Dear Charmane Beverly:
“
What recourse do I have?
” Call you fabricator one more time and if they will keep ignoring them, have your attorney write them a “nice” letter. That should get their attention.
Now, what went on?
Let's start by saying that the only black mercantile granite that has the legal right to be called “Black Absolute” is the one coming from
There used to be three possibilities to explain the problems that you are experiencing, which are here listed in order of probability (the first being the most probable):
In the last couple of years there's been a change in the scenario above. Another possibility has entered the scene:
4.
Certain manufacturers apply some sort of protective wax to the slabs. It is not actual “doctoring,” since there's no alteration to the color of the stone, but
the result is the same as if the slab had been “doctored” with the “shoe-shine.”
Finally, case 3 above is not as rare as it used to be anymore. At least a couple of “Black Absolute Granites” allegedly from
Having said all that, the remedy to the points 1, 2 and 4 is to remove whatever it is that's sitting on the stone surface, by either stripping it chemically by soaking it with Methylene Chloride, or mechanically, by rubbing on the stone surface a polishing compound for marble (NOT for granite!) with a little bit of water.
Case 3 is terminal. Points 2 and 3 are full-fledged consumer fraud, a criminal activity that's been going one for years and counting and that's unopposed by the stone industry establishment. Going by your description I lean toward possibility 3. No matter what, the fabricator is fully responsible for what happened to your stone and the only remedy is a complete replacement with also the assumption of the risks attached to the removal of the current countertop, which could damage the top of the cabinets. Marblecleaning.org is available to help you at no charge should the matter reach the courtroom.
All things considered, black granite – which should be considered among the most enjoyable materials as a kitchen countertop (and a decent fabricator should be able to recogni
Until the industry will not clean its act up by becoming serious about the classification of all the different “granites” on the marketplace and dictate strict rules and guidelines about their characteristics and implied guarantees to the consumers, my position is going to be that from now on.
You can help! Actually, as a consumer of stone you're the best qualified to make things happen! Will you now please read and sign our Statement of Purpose by logging on at:
http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm? By spreading the word about this valuable site among your friend & family and the stone trades' people you've been dealing you will be rendering everybody a valuable service!
Thank you.
Ciao and good luck,
Mauri
Article ID: 523
Created On: Sun, Sep 23, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Last Updated On: Sun, Sep 23, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Authored by: Maurizio Bertoli [mail@mbstone.com]
Online URL: https://marblecleaning.org/knowledgebase/article.php?id=523