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Reno, NV on Apr 16, 2012

spilled paint stripper on my bathroom countertop left rough 'etching' marks. How can I repair it?

spot is rough feeling and definitely has gone into the countertop to make a ditch or bowl where it has eaten away the surface. The counter is marble with a thick clear coating.

7 Comments

Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

Sounds rough Rivka.
I can't imagine that it can be repaired.
Try googling a marbalite repair man.

on Apr 17, 2012 · Like 1
Rivka I Reno, NV

Thanks! At least now I know which direction to go in now.

on Apr 17, 2012 · Like 0
Phoenix Stone Solutions Raleigh, NC

That is indeed etching if you have natural marble. We are actually dealing with a fireplace that has etched this morning. You should call a stone restoration specialist....there are a few things that can be done...sometimes it involves trying a few different things. As far as the shine, the sealer we apply afterward restores the original luster of the stone...if that is. If that will not be enough, we can carefully (very carefully), buff it to bring back shine with a special tool. Hope this helps!

on Apr 17, 2012 · Like 1
Rivka I Reno, NV

Thank you for the suggestions but this doesn't answer my question because it does not give me a way to repair the damage. I called a few places which were also at a loss for advice.
However, one of the maintenance crew has an epoxy we are going to try to see what happens.

on Apr 21, 2012 · Like 1
Phoenix Stone Solutions Raleigh, NC

did you put epoxy on your countertops? Please don't if you haven't already...I just saw this. Etching is a reaction to acid in your stone...it is just that, "etched". It needs to be buffed out, using industry specific products. Sometimes it is too deep to get out without sanding or buffing down too far...leaving a divot in your stone. This needs to be done by a professional. I want to stress that it is not a stain, so no amount of stain removing is going to fix it, since it is etched.

on Apr 23, 2012 · Like 0
Rivka I Reno, NV

I do know it is not a stain and it is already has a divot in one spot. I had assumed that since it was caustic enough to take off paint that it would not be a stain. By etching I meant a place that was eaten away by the paint stripper.

on Apr 23, 2012 · