in the juice. I polished out the etch, but the crease will be there forever--at a certain angle it just looks like a bad seam. I have a few star dings--one has my name on it, where I knocked a claw-hammer off a paint can on which I'd carelessly left it, and a few more where one of my DDs dropped a handful of hematite 'chatter stones' she was juggling, while she sat at the island. The first year or so, I polished out every little etch with a smooth sanding- sponge, but I've relaxed. I don't think I've done any maintenance since the fruit juice debacle. We've made a million pfefferneuse cookies on that slab, lots of arlettes, puff pastry, pie crust, bread, pizza dough, and noodles. Maybe some day I'll re-hone, but probably not. I still love the marble, and as you have heard, it has stories to tell of my loved ones--someday I hope I'll be able to show a great-grandchild where his dad left the leaky Ramones lunch box. :)

We have honed Danby like the beautiful photos above and LOVE it - I'm so glad that I went with my gut and bought what I knew I'd love looking at and working on for many years. Stains are really not an issue. We've had a little etching, but that happens . . . anything acidic will dull the surface a little. We try to be careful - but at the end of the day, it's a kitchen that is meant to be used and enjoyed. If you can find Danby, go for it!