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I am just wondering if anyone has opinions, experiences, or a good website with some actual "real-world" data on how to seal/care for granite countertops.
I have done a few Google searches, and most of what I'm seeing is either arguments about whether or not granite needs to sealed, and lots and LOTS of cheap, spray-on sealers out there. Of course, the websites that are encouraging homeowners to seal their Granite are the same websites selling the sealers or sealing services.
We are building a house this spring, and had planned on using Quartz countertops, but our contractor has quoted considerably less for using Granite instead (I had always assumed that Granite was more expensive, but apparently I was wrong), so we are opting for the Granite in order to stay on budget.
Of course, now I'm reading all the horror stories about granite being easy to stain, and the To-Seal-Or-Not-To-Seal battle, and am totally overwhelmed.
Location: Finally the house is done and we are in Port St. Lucie!
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Most all granite is already sealed. If it is shiny, it is sealed.
I have granite that is sealed. I can't speak on staining because I have a dark granite. The things you have to careful of are acidic things. If left on it can harm the surface.
Spray that on the granite, wipe with a clean paper towel then buff with a clean micro fiber cloth. My granite was a year old December 30th 2017. It still looks like new.
I dont know if my granite was ever sealed but it's shiny and, if Robino says all shiny granite is sealed, I wont disagree.
My granite was installed over 10 years ago and Ive never done any re-sealing. I use Clorox Wipes to clean it daily and it still looks as good today as it did 10+ years ago. It's a somewhat light color and I've never had a problem with staining. I have granite squares in my garden windows and they get a lot of abuse but they also still look like new.
Granite, one of natures most durable creations....
You could do nothing and the most that would happen is some discoloration.
Personally, after living with it for 5 years, I hate the stuff. Maybe it's just the high gloss black with the 1990's vibe, but it shows every fingerprint, crumb and spec of dust. Constant care is needed.... so I'm going after mine with a sander this summer to "hone" it to a matte finish.
As for sealing, I've done it twice... once when we bought the house and a couple years later. I don't think it needed it, but I had the sealer on hand and it's one of those projects that so stupidly easy, even a trained dog could do it. If you're of the opinion that 10 minutes of effort "just incase" is reasonable, then seal the granite yourself. As for a sealer, I can heartily recommend 511 Impregnator. We use it on our outside terra cotta tiles (open to the elements) and it does a FANTASTIC job. Seriously couldn't be happier, well... it's starting to look like it needs another coat 5 years on, so I could be happier if it were a once-n-done.
I love my granite but it is a darker color and as has already been said, it is just like stainless steel, it shows every smudge, fingerprint etc. I have three tempered glass cutting boards on it and that is where I do most of my work. Above all do not allow oil to drip on it. I had a bottle of olive oil and unknown to me, it ran down the side and a ring was formed. It was maybe a month old and I flipped out. I was told to make a poultice of water and baking soda and let it sit under plastic wrap for two days and then wipe up. It was gone after a day.
Most all granite is already sealed. If it is shiny, it is sealed.
That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. If it's "shiny" it means it's polished! You would actually have to ask if it's sealed- there's no way to tell by "looking at it".
Sealing really has more to do with how you use it- if you're not prepping food directly on it, there's little to no reason to seal it. Most people who spill/splash usually are cleaning it up in short order; not like it's sitting there for a week.
I have three tempered glass cutting boards on it and that is where I do most of my work.
Ouch! your poor, poor knives....
OP, seal it. don't seal it, use product A or B or C ~ it is a PERSONAL DECISION. If you don't cook, there's no reason to seal it. If you cook, but are meticulous about being clean, there's no reason to seal it. But if you want to seal it, there are Very cheap and Very easy options.. or spend more on a different and more difficult option if you feel like it. It's all Personal, there is no cut and dried answer for the indecisive.
OP, seal it. don't seal it, use product A or B or C ~ it is a PERSONAL DECISION. If you don't cook, there's no reason to seal it. If you cook, but are meticulous about being clean, there's no reason to seal it. But if you want to seal it, there are Very cheap and Very easy options.. or spend more on a different and more difficult option if you feel like it. It's all Personal, there is no cut and dried answer for the indecisive.
Thanks, but that was the point of starting this whole thread - I'm looking for actual data to support my decision, not just hearsay or guessing. I also don't understand the comment about not cooking - do people have a kitchen and NEVER cook in it? Of course we will use it to cook. So, I guess it does need to sealed by this reasoning, but I still have no clue what to use to seal it.
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