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I bought a cabinet sink with a black marble top that wasn't sealed and now it is extremely cloudy and the water spots are so bad that it never looks clean. Is there anything I can do to correct this or should I replace it all together.I have attached a picture hoping you can see what I am talking about. Thanks

Don't know about forever but I'd suggest cleaning it asap.

You probably need to apply a poultice. You should verify the exact recipe on the package or online but you probably need an ingredient called powdered whiting (available at h/w stores, paint stores and possibly in the cleaning section of your local grocery store). If it's water stains, you probably also need hydrogen peroxide and distilled water. BTW, the ingredients vary, depending on the type of stain(s).

It's important to cover the poultice with plastic wrap and allow it to dry completely. Drying time may be as much as 48 hours. I'm sure you'll then follow up by sealing the marble.

Good Luck! (JMHO, as usual.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: blueday,

Before trying anything, I might go to a local store, not a big box store, but one that sells and installs stone and get their advice. It may require an onsite visit which costs money but they will know what can or cannot be done.

Seems to me if you do a Google search, you'd come up with several hits...how about emailing or calling the manufacturer of this product...or the folks at the store you got it from?

Hope it turns out well for you...be a shame to have to replce it, but I think there's a fix for just about everything these days...
keep us posted & good luck.

blueday, blueday, blueday....

We haven't met. Hello.

There is no cleaner nor poultice in the world that will make a bit of difference here. The marble is etched, and needs professional refinishing.

Worse yet, there's also no sealer in the world that can prevent this from happening again. The only way, is to use a topical coating, which will only peel off in time, and look horrible in the meantime.

Black marble is the softest, most chemically sensitive of all. Best to simply replace it.

Regards.

Based on the information provided by the OP, we'll agree to disagree, CS, CS, CS.

Thanks for the lecture - wasn't aware this was a class thread.

I'll continue attempting to help OP's, if I have anything relevant to add to discussions.

Good luck, alittleblonde. Let us know how everything works out. BTW, sometimes interim steps don't help various situations. Then we move on to drastic measures, e.g. replacing items.

I don't see how all the home remedies are going to help the situation. CS is a professional and knows his stuff. If you need an onsite professional opinion, then get one. Your picture is good enough to take to a local shop and get their professional advice and probably a quote on a new countertop. You can't remove etching no matter what you use. I learned the hard way about stone being improperly sealed--got oil on light colored granite which sank into the granite and I applied all kinds of poultices none worked--the granite was replaced with a darker one. Don't mess around with amateur fixes, take your picture to a pro.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 16paws,

That was an opinion from a pro. I certainly never said that the OP shouldn't consult either an expert at her retailer or another local consultant, if necessary.

We can respect the opinions of others on these message boards.

And that's JMHO.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: blueday,

The first stone top I refinished onsite was a black marble vanity. The company sent me in with sandpaper, a can of oxalic acid, and some burlap. I was brand new to the stone business.

The company that sent me in to do this was insane.

They were trying to help out a general contractor, to get his future business, thinking they could do it on the cheap by sending in an underpaid, inexperienced guy - me - because they figured the stone was so soft and easy to polish.

Also, there was a cracked vein that needed to be fixed, and actually, I was already pretty good at re-creating stone with resin. I guess that was part of the decision.

I ended up going to powertools, and even so, our COSTS were about three times the value of the original top. The top looked great, but the refinishing changed nothing regarding the material's reality.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HGTVAdmin,

I have seen counter tops worse than this and it seems the pro's can handle most things these days with stone .I guess with all the new stuff to clean and buff stone with these days it has become easier .I have even seen breaks in stone repaired that you can hardly tell they were ever there .I guess it just takes a pro . I love marble but not the work in maintaining it .