The kitchen is the heart of a house. It’s where the food is cooked, memories are baked, and gossip takes place. People pay special attention to the kitchen and its style. From the countertop to the types of lighting, everything is well-thought-out before investing.
If you talk about countertops, there are multiple options in the market, like granite, marble, concrete, and more. However, quartz stands out due to its liquid resistance and lower maintenance quality. This engineered and non-porous stone is an apt pick for those kitchens where spills are ubiquitous.
With time, the inevitable wear and tear, accidental spills, dull spots, and those minor chips steal that new shine from this waterproof material. Eventually, your countertop, which was once an eye-catching attraction of your kitchen, turns into an unappealing sight. The only solution you’re left with is partnering with stone cleaning services in Chicago.
Are you dealing with the same situation? Resurfacing and polishing is the solution you need to bring back that fresh and glossy look of your quartz countertop. Let’s see how to do it the right way.
Understanding Quartz Countertops
Before getting into the technicalities of resurfacing and polishing, let’s clarify a few basics. Quartz surfaces are engineered using a blend of ground quartz crystals, resin, and pigments.
Quartz surfaces are non-porous, making them different from their natural stone counterparts, like granite or marble. For granite or marble polishing in Chicago, partnering with an expert is always a great choice.
What’s unique about being non-porous?
This means that quartz doesn’t have those minute pores like granite, which let liquid seep in and erode the surface from inside. This liquid-resistant quality of quartz countertops safeguards them from bacteria and stains. Eventually, you get a low-maintenance countertop that doesn’t require sealing, making it the right pick for several kitchens and bathrooms.
But its spill-resistant nature doesn’t make it damage-resistant, either. Though it’s tough, scratches, dullness, and minor chips here and there on your quartz countertop can’t be suppressed. All you can do is be careful and don’t stress the engineered stone.
Hot pans, abrasive cleaning tools, and even daily wear and tear can still damage this rugged and waterproof stone.
It’s essential to know how quartz differs from natural stone countertops before attempting any kind of refinishing. It’s not like granite, which needs frequent sealing due to its porous nature.
When Do You Need to Resurface Your Quartz Countertop?
That tiny crack, that minor chip, or that almost invisible damage doesn’t need a resurfacing job. Sometimes, a simple cleaning or polish is enough to get that countertop back to its new form. But there are a few signs that indicate a cleaning won’t suffice. In these cases, resurfacing is the best resort.
- Deep scratches or gouges on the surface that regular cleaning can’t fix
- Minor scratches that create a cloudy, uneven look
- Dull spots where shine has worn away due to frequent use
- Chips along the edges that make the counter look old and worn
- Irreparable stains or discoloration from paint, chemicals, or food spills
- The overall dullness causes the surface to appear rusted and older than it truly is.
Have you ever stepped into your kitchen while cooking lunch and noticed any of these signs? Resurfacing and polishing is the best bet here to restore your quartz countertop to near-new condition.
Step-by-Step Guide to Resurfacing & Polishing
Restoring quartz countertops requires patience, the right tools, and attention to detail. Are you tackling minor scratches or deep, full spots? The process can be broken down into manageable steps.
Deep Clean the Surface
A perfect painting needs a spotless canvas. Likewise, ideal polishing or refinishing needs a spotless counter. No dust, grease, or food residue should be on the counter, as it can interfere with the repair process.
- Use a non-abrasive cleaner or a gentle soap with warm (not hot) water
- Scrub gently with a soft sponge, avoiding harsh pads or steel wool that can scratch the surface again
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a microfiber cloth
That does sound like a basic step everyone knows. But most people sleep on it and underestimate an in-depth cleaning, leading to shabby results.
Repair Minor Chips & Scratches
Even a rigid surface like quartz cannot avoid scratches and chips. If there are any minor imperfections, you can use a quartz repair kit or epoxy resin to fix them.
- Fill any chips with a color-matched resin, smoothing it with a putty knife
- Let it cure fully before sanding
- For minor scratches, use a resin filler or polishing compound designed for quartz.
What looks like a minor scratch can turn into a visible eyesore. Fixing them early can give you a buttery-smooth surface for polishing.
Wet Sanding / Honing
This step is where the real refinishing begins. Wet sanding, also called honing, helps remove deep scratches, dull spots, and surface imperfections. It requires precision and the correct tools.
- Use diamond polishing pads attached to a variable-speed grinder or polisher.
- Make sure the surface is constantly wet during sanding to avoid any heat damage.
- Start with a coarser grit to level out scratches, then gradually move to finer grits for a smooth finish.
Wet sanding is a time-taking process for sure, but that’s what truly restores the surface. If done right, there won’t be any scratches, dullness, or damage on the surface.
Polishing the Surface
After sanding, it’s time to restore that shine. Quartz countertops need a different approach for polishing. However, the basic principle remains the same.
- Use a quartz-specific polishing compound.
- Apply in small sections with a soft cloth or buffing pad
- Work the compound in circular motions till you start seeing the shine
- Wipe away any residue with a microfiber towel
Need a mirror-like finish? Repeat the polishing process using finer compounds till the surface starts looking glossy and vibrant again.
Sealing
Since it’s non-porous, quartz doesn’t require sealing, unlike granite, marble, or concrete surfaces. But that doesn’t mean you can sleep on it. Applying a protective sealer or topcoat made for quartz is always a good idea to add an extra layer of protection against those inevitable scratches and dullness.
- Choose a sealer that’s dedicatedly made for quartz surfaces
- Apply evenly with a soft applicator
- Let it cure before using the counter again
Protection isn’t the only benefit of sealing. It enhances that polished finish you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Resurfacing quartz countertops is a straightforward job. You watch a video on YouTube and think you can do it yourself. But that’s not the case. A DIY approach might lead to some of these mistakes you must avoid:
- Using the wrong tools: Stick to diamond pads or quartz-safe tools. Sandpaper or rough pads will cause more scratches.
- Skipping the cleaning step: Your polishing pads should be clean, too. Grease or dirt beneath them can also cause surface scratches.
- Applying paint or harsh chemicals: Never paint over dull spots or scratches.
- Overheating during sanding: Keep the surface wet because sanding can generate heat, which leads to cracks or discoloration.
Conclusion
A quartz countertop is an investment that keeps you stress-free. No headaches due to spills or liquid creeping into the surface, resulting in low maintenance. However, this does not imply that you can rely solely on it.
With time, scratches, discoloration, cracks, and chips will definitely appear. And when that happens, and it goes beyond repair, resurfacing is the right choice. Just ensure that you deep clean the surface, wet sand it, polish it, and apply a protective finish. If done right, you’ll revive that lost shine of your quartz countertop and keep it looking new.
If you’re not confident in your stone polishing skills, hiring experts for stone cleaning services in Chicago or countertop maintenance in Chicago is always a better choice.
