2523 Fairway Park Drive
Suite 510 ~ Houston, TX 77092
sales@intlstoneworks.com
(713) 956-8291 ~ 1-800-775-TILE
Fax (713) 956-8293

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Q. We are a large general contracting company. One of our customers is installing these marble tiles in their office. As you can see in the attached samples we have stained and etched these pieces.
The customer has two questions:

A. From what we can determine, these sample tiles have been stained and etched with:

1. STAINS: as defined by the Marble Institute of America, stains are "organic materials leaving an objectionable appearance. Stains do not harm the marble."

The stains in these samples appear to be from:

1. wine
   
2. oil
   
3. coffee

2. ETCH (chemical burns) MARKS: marks (removal of the surface polish) caused by the chemical reaction between a corrosive chemical (such as acid) and the calcite in the marble.

The etches in these samples appear to be from:

1. wine
   
2. picante sauce (vinegar)
   
3. acid (phosphoric acid in Coca-Cola)
   
4. ketchup (vinegar)
   
5. water (slightly acidic)

3. FINE SCRATCHES

CHEMICAL CONTENT
Both Thasos and Calacatta are categorized as marble and therefore contain calcite, also know as calcium carbonate (CaCO3). One of the characteristics of this chemical is that it reacts to acids (low pH chemicals) and ammonia (high pH substances). This is the reason for the etch marks caused by all of the substances in paragraph 2 above.

POROSITY

Thasos has a coefficient of absorption of .68% (by weight)
Calacatta white has a coefficient of absorption of about .16% (by weight)
Note: the higher the coefficient percentage, the higher the porosity.
This porosity causes stains to appear on marble.

SEALING & PROTECTION OF NEW MARBLE

1. ADVANTAGES

Sealing of new marble (and grout) is essential for the following reasons:

1. protection against grease, oil and other organic substances
   
2. protection against water marks (due to the mineral content in the water)
   
3. protection against coffee, tea and other non-acid tinted liquids
   
4. sealing prevents dirt and dust from deep penetration of the stone and makes daily cleaning easier

2. LIMITATIONS
As clearly shown in your samples and for reasons expressed in paragraph 2 of page 1, penetrating sealers (impregnators) will not protect marble against acids such as citric juices (wine, vinegar, lemon, orange, etc.) phosphoric acid (Coke contains this acid) and any other acidic substances (low pH).

RESTORATION

1. REMOVAL OF FINE SCRATCHES AND ETCH MARKS
There are various techniques to hone (sand/grind) marble to remove etch marks and fine scratches. However, there is only one technique to restore, as much as possible, the factory finish: diamond grinding. In order to remove the etch marks caused by wine, picante sauce (vinegar), ketchup (vinegar), water (water in Houston has a pH of 5 to 6 making it slightly acidic) and Coca Cola, we used our diamond grinding system. This system also re-polished the marble.

2. REMOVAL OF STAINS

1. Non organic stains (other than oil, butter, grease, etc.) The most common technique to remove stains such as coffee, tea, etc., is called the "poulticing" technique. The poultice mixture includes an absorbing compound (such as the Stain Absorbing Compound) and hydrogen peroxide, bleach or a solvent as required by the specific stain.
   In order to remove coffee and wine stains, we used a poultice composed of our Stain Absorbing Compound and bleach.

2. Organic stains (oil, butter, grease, etc.)
   Again, the recommended technique is the poulticing technique, this time using the Akemi Oil & Grease Remover paste.
   In order to remove the oil stain, we used the Akemi Oil & Grease Remover paste.

DAILY MAINTENANCE

We recommend that the marble floor be dust mopped daily and damp mopped daily with a solution of the MULTINETconcentrated pH-balanced stone cleaner.

We recommend that NON-FLOOR marble and granite surfaces, such as bathroom vanities, reception desks, credenzas, tables, etc., be maintained with the STONE POLISH spray by Bellinzoni. This product contains some liquid wax and silicone which will not only maintain the shine, but will also protect these stones.

This daily maintenance routine can be easily handled by the contract maintenance company.

In addition, we have developed a new product called FIVEXTRA D CREAM. This is a polishing cream which can be used to remove etch marks as they occur. This product is easily applied with white pads and a hand polisher (see our web site at www.intlstoneworks.com under "New Products."

