What Causes Marble Etching

Marble etching is very common and the marble cleaner s facts helps prevent and remove these annoying spots.

What causes marble etching.

Marble polishing and etching are commonly misunderstood those dull water spots and glass rings etch marks are baffling. A stain on the other hand occurs when a liquid penetrates the marble and causes discolouration within the stone. What specifically causes etching on marble countertops. The marble cleaner s 7 facts about etching on marble.

Acidic substances are one of marble s worst enemies. They will etch marble surfaces immediately whether they are impregnated sealed properly or not. This mark is not a stain but rather an actual change in the stone s composition as the surface is eaten away by the acid. Thanks countertop specialty comment.

After the marble etch mark has been removed spray a marble cleaner over the surface. Many household cleaners contain acids to increase there cleaning power. Then wipe and clean the surface with a clean towel. Typical household cleaners can cause etch marks.

When acid touches your marble surface and reacts with the calcium carbonate a tiny bit of the surface is eaten away and dull spots known as etches are created. As a result the exposed area is lighter and duller than it previously was. First you d have to diagnose by testing that the glass ring etch mark is indeed from water. The good news is that there are many ways to reduce the likelihood of your.

These acids will etch the marble without fail. Can etching be prevented. Lastly paint stains are another hazard that marble surfaces face. Etch marks are the result of the top layer of the marble wearing away due to the stain.

Once clean and free of any extra polishing powder dry the surface completely. Marble consists of calcium carbonate which interacts with the acid and leaves a dull mark on the surface of the smooth stone. Acidic spills orange juice lemon juice grapefruit juice wine vinegar margarita mix certain cosmetics tile cleaners bathroom cleaners tub toilet cleaners etc are the single largest cause of etching. And often people hold false assumptions and have incorrect ideas about how to polish marble or how marble polishing is actually performed to create a shiny surface finish.

A ring mark left by a water glass does not mean that water caused the etching. Since etching can remove the polish or sealant from marble the stone can become more vulnerable to scratching as well. When my husband and i were researching our kitchen renovation a couple years ago marble countertops were the clear frontrunner but we were nervous about the inevitable etching. So we paid visits to every marble topped bar and marble furnished ice cream parlor we could find cocking our heads to the side peering down long polished surfaces to examine the damage left by countless drippy.

Substances such as lemon juice orange juice and wine can cause your marble to etch. Think of it as burning the top layer of the marble.