The Science
What's happening
to your stone.
Four stages. By the end, you'll know exactly what grade of restoration your granite needs.
Step 01
How Granite Loses Its Polish
The chemistry of surface degradation
Granite's mirror finish isn't in the stone — it's a molecular surface layer abraded to optical flatness. Acidic liquids (lemon juice, wine, vinegar) dissolve calcium carbonate in the crystal matrix, creating microscopic pits. Each pit scatters light instead of reflecting it. After enough micro-attacks, your countertop looks dull even when clean.
Field note: pH below 5.5 begins etching within 90 seconds of contact.
Step 02
What Etching Is at the Molecular Level
The invisible damage beneath the surface
Etching isn't a stain that sits on top — it's a physical removal of stone. Acid reacts with feldspar and calcite minerals, dissolving them selectively. The result is a rough topography invisible to the naked eye but immediately apparent to reflected light. This is why etched granite shows white rings or dull patches that won't wipe away.
Field note: Etch depth: 2–15 microns. Restoration removes only what's needed.
Step 03
The Diamond-Honing Process
Precision abrasion from coarse to mirror
We begin with diamond-impregnated pads at 50-grit, cutting below the etch depth to a fresh crystal plane. Each subsequent pass — 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000-grit — refines the surface until scratch marks from the previous step are invisible. The final buff with a tin-oxide compound polishes the stone to a reflectivity measured in gloss units, not guesswork.
Field note: Six-stage process. Final gloss target: 85+ GU (glass-equivalent).
Step 04
Sealing and Protection
Closing the pores against future damage
After polishing, stone pores are fully open and vulnerable. We apply a fluoropolymer penetrating sealer that fills pores at a molecular level — not coating the surface, but becoming part of it. Liquids bead on the surface for 10–15 years. We test absorption rate before and after with a water-drop timer, leaving you with a documented baseline.
Field note: Absorption rate: from 45 sec (untreated) to 8+ minutes (sealed).
Free Assessment
Diagnose Your
Granite.
Five questions. Two minutes. A restoration grade and personalized recommendation — at no cost.
What is your current stone finish?
If you're unsure, run your palm across it — polished feels like glass, honed feels like satin.
Results
Stone remembers
what it looked like.
Homeowners, property managers, and estate agents — three perspectives on the same result.
Kitchen Island · Etching + Dullness
Grade: Moderate → Mirror finish
Foyer Floor · Traffic wear
Grade: Deep → Full restoration
I was convinced we'd need to replace the entire island. The granite had been dulled by years of lemon water and wine. Resurface came in for a day and it photographs like glass now — exactly what we needed before listing.
Moderate Restoration
Mirror-polish restored in 8 hours
Catherine Osei
Homeowner · Pasadena, CA
We prep 12–15 luxury units a year. Resurface handles every granite surface between tenants. The consistency is remarkable — every slab comes out to the same gloss standard. Tenants notice.
Mild Restoration
94 sq ft sealed in 5 hours
James Whitfield
Property Manager · Beverly Hills, CA
The kitchen is the photograph that sells the home. I've used Resurface on three listings in the past year. The before-and-after difference is dramatic — it's the highest-ROI prep work I know.
Deep Restoration
Cracks filled, full polish achieved
Priya Nambiar
Estate Agent · Malibu, CA
Book a Visit
Ready when
your stone is.
Skip the diagnosis quiz and book directly. We'll assess on-site and provide a written estimate before any work begins. No obligation.
Site Assessment
A technician visits, measures, and documents damage with calibrated gloss readings.
Written Estimate
Fixed-price quote. No hourly rates, no surprise materials charges.
Restoration Day
Diamond honing, polishing, and sealing completed in a single visit for most jobs.