PRICES LISTED BELOW MAY NOT REFLECT UP TO DATE PRICES.
CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR UPDATED PRICES

Q: I recently had black marble counter tops installed in my kitchen, and asked if the stone would be sealed before installation. I was told I would be given a bottle of sealer to appply after installation. I applied Aqua Mix Stone Enhancer sealant. However, I am already having problems with citrus juice spills "etching" into the stone as well as water marks. I was told by the installer that, because the stone is porous, these stains would eventually evaporate out. This does not appear to be happening and I am just sick about it. I was in Bering's Hardware last week and a salesperson was telling me about your products. I would appreciate any advice you could offer short of ripping out these counters and replacing them with something more durable. I realize now that marble was not the best choice for a kitchen. I cook a lot and do not want to be constantly worrying about the stains. How can I really "seal" the marble from future stains and etching and remove the problems which already exist? Thank you SO MUCH for your help.
A: I am afraid I do not have very good news for you. Marble contains calcium carbonate, a chemical substance which reacts to acids. It is true therefore that marble is not usually recommended as a material for kitchen tops. Sealers such as the Aqua Mix or our Seal & Go ® S are meant to protect marble against grease, coffee, tea, milk, etc. BUT NOT acids such as lemon juice, orange juice, vinegar, etc., I suggest the following procedure to make your life a little bit less stressful regarding your counter top:

1) Clean the top every day with a solution of LAVENET
2) Maintain the polish and protection with the STONE POLISH spray: this spray contains a liquid wax, a cleaner and silicone. Use this spray lightly once a week
3) Once a month, maintain the polish and protection with the TOP wax kit: this is a paste wax which will further protect the marble.
4) Once a year, call us to hone (sand to remove scratches and etch marks), polish and seal the marble.

Remember, nothing will protect the marble against acids, so I recommend you do the best you can to maintain it while using it until it is time to restore it. These products are available around town.

Q: We recently had a granite top installed on a patio brick wall that houses a barbecue grill. The granite is the ordinary New England type -- what is used for highway curbing or cobblestones. Rain darkens the granite considerably, and the darker color is much more compatible with the brick. I am thinking of using a color enhancer to get this color regardless of the weather. However, I would not want to end up with a shiny, polished look to the granite as that would be too formal for the outdoors. Is there a color enhancer that would give me the look I am seeking -- a darker color but without a wet, shiny surface look? Thank you any help or advice you can provide.
A: Yes, we do have penetrating sealers that darken granite without adding shine. I recommend you review the information on:
1) Bellinzoni Super Seal CE (Color Enhancer) and
2) Akemi Color Intensifier

The first product does not darken as much as the second product but may last longer. In addition, I recommend that the following procedure be used to maintain the granite following the sealing:
a) Clean the top as needed with a solution of LAVENET
b) maintain the polish and protection with the STONE POLISH spray: this spray contains a liquid wax, a cleaner and silicone. Use this spray lightly once a week.
c) Once a year, re-seal the granite

Q: We have a new home with french limestone kitchen countertops. They have been sealed 2x's and will be sealed a third. However, there are water rings and some other spots that I would like to remove or clean. What product do you recommend? The countertops are a honed finish, but are smooth and not very shiny. Thanks!
A: I am afraid I do not have very good news for you. Limestone contains calcium carbonate, a chemical substance which reacts to acids. It is true therefore that limestone is not usually recommended as a material for kitchen tops. Sealers such as our Seal & Go ® S are meant to protect marble against grease, coffee, tea, milk, etc. BUT NOT acids such as lemon juice, orange juice, vinegar, etc. I suggest the following procedure to make your life a little bit less stressful regarding your counter top:

1) Seal the limestone once a year with Seal & Go ® S
2) Clean the top every day with a solution of LAVENET
3) Maintain the polish and protection with the STONE POLISH spray: this spray contains a liquid wax, a cleaner and silicone. Use this spray lightly once a week. Since this spray contains some wax, it will give a little shine to your honed limestone
4) Once a year, you might have to call on a restoration company to hone (sand to remove scratches and etch marks) and seal the limestone.
Remember, nothing will protect the limestone against acids (water is typically slightly acidic), so I recommend you do the best you can to maintain it while using it until it is time to restore it.

