Q. I have polished travertine tiles in my bathroom that have been etched. The majority of the etched areas are rough when a thumbnail is run over them. Other responses on this website lead me to believe we need a pro, but what does a pro need to do? I ask so that I can "reality test" the recommendations I get. We are talking about a relatively small area, less than 3 sq. feet. that are involved.

 

A. Yes you will need a pro. A pro is going to have to hone the surface with a diamond abrasive. This is similar to sanding a piece of wood but with stone a diamond abrasive is used. Once the surface is honed it will need to be repolished using a polishing compound or powder. This technique requres skill and not everyone can perform this without the proper training.
 
For a list of qualified contractors go to www.stoneandtilepros.com/findapro.php.

 

Dr. Fred

 

Fred M. Hueston, PhD