How to polish artificial stone at home?

One of the key advantages of artificial stone is the possibility of restoration: with the necessary skills and tools, you can eliminate even deep cracks and chips, and shallow scratches can be removed even easier by polishing.

Polishing stone at home

Natural stone has been one of the best building materials for many years.
Previously used as a main building material, it is currently used more as a finishing material. Countertops, window sills, fireplaces, floors are made from it, and interiors and exteriors are decorated with it. The influence of time leaves its traces even on such seemingly eternal material. What should you do if your natural stone countertops have lost their luster and have dull colors?

Peculiarities

Artificial stone is much cheaper than natural stone, but in some performance characteristics it is superior to the natural version.

There are two main types of materials used in furniture making: acrylic and agglomerate.

Acrylic stone is a composite material consisting mainly of acrylic resins with the addition of chips of natural stones and coloring colors.

Agglomerate is another composite, but in its structure 90% or more is made up of stone chips - marble, quartz or granite. Polyester resin is used as a binding ingredient; this combination gives the material special strength and strength. For maximum similarity with natural material, mirror particles and coloring pigments are introduced into the mixture.

The countertop in the kitchen is used intensively, so scuffs, cuts, gouges and other surface defects often appear on it. To restore the decorative appearance of the product, they resort to polishing. Of course, you can always turn to qualified specialists - but their services are expensive, so many people prefer to restore artificial stone surfaces with their own hands. Having minimal work skills and armed with a working tool, this is not difficult to do. It is only important to strictly adhere to the process technology and follow the advice of experienced craftsmen.

Advantages and disadvantages of artificial stone

Artificial stone is cheaper than natural stone and at the same time superior to it in some respects. There are two types of this material : acrylic and agglomerate.

Acrylic stone is a composite material consisting mainly of acrylic resins, chips of natural stone or minerals and dyes.

Agglomerate is also a composite material. But it consists of 90% or more natural chips (quartz, granite, marble). Polyester resin acts as a binding base. This combination of components gives the agglomerates special strength.

Pigments, mirror particles and other components are also added to the mixture to make agglomerates to make them resemble natural materials.

Pros and cons of acrylic

First, let's list the advantages of acrylic surface :

the material is plastic and suitable for making complex and unusual shapes;
solid appearance, imitating natural wood;
easy to clean;
large selection of colors and patterns;
forms a single canvas without joints;
pleasant to the touch, warm surface;
defects can be easily eliminated on site; there is no need to dismantle the tabletop.

Flaws:

acrylic is unstable to external influences and is easy to scratch (defects are especially noticeable on glossy, plain surfaces of dark colors);
instability to high temperatures - stains form under the influence of heat;
accidental contact with acids or dyes will cause stains (dangerous from vinegar, lemon juice, food coloring, etc.).

When choosing an acrylic countertop, give preference to light shades with the texture of natural stone. On such a surface, small scratches and chips are less noticeable.

After installing an acrylic countertop in the kitchen, carefully study the operating conditions of the material . Knowing about weak points will help maintain the beautiful appearance of the surface.

Interesting things on the site:
How to wash and clean the glossy surface of the headset
How to clean kitchen tiles from grease and dirt

Pros and cons of agglomerate

The agglomerate is closest to natural stone both in appearance and to the touch. Pros of this material :

low cost compared to natural granite and marble;
presentable appearance;
strength, durability, ease of maintenance;
resistance to mechanical damage, acids and dyes;
higher resistance to high temperatures compared to acrylic.

Minuses:

agglomerate is a dense and heavy material, labor-intensive to process and difficult to install;
presence of seams on the surface;
despite its strength, it is afraid of abrasive detergents;
over time, microscratches appear on the polished surface, depriving the surface of its beautiful shine;
restoration of such a countertop requires special equipment and preparation;
relatively small selection of colors and textures;
not suitable for making complex shapes;
the agglomerated composite feels cooler to the touch than acrylic-based stone.

Thus, agglomerated composite countertops are stronger and more durable, but are more expensive and are not suitable for surfaces with complex shapes.

