Polishing Marble

plazaman

Guys,

Got a customer who wants to polish their marble floors....

Ive buffed VCT before, but not marble.

Any info or insights on this?

Floorwizard

you can ruin it easily.

you can buy a polishing kit, and follow the instructions. a tilestore shouldhave access to it.

__________________
------------------------
"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

plazaman

Could i possibly just polish without the grinding?

Floorwizard

perhaps.

but it's kinda like finishing a hardwood without sanding first.

__________________
------------------------
"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

plazaman

around how much would you charge for a 225 Sf. refinish ( grind, polish, buff)?

Floorwizard

I do not have a clue unfortunately.
Plus my rates in AK would be higher.

Plus it's time and materials. I would need to inspect extent of damage first.

__________________
------------------------
"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

plazaman

thanks for the info. i dont i'll be able to handle this task. seems too risky.

747

I was watching a black guy polish the floors one night at the sheraton i was staying at. They looked awesome when he was done. They were like a tan marble really sharp.

rspainhower

Leave that work to a floor restoration company that specializes in that. Or get some education and learn how to do it right. I just refer customers to my prefered floor restoration company.

__________________
Randy
Tile Setter

kneel_eh!

DON"T GRIND ! If the floor is 'so far gone' that you need to grind it. Replace it.
Just talked to our marble guy down at the local university. He looks after 250,000 sq.ft. That is all he does.
He used to use a 3M product but says they have made some changes in composition and is now waiting for a product made by Greer. It comes out of Minnesota. Check around.
Two products I have used with good results. Jewellers rouge,( check with a knife maker)moderately applied directly to your FELT buffing pad. LOW speed. Keep a close eye on what it is doing and keep the buffer moving. Don't over do it on any one spot. Put on clean pads-lambs wool- and use hi-speed. Again, keep the buffer moving! Not to fast though. Repeat as necessary.
I have also used marine polish containing a MILD abrasive. Same application. Let the polish DRY. It is a slow process. Be prepared for a full day's work so I price hourly + material. Take your time or don't take the job! This will improve the appearance as it polishes the scratches out, and gives a nice sheen to the marble. The more you polish on hi-speed, the shinier the floor.Don't take your eyes off of the buffer while it is moving! Depending on how bad the floor is , determines how much work you have to put into it to bring it back!

__________________
'Just cuz I'm paranoid, does'nt mean everyone's not out to get me !!!

Teetorbilt

I've tried very hard to forget finishing terrazzo as a teenager, I think that I have succeeded. We used to wet grind. Terrazzo is coming back 'in' now and I'm seeing mostly dry grinding. I'm guessing mold issues.

Marble should be about the same just softer.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Joh

plazaman polishing a floor is very easy for a floor restoration company that specializes. If you want to start polishing stone it will be in your best interests to take a class are hook up with the local guy.
Teetorbilt, Terrazzo is one of the easiest when it comes to polishing.

Here is a link that will show you marble been grind and polish.

plazaman

Thanks for all the info guys. I decided to leave it alone. Ive done regular buff/wax before on vct, that was pretty simple.