Q: We have just installed a granite counter top in our kitchen and island. Do we need to seal it and how can we maintain it?
A: Most granites are resistant to heat and etching (from acids such as lemon juice, orange juice, etc.) However, most granite are somewhat porous and need to be protected against oils, butter and other greasy ingredients:

1. Clean thoroughly with a solution of LAVENET
2. Seal the granite with SEAL & GO ® "S". this is a water/stain repellent penetrating sealer which will not change the appearance of the granite
3. Maintain once a week with the STONE POLISH spray: this spray contains a cleaner, some liquid wax and some silicone sealer We accept payments with MC, V and AMEX. Please call or e-mail us for quote on products and freight.

Q: I have an old brick paved floor with many years of wax. I would like to refinish it while keeping it dark and shiny. What should I do?
A: First thoroughly strip the floor with ZOOM. This is a powerful stripper. Use gloves. Partially seal the tile and grout with the AKEMI COLOR INTENSIFIER then seal the surface with SEAL OUT. The COLOR INTENSIFIER will darken the floor while still allowing the SEAL OUT topical sealer to hold and give the floor the shine you require. Clean the floor weekly with a solution of LAVENET We accept payments with MC, V and AMEX. Please call or e-mail us for quote on products and freight.

Q: For our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband and I installed a beautiful honed cross-cut travertine floor in our living room. Problem is, the sample tiles we chose look much better than the floor did after installation. Should I ask the installer to replace the floor? My husband and I are quite disappointed as we were really looking forward to having a nice floor. It looks like the floor is always dirty no matter how much cleaning we do.
A:Honed cross-cut travertine usually has cement (grout) type fills in the voids (holes). Sometimes, following installation, the cement grout leaves a residue on the stone or even slightly "etches" the travertine. First try a grout release type cleaner. Never use an acidic cleaner such as muriatic acid (even very diluted).

If this grout release is not enough, the travertine can be re-honed on site with VER GLOW #1. This is a NON-ACID honing compound which should give the floor a more uniform patina. Seal the travertine and grout with SEAL & GO ® "S". This is a water/stain repellent penetrating sealer that will not change the appearance of the floor. Clean the floor weekly or as needed with a solution of LAVENET We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express credit cards for payment. Please call or e-mail us for quote on products and freight.

Q: I have a one year old marble vanity and shower in my house. I have some water marks which I cannot clean and some of the shine is gone. How can I bring back the shine and maintain this marble?
A:To remove the light etch marks that water and other ingredients leave (such as perfume, after shave, hair spray etc.), try the ETCH REMOVING KIT. This kit includes a honing and polishing compound which might re-polish the marble therefore removing the "etch" mark. Polish the marble with the TOP marble wax kit. Maintain the vanity and shower wall weekly. WARNING: both the TOP kit wax and the STONE POLISH spray should never be used on floors as they can make the floor slippery.

Q: I have a new slate floor. I would like to have a medium gloss on the slate, but I would also like to darken the stone a bit. Should I use one of the color enhancing sealers I saw on your website?
A: You can certainly use a color-enhancing penetrating sealer to darken the slate. However, this type of sealer will not give you shine or allow you to add a coat of topical sealer which is the only way you can get shine on the slate. We recommend the following procedure:

1. Thoroughly clean the floor with a 10 to 20 % solution of MDR (Mineral Deposit Remover).
2. Rinse very well and allow the floor to dry at least 2 hours.
3. Intensify (darken) the slate with our AKEMI COLOR INTENSIFIER (See appropriate directions.) Allow 8 hours to dry.
4. Seal the floor with SEAL OUT topical sealer. This sealer will give you a light shine (one application) or medium shine ( 2-3 applications.)
   For further information on these products, their applications, and their price, please call us or email us.

Q: I think I have made a mistake by choosing a pink grout in all of my bathrooms. We have beautiful Spanish porcelain tiles. The grout is getting dirty and has white residue, which I assume is due to the hard water, we have in our area. I don't want to change the color of my grout and every product we have tried (including bleach) to make our grout lighter or whiter. Do you have a magic solution?
A: No magic I'm afraid. However, our TGR (TILE & GROUT RESTORER) will not change the color of your grout while thoroughly cleaning it. By the way, make sure you seal the grout with SEAL & GO® S (water/stain repellent penetrating sealer) after the grout is dry.

For further information on these products, their applications, and their price, please call us or email us.

Q: I am the property manager of a medium sized downtown building. Last year, the owners of the building decided to upgrade it and replace our brick paver lobby with shiny black granite. The floor looked great at first, but now on the traffic lanes, the shine is gone and the floor looks gray instead of black. Any suggestions?
A: Granite is a hard stone. Should you want to restore the traffic areas to their original “new” look, you have no choice but to find a stone restoration company, which will grind and polish the granite with a diamond grinding system. Note that this typically is expensive.
However, there is another system which will allow you to bring back some of the shine and the black color to the granite, and serve as a maintenance program:

1. Hone (sand) the traffic areas of the granite floor with our GRANITE GLOW® powder.
2. Polish with GRANITE GLOW® and BUFF & GO® PLUS.
3. Clean daily with a solution of LAVENET.

Please see the information, MSDS, and instructions for use for all these products in our website. Feel free to call us for prices and delivery information.

Q: I hear a lot about Soapstone. Do you recommend it for kitchen tops? How would you maintain it?
A: I am not an expert on Soapstone, but I understand that it is a non-porous material, which means that it should not stain. It is probably a good choice for kitchen tops if you like the color. Unfortunately, I have only seen a light gray or green colored Soapstone. You can darken these colors with mineral oil, but the choice of colors is still very limited.

Q: My mother-in-law is a perfectionist! She has a brand new granite top in her kitchen. My wife says it would not hurt if I came up with a solution to keep that top shiny since I pride myself in being quite a home improvement expert. Any tips?
A: Yes! Order some STONE POLISH SPRAY and she will thank you forever (maybe).

For further information on these products, their applications, and their price, please call us or email us.

Q: How do you clean watermarks for marble shower walls?
A: Please note that “watermarks” are actually light etch marks in the marble. Typically you cannot “clean” them. If the marble shower is a few years old, the marble will probably have to be sanded, polished, and resealed by a professional restoration company. In the meantime, try our STONE POLISH SPRAY first to see if it cosmetically hides the watermarks. STONE POLISH contains a cleaner, a liquid wax, and some silicone for water-repellency.

For further information on these products, their applications, and their price, please call us or email us.

Q: I own a small janitorial company. The biggest complaint I get from the property managers of the buildings I clean is that the ceramic tile bathroom floors are dirty. I know it's not true because we clean them nightly and seal them monthly. Any suggestions?
A: Yes! Please find below the procedure I suggest.

1. Strip the floor with ZOOM to remove the sealer/wax. Waxing a ceramic bath floor is not a solution. Wax attracts dirt and soon the tile and grout look yellow and dirty.
2. Clean the floor with MDR (MINERAL DEPOSIT REMOVER.)
3. Polish the tile with TILE GLOW® #2. TILE GLOW® #2 is a non-wax polishing compound which will give the tile a natural, long-lasting shine. This shine should last at least one year. Note that for most property managers shine equals clean and shine without wax equals no scuff marks.

Please see the information, MSDS, and instructions for use for all these products in our website. Feel free to call us for prices and delivery information.

Q: How can I restore and maintain an old ceramic tile floor?
A: For your ceramic tile floor, I recommend the following:

• First strip the tile and grout with a solution of the ZOOM stripper. This stripping will remove topical dirt and acrylic wax from the floor.
• Second scrub the tile and grout with TILE & GROUT RESTORER (TGR). This scrubbing will thoroughly clean the tile and grout.
• None of the above will add shine to the floor. If the tile was glazed initially, it probably will be shiny. If you need to add shine, we recommend an application of SealOut topical sealer/finish. Do not add too much NOMAR because the build up will require more maintenance.
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.
  

