Sealing granite countertops yourself will hold open you money and insure they stay beautiful and usable for eld to issue forth .
Brie Williams
Before Getting Started
It ’s potential that yourgranite countertopsare already sealed . For new countertops , this might have been completed by the stone supplier . For fresh - to - you countertops , it could have been done by the previous owners . If you ’re unsure , you’re able to test granite to see if it ’s seal .
You may think sealing an already - seal granite countertop is of no outcome , but doing so may result in a blurred appearance that compromises the smasher of the stone . Even if you lie with your granite was sealed upon installation , there ’s a good prospect it need to be resealed , especially if it has already been more than 1 - 2 year .
How to Know If Your Granite Needs to Be Sealed
If you ’re unsure if your granite needs to be sealed , you could execute a quick mental testing to find out . pullulate a small amount of water system on an inconspicuous area of your countertop and allow it sit on the surface for at least 15 minutes . A few inches from the water , apply a drop of cooking oil . pass over out any spare liquid after 15 minutes and inspect the areas . If the water and oil wipe up with no marks provide behind , the countertop likely does n’t ask to be sealed . However , if either liquid left a ring or dark-skinned spot , the granite needs to be sealed .
Clean Countertops 24 Hours Before Sealing
If you design to get up early on Saturday morning and seal your granite countertops , you must pick them thoroughly on Friday morning to guarantee they have enough time to to the full dry . If you examine to seal granite countertops that have been cleaned too recently , they will not take in the sealant .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Seal Granite Countertops
Clean the Granite
Toclean granite countertopsbefore applying sealer , first remove everything from the countertop , including all stinker and dust . Thoroughly scrub the countertop with a sponge and a miscellanea of strong water and dish soap .
If you notice stain or residue on the cloth , the countertop is still dirty . Clean the granite until no residual shew on the material .
Dry Granite Countertops
Dry the granite with a microfiber cloth . earmark the countertop to air dry for at least 24 hour . Refrain from using the countertop or lapse in the meanwhile .
Test the Sealant
Before you coat the totality of your countertops , line up an inconspicuous billet like a obscure corner to try out your sealant , following the manufacturer ’s teaching for program . If the sealer egest the test , continue with the steps below .
If using a solvent - based sealant rather than a pee - based variety , open some windowpane away from the countertop to boost air flow during the sealing cognitive operation . Solvent - base sealant off - gas more VOCs than weewee - base multifariousness , requiring more airing .
Apply the Sealant
Apply the sealer to the granite countertops evenly . To guarantee even coverage , use a circular wiping motion to work out the product into the porous grain of the countertop . Once the countertop is to the full get over , allow the sealant to sit down for the allotted prison term on the manufacturer ’s recording label , which allow the countertop to soak up the necessary amount of sealer .
Wipe Off Excess Sealant
After the allotted time has pass on and the sealer has fully penetrated the granite ’s surface , wipe the extra sealant from the countertop with a dry textile .
Failing to pass over away all of the excess sealant before allowing the countertops to record the cure period will result in a hazy appearing post - cure .
Apply Additional Coats (Optional)
If specified by the Cartesian product producer , apply additional coats before the curing stage .
Let the Sealant Cure
earmark the newly - sealed granite to fully cure before put anything on its surface . For ripe results , appropriate the countertops to cure for at least 48 hours , unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer .
How to Seal Other Stone Surfaces
Granite is n’t the only stone that must be seal . Natural stoneslike marble , limestone , travertine , soapstone , and more must also be seal regularly to asseverate their var. and purpose . The process of sealing these stones is essentially the same as sealing granite , but you may find some slight variations regarding the types of sealer to utilize , the amount of meter to let the sealant baby-sit on the control surface before wiping , and the cure time . pay up close attention to the product you ’re buy to ensure it ’s intend for your type of stone , then follow the manufacturer ’s program line tight .
How to Maintain a Sealed Granite Countertop
To defend your granite countertop after waterproofing , regularly scavenge it with dish soap and water supply . Avoid clean granite with harsh chemical dry cleaner like bleaching agent andacidic cleaners like vinegarand lemon succus . To aid preclude staining , wipe up spills immediately . Reseal your granite regularly , using the specified resealing times on your sealant of choice as a guide . Oftentimes , received dissolving agent - based sealants should be applied every 1 - 2 year , but high - quality product may last 3 - 5 year .
Credit:Brie Williams
