If you have a honed white marble surface that shows acid etching you can either call in a stone professional to treat the surface or you can try the following technique on your own.
Acid marble etching.
These stains can be difficult to remove but not impossible.
Sprinkle a scrubbing cleanser onto the surface with a few drops of water.
Lower than a 7 is on the acid side and higher than a 7 is on the basic side.
Acid sensitive stones like marble limestone travertine and onyx are prone to etching.
When acidic substances come in contact with these stone types the acid actually begins to eat away at the surface which creates dull spots known as etching.
For many years it was a standard method of concrete preparation used by nearly all industrial commercial and institutional floor coating installers depending on the floor size and system to be installed.
Here is a list of some surprising substances that can etch stone.
This is because the acid removes the surface material and exposes marble that was ordinary below the surface.
An etch is not a stain and cannot be prevented by using even the best penetrating stone sealer.
Etch marks on polished marble look much worse than on honed marble.
For more information see our 7 facts about etching on marble.
When my husband and i were researching our kitchen renovation a couple years ago marble countertops were the clear frontrunner but we were nervous about the inevitable etching.
Soda spill on limestone.
Marble s reagent aka marble s etch is a metallographic etchant for etching 300 series austenitic stainless steels nickel and cobalt based superalloys.
So we paid visits to every marble topped bar and marble furnished ice cream parlor we could find cocking our heads to the side peering down long polished surfaces to examine the damage left by countless drippy.
This product is made with reagent grade chemicals.
Thats why it looks so dull compared to its beautiful surroundings.
Think of it like a burn that removes the finished.
Substances that contain acid ammonia and alcohol can etch marble meaning that the finish or the shine is removed if you accidentally spill one of these three substances.
Etching is a corrosive chemical reaction that essentially eats at the marble.
This newly exposed marble is not polished and looks very dull compared to its polished surroundings.
The etchant will darken austenitic grains attack sigma phases and show grain flow.
Take a scouring pad and move in a circular motion to hone the material.
If needed a professional marble restorer can always be called to repair the damage.
Please note that scratch marks from sample preparation will also become apparent.
Acid stains such as by a toilet bowl cleaner or battery acid cause what is known as etching on marble.
