Q.Just redid entire bath. The doubl vanity is crema marfil, polished. Do we need to seal it. The floors and walls are ILVA polished porcelain "crema marfil" style. Tile people say dont seal it. Fact website says it was sealed at the fact. What do you suggest. We want this stuff to last. we spent ALOT $$$ Thank you!!!!!!

A.Here is the scoop-Sealers will only protect the stone from staining.Rule of thumb for stone,true stains will be darker than the stone.Etch marks will always be lighter than the stone.Crema marfil is an acid sensitive stone and will etch(some people call them water marks but that is incorrect) whenever something acidic comes in contact with the surface.Contact lens solution,facial cremes ,perfumes,cologne,etc will all etch the surface of your stone.That being said sealers are impregnating and

are designed to fill the pores below the surface to prevent the darker stains.Most polished crema marfil wont even take a sealer as the luster has made the surface less porous.

As far as sealing at the factory why not.A simple test would be to puddle up some water on the stone (palmsized puddle)leave it for five minutes then wipe it clean.If you see a darker area there you know the stone is absorbant.But I am quite sure you wont see that.To sum it up your stone will etch to some degree consistant with your lifestyle.

Please know it can always be refinished to almost new by a professional stone refinisher.

Stu Rosen