The best granite sealant options for countertop maintenance

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Granite is an investment. It is expensive, in fact, it may be the most expensive feature in the kitchen or bathroom. However, when considering the longevity of natural stone and the additional value it adds to the home, the cost may justify the purchase. A properly maintained granite surface can be used for up to 100 years.
In order to get the most value from such a large purchase, please take care of your granite. Sealing the porous surface regularly to prevent it from seeping into liquids, food, and stains will help keep the granite in its best condition throughout its life cycle. Read this guide to help you choose the best granite sealant for your stone surface.
Granite is a huge investment, so homeowners want to keep it in top condition. This means keeping it clean and maintaining it regularly with sealants. Granite must not only be sealed, but also must be cleaned. There are a variety of products that can be used to clean the surface of granite.
There are a large number of granite care products on the market today. Many of these products have the same purpose, but they use different methods. The three most popular sealants are permeability, reinforcement and topical sealants.
Penetrating or impregnating sealants protect the granite surface by plugging the porous surface with resin. Solvent-based and water-based penetrating sealants can be used, both of which help the resin penetrate into the pores. Once the water or solvent dries, it will leave behind the resin to protect the surface from stains.
Permeable sealants do most of the work under the surface, so they cannot provide much protection against scratches and acid corrosion. In addition, these sealants have antifouling properties, not antifouling properties.
Older granite surfaces may require enhanced sealants. They enrich the appearance of the countertop by immersing deeply into the surface to create a shiny and moist appearance. They can usually rejuvenate old, dim surfaces.
Although the process is complicated to explain, the idea is that the enhancer can help the stone reflect light better, creating a shiny but darker surface. Most reinforcing compounds also provide some sealant protection, much like dipping or penetrating sealants.
The local sealant forms a layer of protection on the outermost layer of the stone. They create a shiny finish and protect the surface from scratches, dark spots and other undesirable marks. They are suitable for floors, mantels and other rougher stone surfaces. The sturdy texture of these materials provides these types of sealants with a “teeth” that they can hold on to provide long-lasting protection.
Local sealants are not always ideal for countertops. Some are not suitable for smooth surfaces. They can also prevent moisture from escaping the stone, causing cracks when moisture tries to escape. Use products specifically designed for countertops.
In addition to different types of granite sealants, sealants have other characteristics and properties to look for. This section outlines the most important things to remember when buying the best granite sealant for your stone surface.
Granite sealants come in several different forms, including sprays, liquids, waxes and polishes. Consider the features of each product to determine which product best suits your needs.
All sealants help protect the granite surface, but some sealants leave a shiny finish that looks great.
A basic sealant helps create a shiny surface that reflects more light than an unsealed surface. Enhanced sealants can provide a wet appearance, but to truly create a bright reflective surface, granite polishing is the best.
Polishing the granite surface will produce a very shiny glossy surface that can have an impact. In addition, polished stones usually reduce the number of tiny scratches that deprive granite of its reflective properties.
Sealing the granite surface may require some effort. For example, to seal the granite floor, the countertops must be cleaned and all furniture must be moved out of the room.
Regarding the frequency of sealing granite, experts have different suggestions, but most people think that it should be sealed every 3 months to a year. In high-traffic areas, 3 months may be a good goal, while for other places, every 6 months may be sufficient. Many of the best sealants can last for years.
The chemicals in granite sealants are no more dangerous than the chemicals in the most popular household cleaners. The sealing machine needs to be cured to be effective. Some sealants may take a day or two, but once cured, they are completely safe to touch, prepare food, and any other operations you might perform on the granite surface.
If it is a solvent-based sealant, please pay attention to the instructions on the bottle. Many manufacturers recommend using these chemicals in well-ventilated rooms, which can present challenges in the colder months. However, once the solvent dissipates, it is quite fast and the surface is safe.
In addition, many manufacturers recommend that users wear gloves and safety glasses when sealing countertops. Wearing a mask to avoid steam or odor may also be a good idea.
Considering how to apply granite sealant is the main factor in choosing the best granite sealant. Although spray bottles may be suitable for countertops, aerosols may work better on large floors or showers. In addition, some sealants need to stay on the surface longer than others before they can be immersed in the stone.
Know what each sealer needs to provide adequate protection. Finding the stain because you missed a step is a costly mistake that can take a lot of money to remedy.
