Looking for advice on Granite Countertops

[Rob]

Okay, anyone have Granite counters in their kitchen?

Mine are starting to look cloudy if the light hits them at the right angle...

The guy at Lowes today said I should buy car wax and wax them just like I would my car.  He says he's been doing this to Granite for years and years and it works great.

I'm a bit hesitant to start waxing away at my counters though.

Anyone have any tips for shining these things up other than that oen?  Or has anyone actually tried that and had any luck?

Thanks in advance!

[Ben]

My parents have had granite countertops in their kitchen since 2000. I know they don't wax it, but instead use a good brand of granite cleaner on it.

Of course, the counters are only five years old, so I doubt they'd start to get cloudy already.

[Jesse James]

The carwax couldn't hurt it I wouldn't think, so I'd give it a shot Rob, but I've never heard of any kind of care being necessary for granite countertops either.  I'd think they're porous though and require something to keep them shiney... 

[Avenging Knight]

My wife and I just put granite counter tops in our kitchen a few months ago. I wouldn't recommend car wax. My wife who is more knowledgeable about these things says that to bring back the shine you should use a special cleaner to first clean (strip) the surface then use a resealer. Both products are made specifically for granite. She says you can purchase them at Lowes or Home Depot.

[Rob]

My parents have had granite countertops in their kitchen since 2000. I know they don't wax it, but instead use a good brand of granite cleaner on it.

Of course, the counters are only five years old, so I doubt they'd start to get cloudy already.

Ours are a year and a half old.   We do have StoneTech granite cleaner, and we have a special polish as well.

[Rob]

My wife and I just put granite counter tops in our kitchen a few months ago. I wouldn't recommend car wax. My wife who is more knowledgeable about these things says that to bring back the shine you should use a special cleaner to first clean (strip) the surface then use a resealer. Both products are made specifically for granite. She says you can purchase them at Lowes or Home Depot.

I failed to mention (until the above post) that the counters are only a year and a half old.  I'd think (and hope) that resealing them wouldn't be necessary at this point. 

When I asked the guy at Lowes whether or not it was a cleaning issue or a sealing issue, he seemed pretty adament that it had nothing to do with the sealer.

[Deanpaul]

Maybe it's plastic build up?

[ruiner]

Something smells fishy if they're only a year and a half old...are you 100% certain that they are "real" granite?

[Jedi Idej]

You could have a buildup of polish and whatever contaminants were on the surface prior to applying the polish. In this case, car wax will only add another layer that'll dull eventually. I've never encountered this problem, but I do know there are stone cleaners available that claim to remove stains and soils without damaging the surface or leave behind chemicals.

added: Oh, yeah, what Avenging Knight said.

I've talked with granite salespeople from stores that specialize in countertops. They always recommend a sealer every 12mos-18mos. It's probably overkill, but it's an inexpensive preventive maintenance.

[Rob]

Something smells fishy if they're only a year and a half old...are you 100% certain that they are "real" granite?

They're real - and it hasn't happened on all the counters.

[Rob]

You could have a buildup of polish and whatever contaminants were on the surface prior to applying the polish.

This is my thinking too - I think this upcoming weekend I'm going to try stripping and resealing - wish me luck.

[Deanpaul]

Good luck. Make sure you move all your clones first. I don't think they'll help you get the results you're after.

[Famine]

I think this upcoming weekend I'm going to try stripping

Your best bet is to try a small joint, and make some cash there, and improve your skills. Then I'd try and get into a bigger club. Who knows, maybe you could make Chipndales some day!


Kevin

[Rob]

Clever Kevin.  Really clever.   

[Famine]

Clever Kevin.  Really clever.   

I try.

Kevin