For those with granite countertops

[Patty3]

We treated our granite kitchen countertops with the products the installer left for us. Our countertops are cream, black and some gray, sounds ugly, but they were very nice. Now, after treating them they now have a yellowish film. I just got off the phone with the fabricator and he insists that I used something else on them and I did not. Did anyone else have this type of problem? He advised to use mineral spirits and I can tell you he had a real attitude.

 

[kpgclark]

I've never had a problem with our granite. You could try using Windex GREEN which is OK for granite. Another thing to try would be the absolute finest "grain" of steel wool. That's what fabricators use to really buff up the shine. It doesn't scratch. What is the exact name of your granite stone?

 

[kpgclark]

Also, what is the name of the product he told you to use?

 

[Patty3]

He just told me to use mineral spirits? I do not know the name of the granite. We had a kitchen designer redo our entire kitchen and our cabinets were custom. We liked the cabinets on the showroom floor and picked the granite they had it set up with.

 

[kpgclark]

Patty I did a search in the internet and I can't find mention of using mineral spirits. You could call any granite fabricator and ask if it is customary to use mineral spirits (I suspect not). You might also consider calling your designer to call your fabricator. Perhaps he/she will get further with them than you did as I suspect they give the fabricator lots of business. We also had our kitchen redone entirely two years ago and have never had a problem with the granite. However our granite is called Uba Tuba which is dark. It is less porous than lighter stone though. The lighter the stone generally the more succeptible to staining and discoloration.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

That would make me sick. I hope you get it figured out!

 

[Bmwdsny]

Hi, i also have granite countertop...Patty3, my granite is similiar color as your and i love it!! But, i myself never heard of Mineral spirits..But i do have a cleaner which i use once in a while called...Stone X Contertop Cleaner for Granite and Marble. (i believe my dh got it at Home depot) and every 6 months, i use Polish X Countertop Polish for shine. For everyday clean up i use Ivory Dish Soap..

kathy, you use Windex??? I was told never to use any of those cleaners except specialized ones and ivory....

I do get yellow film from time to time on my Shower Granite, (i have a Granite seat and shelf in my shower) which may be cause by excessive wetness so i simply use Countertop cleaner for it and comes right up...

Hope this helps..

Melinda

 

[kpgclark]

Melinda Windex GREEN has no ammonia and is safe. I did lots of research before using it. I also use the micro fabric cleaning cloths you can get at Linens and Things and BBB and lots of other places. You can use just water and they don't leave any streaks. My granite is quite reflective since it is dark and I hate to see streaks!

 

[Patty3]

I just called another fabricator and they did say they recommend mineral spirits as well. Instead of that, I am going to try the Stone countertop cleaner and polisher. Thanks you guys for the help. I will let you know how it works out.

 

[kpgclark]

Keep us posted. I'm really surprised because I have never heard of that.

 

[Bmwdsny]

kathy i will check out that windex...I hate steaks too!! While mine is probably not as dark as yours, but i still can see the streaks once in a while when the sun shines in a certain way...I also have those micro fiber cloths too...

Will try it....although i admit i am a lil afraid to...LOL!!

Thanks!!

mel

 

[Patty3]

We tried a little of the mineral spirits and it did not work, but it smelled really really bad and I have asthma. I did not know that mineral spirits were basically the same as turpentine. I did buy the stone cleaner and polisher and the yellow is still there. I guess my slab was just really porous. The next step is to call the fabricator back and have a rep come out. I will do that on Monday, wish me luck!

 

[kpgclark]

Keep us posted. There is a web site that I looked at when I was investigating Granite. I can't recall the name of it but if you do some searching I'm sure you'll come up with it. It was a GREAT place for information. I didn't have a problem with staining obviously but I remember that being discussed. You might want to do a search. Good luck. I'm really sorry to hear about the damage. Hopefully the fabricator will stand behind their work.

 

[aprilgail2]

We had granite put in last year and they told us to just use the clear windex with the vinegar in it. Same thing with the porcelain floor and porcelin backsplash. Never anything with the orange clean type stuff in it. They also recommended that we don't seal them because its not worth it.

 

[Spoisal]

Did you ever get this figured out? Did the rep come out....
we are putting in granite any day now & this thread has me nervous! I hope they stood behind their work - UGH!

 

[Patty3]

The issue still has not been resolved. The rep said that it was going to take him about a month or two to come out. I am patiently waiting and will let you know the outcome after his visit.

 

[Spoisal]

delete - oops

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

I have Uba Tuba as well. We polished 1/2 of our granite about 6 mos. after it was put in and it did get a bit of film over it which decreases over time. I think I remember having to be very very careful when polishing, cleaning the countertops hours earlier, not touching it for hours afterward, etc. With 2 small children, that's practically impossible, esp. when my kitchen is an open kitchen nestled betw. our dining area and mudroom. It's been over 3 yrs since I did it, and I honestly don't notice the difference betw. the polished granite and the unpolished now. I use 409 on mine to get the streaks out, and my granite is still gorgeous 5 yrs later. Granite is awesome and so worth every penny.

 

[damo]

I always use windex. We've had granite for about 5 years. I have never sealed it and I always use regular windex. The countertop looks great.

 

[Patty3]

I am still waiting for the tech to come out and look at the granite, talk about a runaround.