Many homeowners take pride in their kitchen, and they want it to look its best. Granite countertops are beautiful, but they can show scratches and staining quickly. These tips will help you learn how to polish your granite countertops at home, so you can maintain the stunning appearance of this natural stone in your kitchen for years to come. Once you see how easy these tips are to implement, you’ll never have any excuse not to keep your counters looking their best!

              Granite is beautiful and durable, but it can also be a little difficult to clean. Luckily, there's an easy way to get your granite countertops looking like new again. In this guide we'll show you how to polish your granite countertops so they'll shine without the hassle of harsh chemicals or expensive professional services.

Assess the Damage
           Determine the level of damage you’re hoping to repair before taking any further restoration steps yourself. The more severe the damage is (marks and chips beyond the surface area), the higher possibility you will need to reach out to a professional for help. If there are only water spots or stains and light scratching then you are looking at a fun DIY countertop polishing project. Wet and dry polishing is usually performed by a professional but with the right tools and directions you could be polishing your own stone in order to maintain it as well.

Before You Polish
            Before you seal your granite countertops, there are a few things you'll need to do. First, clean the surface thoroughly. A clean granite countertop is easier to polish than one that is dirty. To ensure your granite is clean, remove all dirt and debris using a non-abrasive cleaning product such as mild dish soap or natural stone cleaner with no abrasives or solvents in it. Then use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the surface completely removing any soapy residue that remains on it after cleaning. Finally dry off the area with another clean cloth.

            Before you polish your stone countertop you need to first determine whether or not it requires dry or wet polishing. Dry polishing is appropriate for lighter wear and tear or stains that are still visible but do not penetrate deep into the surface, while wet polishing is best in cases where stone has had heavy wear-and-tear, abrasions, or is extremely stained.

What is Wet Polishing?
           Wet polishing is the process of using a machine to polish your granite countertops.

           The machine uses a polishing compound and water to polish the countertop. The machine can be purchased or rented, and it's recommended that you use it with a polishing compound. One of the best wet stone polishers in the market is the MAKITA 4" WET STONE POLISHER. This versatile polisher is a favorite for professional stone work.

What is Dry Polishing?
            Dry polishing involves sanding and finishing by hand in order to make your counters smooth and shiny. The most important aspect to keep in mind when dry-polishing your countertops is that you should be using a suitable power tool, not just a pad and scrub brush. Professional wet stone polishers often use what’s called an elevated orbital wet stone polisher (this machine has two pads) - this is what you want if you are dry-polishing with just one pad, which would require different handling techniques. If you decide on dry-polishing, it's best to have some experience before attempting this type of DIY project. It's also advisable to have several different types of polishing powder on hand: mild abrasive, medium grit, and fine grit.

How to Polish Granite
           Granite is one of the most common types of stones used for home renovation projects and granite countertop finishes are usually considered worth it because they're easier to maintain than other counters such as marble. The color, texture and pattern of each stone make granite a popular choice in kitchens since it’s resistant to stains and designated for high traffic areas; however, even this durable stone can develop nicks and scratches over time.

           When working with granite it’s important to keep in mind that each stone has its own pattern and variation. When restoring your granite, you’ll need to use a gentle touch when rubbing off stains and make sure you only use approved chemicals (or those specifically recommended by your local supplier) and follow safety precautions when working with such materials around moisture. If you are feeling confident enough you can try either dry or wet polishing your counters. Either way make sure you follow the appropriate steps provided by the tool manufacturers and continue to seal your work with the appropriate solutions.

Preventative Tips

           The best way to prevent scratches or stains on granite is to clean up spills quickly, using paper towels to absorb any liquid then wiping them off with a damp cloth as soon as possible. Granite should always get sealed, this can protect it up to 6 months and will stop most surface stains from setting in. Once you know how to properly maintain your granite countertop, it’s just important that you have the proper equipment so it doesn’t ruin or damage when performing regular cleaning procedures.

             That’s it! It may seem like a lot to remember, but once you get the hang of it, polishing your granite countertop will be as easy as pie. And remember: if something goes wrong with your polish job (and it happens to everyone), don’t worry—just repeat these steps until everything is looking good again.

           If you need replacement parts for your power tool visit our extensive replacement parts page where you will find what you are looking for. We carry replacement parts from all major brands such as Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Rockwell, Jet and much more!