We just completed a rehab and had Lagos Lazul counter tops installed. They were honed and sealed. We were told that this stone was not for the perfectionist, as some marking could occur. We had no idea that one could not leave a lemon on the counter for even a minute without it leaving a stain that cannot be removed. It is full of water rings now. The stone has lots of natural imperfections which we actually like, but i would like to remove and protect against rings in the future. Some friends say we never should have used this type of porous stone for countertops. Any help? Many thanks!

 

Dear Carole:

 

“ Some friends say we never should have used this type of porous stone for countertops. ”

 

It has nothing to do with the porosity of the stone: rather its high calcite content, but it doesn't really matter.

Just too little too late, I reckon!... J

 

“ We had no idea that one could not leave a lemon on the counter for even a minute without it leaving a stain that cannot be removed. ”

 

Regardless of the fact that they are neither stains nor are they water rings, but marks of corrosion – hence actual surface damages – make it a couple of seconds instead of a minute.

 

“ but i would like to remove and protect against rings in the future ”

 

To remove them is easy: you'll have to do is hire a stone restoration professional that will have to lightly grind (hone) and then bring the damaged areas up to match with the rest of the factory finish. As for protecting it from future occurrences, you could try to dial 1-800-GO NASA and ask them if they found any special “sealer” on planet Mars over their latest mission, because as sure as death and taxes, there's nothing on our little blue planet that could do that for you. Sorry… L

Of course, since we're close to the holidays and everybody is sending out greetings and all that, you could always send a heartfelt thank-you note to the amazingly “knowledgeable” stone trade people you dealt with and that were not able to tell you what your friends did!

But hey, look at the bright side: it's only money!

 

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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