Preparation for polishing

Before polishing, the slab is prepared; this stage consists of the following steps:

Fat removal. For this purpose, chemical compounds are used. You cannot skip this stage. If the surface is not cleaned, the abrasive disc will become clogged with dirt during the polishing process.
Grinding. Sandpaper is used to make abrasive wheels. When performing work, the master first uses wheels with large grains. Then their size is reduced, this allows you to create an even and smooth surface. During operation, the grain size changes from P120 to P1500.

To prevent the surface being treated from heating up, water is sprayed onto it, and only then it is passed through with a machine. Experts recommend using sprayers, so the moisture will be evenly applied to the stove.

Spraying not only prevents heating. It helps remove the smallest particles of dust that are formed when a sander is passed over the surface of the slab.

Once sanding is complete, the surface of the countertop will be smooth. But microscopic cracks will remain. They are removed at the next stage, which involves polishing.

Sanding artificial stone countertops

Repairing an artificial stone countertop begins with removing the fat layer and sanding . A layer of fat forms on the surface during the operation of the product; it is removed using special cleaning compounds.

Important! To clean countertops from grease, use special cleaners for artificial and natural stone.

If the grease deposit is not removed , the abrasive disc will become clogged during processing.

The next stage is grinding . This is a rough preliminary surface treatment for the purpose of removing deep scratches, sanding seams after gluing or repairing large chips.

For grinding, use a set of replaceable abrasive wheels made of sandpaper of different grain sizes. Grinding is carried out in several stages - from 8 to 16 - depending on the characteristics of the material and the degree of damage.

The grain size of the wheels is gradually changed in the direction of reducing the grains of the abrasive material. Start with abrasive material marked P120. Next - in increasing order: P150, P180, P240, P320, P500, P1000, P1500.

It is recommended to wet the surface during the grinding process by adding a small amount of water under the grinder . Water reduces the heating of the surface being treated and cleans the abrasive from dust. To moisturize, it is convenient to use a sprayer for watering flowers.

Step-by-step grinding prepares the surface for the next stage - polishing . At the end of the first stage, a smooth, matte-glossy surface is obtained with microscopic scratches, which are removed by polishing.

Polishing paste

Specialized stores offer a wide selection of compositions for both machine and manual polishing of artificial stone. A distinction is made between highly aggressive initial polishing agents and finishing pastes . There are also one-step polishing compounds available.

Advice. To avoid making a mistake when choosing a polishing paste, consult a specialist. It is best to contact the countertop manufacturer.

The polishing composition fills pores and microcracks, preventing dirt from accumulating in them , and gives the surface a mirror shine. The product has a gentle effect on the surface, does not scratch or damage it.

Types of artificial stones for countertops

To imitate natural rocks, different materials are used:

Acrylic stone. You can use it to make countertops with any colors and textures, to assemble a work surface without seams with any geometry. Disadvantage: instability to scratches and abrasion.
Quartz agglomerate (quartz and mineral chips, resin). The hardest and most durable artificial stone with minimal surface wear. The material is more similar to natural rocks than others.
Cast stone is a polymer applied to a wooden base (chipboard or MDF). It is characterized by a wide palette of colors, impact resistance, and chemical resistance. But the number of repairs to the countertop is limited by a thin layer of spraying on the base. Its thickness is only 3-4 mm.

Despite the different origins of the materials, the update method is the same for everyone.

Grinding steps

Assess the condition of the countertop surface:

If there are chips, then it is necessary to grind to the base of the largest one, usually 3-4 mm.
Large scratches are sanded down to 1-2 mm; if there are only small abrasions, the sanding steps can be shortened and the surface can simply be cleaned a little. The larger and deeper the scratches, the more sanding steps will need to be completed.

Important! When working with artificial stone, grind the entire surface as a whole, and not separately problem areas, otherwise you will not achieve the integrity of color and texture.

Grinding is carried out in several stages. Before starting the first stage, thoroughly rinse the surface from grease and dirt with a detergent, otherwise the grease will get into the pores of the stone and the polishing will turn out to be of poor quality.