Q: How do I protect and maintain my granite counter top in the kitchen? I also have water marks on a marble top. How can I removed them?
A: For the protection and maintenance of granite countertops we recommend:

• Clean daily with a solution of LAVENET
• Protect the granite with Seal & Go™ "S" water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer
• Try to remove water rings and maintain the shine and protection of the marble countertop with
• TOP marble wax kit
• TOP marble polish kit
  
• Prices do not include shipping
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.
  

Q: How do I polish and maintain my granite floor?
A: As you saw on our website, we offer a maintenance system for polished granite:

1. First polish the worn areas of the granite with a slurry of Granite Glow®and a natural hair pad (wet or dry buffing)
2. Second protect and add color to the granite using a paste of Granite Glow®and
   BUFF & GO ™ Plus buffed dry with a steel wool pad grade 0.
   
   NOTE: THIS IS A MAINTENANCE SYSTEM; IT DOES NOT REPLACE THE GRINDING SYSTEM REQUIRED TO RESTORE VERY WORN GRANITE FLOORS.
   
   We do not have any distributors in Malaysia. We will be faxing you our export price list in a few days. Please feel free to visit our website for information on our products. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
   

Q: How do I maintain my black granite floor?
A: For the weekly cleaning of black granite, we recommend LAVENET ready to use stone cleaner. Spray LAVENET lightly on the floor, and mop it with a damp cotton mop. You may have to dry the floor with a towel.

• For the protection of granite floors, we recommend sealing once a year with Seal & Go™ "S" water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer.
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: I have grease stains on my slate backsplash in the kitchen. I also have rings on my marble counter tops. How can I remove the rings, and then maintain these stones?
A: We recommend the following:

• First, remove the stains from the slate backsplash
  • For this use our STAIN REMOVING KIT
• Second, remove (as much as possible) the rings from the marble. Rings are usually "etch" marks
  caused by acidic liquids. In our ETCH REMOVING KIT there is a polishing compound that should help.
• If these stains and etch marks are too deep you may need to call on a professional stone restorer
• Once you have removed these stains and etch marks, we recommend that you protect all stones (and grout) with Seal & Go™ "S" water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer
• Maintain the shine and protection of the marble and granite tops and shower (not floors) with TOP stone wax kit
• For the regular cleaning of all stones use a solution of Lavenet.
• Please review the information on all these products on our web site.
• Prices do not include shipping
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.

Q:How do I maintain granite counter tops?
A: Please refer the "Residential Products" link to find more information on products for sealing and maintaining granite tops.

• For the daily cleaning of granite, we recommend a solution of LAVENET
• We recommend that the granite be sealed (2 applications) with Seal & Go "S" water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer
• Maintain the shine and protection of the marble countertop with TOP marble wax kit
• For grease stains on granite, use our Stain Removing Kit
• Clean at least once a week with a solution of Lavenet
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I have burn marks on my marble after my dog had an accident on the marble. The spots are all over the floor. Do you have a product to clean these spots?
A: Unfortunately, I recommend that you call a marble restoration company to sand (or grind) and repolish the marble. As you discovered, acids etch (burn) marble and remove the shine. Following the restoration we recommend the following for the maintenance of the marble:
please refer to the "Residential Products" link to find moore information on products for sealing and maintaining your marble.

• For daily cleaning of marble, we recommend a solution of LAVENET
• We recommend that the marble be sealed (2 applications) with Seal & Go "S" water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer
• Maintain the shine and protection of the marble walls (NOT FLOOR) with TOP marble polish kit
• Clean at least once a week with a solution of Lavenet.
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I saw your stone maintenance products on your website. How do I purchase them?
A: Please give us a call at 713-956-8291 (Brian Marshall) to place your order. We will take your order, give you freight charges, and charge your credit card. You can also complete the order form.

Q: My cat vomited on my marble floor. I tried to clean it right away, but the shine is gone. Help! I thought my marble was sealed!
A: Please note that none of the penetrating sealers in the market (the ones you used or mine) will protect limestone or marble from acid damage. These sealers are meant to protect the stones against non-acid liquids and grease.