In families with a variety of granite or stone surfaces, choosing a sealant suitable for multiple surfaces may be the best choice. Stone sealant can handle a variety of materials.
However, the most important thing is to check whether the product is specifically used for granite. Granite has some different characteristics from stones such as sandstone and marble, but some products use a formula to seal them all.
With a background on the types of granite sealants and important factors to remember, it’s time to start buying the best granite sealants. Below is a list of some of the best granite sealants on the market today.
For one-stop sealants that can penetrate and form a protective surface layer, TriNova’s granite sealants and protectors are worth a try. This sealant comes in an 18-ounce spray bottle and can be easily applied to countertops and other granite surfaces. Because it is water-based and does not contain volatile chemicals, it is safe to use in enclosed spaces.
The TriNova formula is easy to apply. Just spray it on the surface, let it penetrate for a minute or two, and then wipe it off. It cured completely within an hour.
Those who need a food-safe countertop sealant that is easy to apply and suitable for a variety of surfaces may want to try Granite Gold Sealant Spray.
This spray is a water-based sealant that comes in a 24-ounce spray bottle and provides a protective surface layer to prevent stains and scratches. It is suitable for granite, marble, travertine and other natural stones.
Applying the granite gold sealant spray is a simple process. Just spray the surface of the countertop and wipe it immediately. The surface may require two or three further applications, so wait 20 minutes between each application. The sealer will fully cure within 24 hours.
For one of the most direct methods to clean and seal granite surfaces, check out Black Diamond Stoneworks GRANITE PLUS! Two-in-one cleaner and sealant. It is easy to use and leaves a protective gloss without streaks. Its environmentally friendly formula is suitable for stone surfaces, and each pack of 6 bottles is 1 quart.
To use this Black Diamond Stoneworks sealant, just spray it on the granite surface and wipe it until it is clean and dry. The built-in sealant leaves a top layer that seals the porous surface and protects it from stains. It also makes the stone surface easier to clean in the future.
Rock Doctor’s granite and quartz care kits may be just the choice of those who are looking for a kit that not only cleans and seals, but also polishes the stone surface to a bright and shiny surface.
The kit includes three aerosol cans: cleaner, sealant and polish. After cleaning the surface with a spray cleaner, the sealant is used to penetrate and bond with the stone to form a long-lasting stain seal.
After the surface is cleaned and sealed, the polish forms a waterproof protective coating to further prevent stains, spills and etching. The polish contains carnauba wax and special emollients to fill small cracks and scratches, leaving a shiny and smooth surface.
CLARK’S soapstone slate and concrete wax do not use chemicals to clean or seal the granite, but use all natural ingredients such as beeswax, carnauba wax, mineral oil, lemon oil and orange oil. Compared with most competitors, Clark uses a higher concentration of carnauba wax, so it can provide a strong waterproof and antifouling protection layer.
To apply wax, simply rub it on the countertop and allow it to absorb to the surface. Once it dries into a mist, wipe it off with a clean mat.
For a product that cleans and protects multiple surfaces, check out StoneTech’s RTU Revitalizer, Cleaner and Protector. This 1-gallon bottle is suitable for granite, marble, limestone, travertine, slate, sandstone, slate and quartzite. It cleans and protects countertops, dressing tables and tile surfaces. The water-based formula is safe to use at home and is biodegradable.
The simple spray and wipe formula makes it easy to apply on the surface. It has a built-in sealant that will stay behind after wiping to form a partial coating to prevent stains and scratches. The sealant also makes future spills and cleanup easier, and it has a pleasant citrus scent.
The following section collects the most frequently asked questions about granite sealants. If you still have questions about the use of sealants, please contact the manufacturer and talk to a customer service representative.
Experts disagree on how often granite should be sealed. A good rule of thumb is to test the surface every 3 to 6 months to determine if it needs to be sealed. To test it, just drop a little water on the granite and wait for half an hour. If a wet ring appears around the puddle, the granite should be sealed.
All granite experts agree that no granite surface is exactly the same. In fact, darker colors such as black, gray, and blue may not require much sealing at all.
Each product has its own curing time. Some products will cure within an hour, but most products require about 24 hours to fully cure.
The sealant that penetrates the surface can make the granite look darker, but this is only a sealant that enriches the color of the countertop. It doesn’t actually darken the color, and will brighten over time.
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