Main grinding steps:

Start sanding with a coarser abrasive, as if rubbing out the largest scratches and chips.
When grinding, it is necessary to control the pressure on the stone so that notches do not form.
Do not forget to wet the surface with water to make the abrasive glide over the stone more easily.
Change the abrasive fraction to a finer one and sand the surface several times with decreasing fraction, usually from three to seven stages.

Upon completion of all stages of grinding, you should have a rough matte surface of the stone with small abrasions.

Polishing

Here you will need a grinding machine and a disk attachment made of foam rubber with a diameter of 125-250 mm and a thickness of 30-40 mm, as well as a special paste for artificial stone products. It is better to work with water, but without adding it while working, but after wetting the disk. Next, the paste is applied and, with the machine turned off, evenly distributed over the disk using a back-and-forth motion.

Next, at minimum speed, polishing begins. Here you no longer need to press with constant force, but, on the contrary, vary the degree of pressure. By gradually increasing the power, we get the desired effect: the paste and remaining water will be distributed over the countertop, filling in minor defects and making it uniform. After some time, the sliding will become less smooth and this moment cannot be missed: it means that it is time to re-wet the nozzle and apply the paste.

During the process, you can wipe the polishing area with a soft sponge and look at it at an angle: this way the untreated areas will be clearly visible.

If the sanding was done properly at the beginning, then polishing the coating will not be difficult. If you do not have a grinder and related accessories, you can always contact us. Our craftsmen will put the countertop in order in a few hours, saving your time.

Review of traditional methods for cleaning artificial stone

Many people associate sinks and sinks made of artificial stone with reliability and durability. It is worth noting that a variety of products made from it look visually attractive. However, it is worth noting that artificial stone, unlike materials such as stainless steel, does not tolerate sudden temperature changes and can easily be painted with a variety of dyes (tea, coffee, juices).

Artificial stone is a composite material that is made on a polymer basis and has its own specific functionality and features. It is susceptible to the formation of cracks and small chips that may appear on it due to strong impacts or excessive physical impact. If the faucet in the bathroom leaks and allows water to pass through, then rusty streaks may form on this composite material, which will be very difficult to eliminate later.

Important! In order to avoid problems and various inconveniences in the future, you must adhere to all rules, instructions and recommendations regarding the operation of products made from composite materials. To clean them, you can use a variety of household chemicals (only for their intended purpose, having first read the instructions) and folk, time-tested products.

To clean and remove dirt, you can purchase special cleaning compounds that are sold in stores or use improvised substances that are found in every home. To clean this material you can actively use:

Baking soda. It is a universal, best product that can remove even severe stains. Immediately before use, you need to add a small amount of water to the soda and wipe the contaminated area with it to wash it of accumulated dirt.
Mustard powder. Able to quickly remove grease stains and other contaminants. Used dry or mixed in equal proportions with soda. To prepare a paste that is used as a cleaning composition, you need to add a little warm water to the powder.
Citric acid. It is an organic, chemical compound that can be actively used during cleaning of even the most delicate materials. Thanks to the use of this acid, you can quickly remove dried stains left after drinking drinks such as coffee and tea. This acid is also capable of removing yellowness, salt deposits, various streaks, as well as stains that form on the countertop and sink as a result of long-term use.
Table vinegar (9%). An excellent product that can clean almost any surface from dark stains that have formed on them, as well as large deposits of lime. Before use, vinegar must be diluted with water, maintaining a ratio of 3 to 1. You need to moisten a sponge in the resulting solution and wipe the contaminated area with it. After cleaning, the vinegar solution must be washed off with warm, clean water.

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Turtle discs for polishing

Turtle diamond polishing discs are used to process straight or curved surfaces. They consist of a durable flexible base and a mixture of diamond powder and a durable heat-resistant polymer. Thanks to the neutral-colored binder, the discs do not leave streaks. The Velcro located on the reverse side facilitates their quick replacement.

The work is performed sequentially with discs with diamond grits of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000 and BUFF inclusive. The last type is intended for final polishing. Diamond blade No. 50 has the coarsest grain, and No. 3000 has the finest.