• Urine or gastric acids will etch these stones. The only way to remove the etch marks is to "hone" (sand) and repolish the marble.
• You can contact a stone restoration company in your area or try the following:
• Ver Glow # 1 white: non-acid honing compound, Followed by
• Ver Glow # 2 white: non-acid polishing compound
• Browse the Products link for further information on these products.
• Prices do not include shipping
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I have flamed granite in front of my house. I would like to protect it but it looks faded. What do you suggest?
A: Seal & Go "Enhancer-W" is a water-based penetrating sealer which will slightly darken the granite.

• Order products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I have a ten year old marble floor that has lost its shine. I thought stones would last forever.
A: Stone actually does last for a very long time. However, the shine on the surface of the stone does not. A 10 year old marble floor may have to be professionally restored. If this service is not available in your area, you can try:

• Ver Glow # 1 white non-acid honing (sanding) compound
  followed by
• Ver Glow # 2 white non-acid polishing compound
  
• Browse the Products link for further information on these products.
• Prices do not include shipping
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I am attaching a picture of the discolored stone installed around my house. Can you tell me how to solve this problem?
A: Thank you for your pictures, however, It is impossible for me to determine the origin of the orange/red color. A stone company in your area may be able to help. I can suggest an excellent product for the heavy duty cleaning of your stone:

• Klean & Go: (browse the Klean & Go page for more details)
• Price does not include shipping
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I have Mexican tiles in my home, and want to know how to restore them. Do I strip them first?
A: The most efficient wax stripper we offer is a product called ZOOM. If you want to do the work yourself, you will need a stripping brush (we offer two types - for machine or with a handle).
Note: if the sealer on your tile is a solvent sealer, such as polyurethane, Zoom is not sufficient. You will need to use a solvent based stripper. BE VERY CAREFUL -- solvent strippers are best handled by professionals.

To seal the saltillo you can use:

• Seal & Go "Enhancer": water-stain repellent sealer that will darken the tile, but not add shine
• Seal Out: topical sealer that will add a medium shine to the floor
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: We used a regular tile and grout cleaner in our marble shower. Why is the shine completely gone, and how can I get it back?
A: Unfortunately, you have used an acid cleaner that etched, or burned, the marble. The only way to restore the shine and color is to call on a professional marble restoration company in your area.

For the proper maintenance of your marble (following the restoration), please browse the "Residential Products" link for more information on products for sealing and maintaining your stone.

• For the daily or weekly cleaning of marble, we recommend a solution of LAVENET
• We recommend these stones be sealed (2 applications) with Seal & Go™ "S" water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer:
  • Seal & Go™ "S":
• Maintain the shine and protection of the NON-FLOOR marble or granite with TOP marble wax kit
  • TOP marble polish kit
• For grease stains in granite, use our Stain Removing Kit
• Clean the stone as needed with a solution of Lavenet
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I would like to clean my family's marble tombstones, but there is no electrical outlet in the cemetery. How can I clean and polish these tombstones?
A: As you indicated, it will be difficult to maintain the shine on the marble tombstones. Not just because you don't have electricity, but also because of the elements. My recommendations are as follows:

• Thoroughly clean the marble with a heavy duty alkaline marble cleaner such as Klean & Go
• Seal the marble with Seal & Go™ "S" penetrating sealer
• Polish the marble with the Bellinzoni paste wax
• Repeat once every three months with all these products
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I have a slate floor that scratches easily. How can I remove the scratches and prevent them from coming back?
A: Unfortunately, not all slate has the same resistance to scratches. Some slate is much softer that others. You can coat your slate, but you may have scuff marks on the coat, and it will require constant buffing and care. Additionally, the wax and/or seal coat will not prevent the slate from being scratched by heavy objects such as chairs. If the slate is honed and not textured, it can be re-honed (sanded) and re-sealed. However, scratches will come back. This is a service we offer, and this refinishing can be done on a yearly basis if needed.

In the Houston area, please feel free to call 713-956-8291, and ask for Ruben Oblitas, Operations Manager for a quote.

