Having read your very interesting Q & A site I think I have found the answer to my Black Galaxy "stain" problem. I wish I had found your site almost four years ago when I first searched. We had our kitchen counters fitted four years ago, having picked the product ourselves at the warehouse but left our installer to pick up the slabs. We did not observe him use any sealer etc. at the time of installation. The granite which is at the sink area obviously gets wetted every day with no apparent harm. However, soon after we got the counters installed we left two supermarket style plastic bags on the center island overnight. They had in them some wet garbage such as lettuce leaves etc. but there were no holes in the bags. On lifting them off the counter in the morning we noted two faded spots where the bags had sat. I tried using a hair dryer to no effect. Although they can only be seen when viewed at the right angle, they appear to be etched into the surface. This is most disappointing and has caused us to cover the counter with oil cloth which defeats the purpose of the counters. Are you aware of any substance in plastic bags which can leach into Black Galaxy? I guess there is no solution to the problem.

 

Dear Geoffrey:

This is quite interesting.

For starter, no matter what the real problem is, there is a solution: a proficient stone restoration contractor should be able to refinish the damaged area without too much effort.

That said, I would have to exclude the possibility of malicious doctoring of the stone, because after four years you would be in a nightmarish situation by now. The way you describe it, it could be the impregnator they applied to that stone that, somehow, reacted with the chemistry of the plastic, which possibly accumulated, even if so slightly, some condensation.

Considering that I'm just guessing, I don't dare suggesting you any home-remedy to try out. Like I said before, get hold of a bona-fide stone restoration contractor and have him take care of the problem permanently.

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

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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