How to Polish Scratched Marble
Marble is a beautiful and smart choice for floors, countertops, tables, stairs and other architectural features. Although marble wears well, it can be damaged. Scratches are a common problem, but with the right tools and procedures, you can remove the majority of scratches yourself. You'll find most of the supplies you need in your home or local hardware store. You can purchase tin dioxide or other polishing powders from monument or building supply stores. With a little time and care, you'll remove the scratch and restore your marble to its original shining glory. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Nonabrasive sponge
- Water
- Mild liquid dishwashing detergent
- Clean, soft cloths
- Tin dioxide
- 120-, 320- and 1000-grade wet-or-dry sandpaper
Instructions
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Mix a few drops of dishwashing detergent in a bucket of clean water and wash the scratched area with a clean sponge.
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Rinse the marble thoroughly, then dry it with a dry, soft cloth.
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3
Pat a damp cloth in the tin dioxide so some of the powder adheres to the cloth. Rub the tin dioxide over the scratch, using small overlapping strokes and applying only a small amount of pressure.
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Wipe off the tin dioxide. If the scratch is gone, clean the area with water and a clean sponge. Dry with a soft cloth.
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Sand the scratch lightly with 120-grade sandpaper if the scratch remains. Sprinkle some water over the scratch as you sand to reduce the abrasion. Don't oversand.
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Sand the scratch with 320-grade sandpaper. You can continue to sprinkle with water. At this stage, the scratch should begin to disappear.
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Sand with 1000-grade sandpaper. Polish until the scratch completely disappears.
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Rinse the area with clean water and a clean sponge. Repeat as necessary to remove all grit and film.
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Dry thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth. Buff with a chamois or another dry, soft cloth for a final polish, using even circular motions.
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Tips & Warnings
Use furniture protectors on marble floors.
Always clean your marble with soft cloths or clean, nonabrasive sponges.
Do not use abrasive cleansers on marble.
Do not slide pots or dishes that may have grit on the bottom across marble counters or tables.
