For my bathroom countertop, I selected a polished travertine listelle and therefore a polished travertine slab (light beige color) for the countertop. I was just told I should choose a honed travertine slab instead and acid wash the listelle so the finish matches. Would a honed or polished slab withstand makeup & lotion spills? If I do honed, do you think acid washing the listelles is OK?

 

Dear Raina:

A hone-finished slab would be definitely better. Lots of acidic stuff can be spilled on a vanity top and if you have a polished calcareous rock (like travertine is), it will etch like crazy. If the stone is hone-finished it will etch like crazy, too, but the etch-marks are not as visible and will be much easier to repair even by a mediocre DIY.

The only downside is that hone-finished travertine is not as tight (surface tension wise) as its polished counterpart, and therefore it could be slightly absorbent. Nothing major, however: the application of a good-quality stone impregnating sealer like MB-4 will take care o that. ( http://www.mbstonecare.com)

Finally, about acid washing your listelle… Well, I've never been a big fan about using acids to treat stone. For one application it will be probably fine, but personally, if at all possible, I would do the honing mechanically with some good- ol' metal-grade sandpaper, starting at 80 grit and then finishing at either 120 or 240 grit. The acid could make the surface of your travertine rougher than the hone-finished slab, and it could ever remove some of the filler that was applied by the factory.

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm? J

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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