Q: I have a limestone floor and granite counter. How can I protect and maintain both?
A: Browse the "Residential Products" link for more information on products for sealing and maintaining your stone. For the proper maintenance of your limestone floor and granite counter we recommend:

• For the daily or weekly cleaning of marble, we recommend a solution of LAVENET
• We recommend these stones be sealed (2 applications) with Seal & Go™ "S" water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer:
  • Seal & Go™ "S"
• Maintain the shine and protection of the NON-FLOOR marble or granite with TOP marble wax kit
  • TOP marble polish kit
• For grease stains in granite, use our Stain Removing Kit
• Clean the granite daily, and the limestone at least once a week with a solution of Lavenet.
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I have a marble floor and grout that is very dirty. Also, there is a white deposit around the faucets of my red granite kitchen top. Can you advise me on how to resolve these problems?
A: For more information, please browse our products.

• For heavy duty cleaning of natural stones, we recommend KLEAN & GO
• For cleaning of calcium deposit on granite surfaces (BE CAREFUL, THIS WILL ETCH MARBLE & LIMESTONE), we recommend TILE & GROUT RESTORER (TGR)
• To seal all these natural stones, we recommend SEAL & GO "S" water/stain repellent penetrating sealer. NOTE: THE SEALER WILL NOT PROTECT THE MARBLE AGAINST ACIDS
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: How do I polish a marble floor? Also, how can I remove ring stains from a marble table?
A: To polish the marble floor, you need to find a stone restoration company in your area. In the meantime, you can clean the marble on a regular basis with a solution of Lavenet:

• Lavenet 1 pint ready to use
• Lavenet 1 pint concentrate
• To remove the "ring" (which is actually an etch mark), try our "Etch Removing Kit"
• Prices do not include shipping
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: There are dark marks on my kitchen's slate floor. This floor stains very easily, and I have difficulty keeping it clean. What do you recommend?
A: Browse the "Residential Products" link for more information on products for sealing and maintaining your slate floor

• We recommend that you first try to clean the floor and stains with a solution of LAVENET
• Should the stain remain, we suggest that you try the Stain Removing Kit then seal the floor with Seal & Go "S". Please note that whatever penetrating sealer you use, you need at least two heavy applications.:
  • Seal & Go™ "S": 1 pint
• Please call us for details at 713-956-8291
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I live in England. Can you tell me how to polish my granite floor? I saw Granite Glow®on your website. Is Granite Glow®the right product to use?
A: To maintain polished granite floors, we suggest, as you indicated, Granite Glow®. Granite Glow®is a NO-WAX, Non-ACID polishing compound for granite.

• Using Granite Glow®is the first part of the process for granite floors
• The second part involves using Granite Glow®mixed with the crystallizer Buff & Go Plus
• We do ship to the UK. Please give us your address and fax and we will send you our export price list and a proposal for samples

Q: I have a new marble floor, vanities, and shower in my master bathroom. Do I need to seal them? I saw a product called Marbrosol on your website. Can I use this to polish my marble?
A: We recommend the following:

• Protect your marble and grout with 2 applications of Seal & Go™ "S" water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer:

  • Seal & Go™ "S"
• Maintain the shine and protection of the NON-FLOOR marble surfaces with TOP marble wax kit
  • TOP marble polish kit
• Clean the stone as needed with a solution of Lavenet.
  • Lavenet 1 pint ready to use
  • Lavenet 1 pint concentrate
• Prices do not include shipping
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express

Q:The white grout in my kitchen has become very dirty. The tile is an old ceramic tile. Is MDR (Mineral Deposit Remover) the right product to clean my tile and grout? I also have tile around the pool that needs attention. Can I use MDR there as well?
A: MDR is an excellent product to clean the tile and grout in your kitchen. It also is a good product to clean calcium deposits from ceramic tile around the pool. It may require some scrubbing. Also note that MDR contains phosphoric acid: it some of the MDR gets into the pool, you might have to adjust the pH of the water

• Prices do not include shipping
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: My bathroom has a granite shower with a glass door. Can I use MDR to clean the calcium deposit from both?
A: To remove the calcium deposit from the granite and the glass, try a solution of MDR (Mineral Deposit Remover). Test a 50/50 solution in an unobtrusive area.

• We recommend that you protect your granite shower with 2 applications of Seal & Go™ "S" water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer:
• Maintain the shine and protection of the granite with TOP stone wax kit
• For the regular cleaning of the granite use a solution of Lavenet.
• Prices do not include shipping
• Order these products from the website. We accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.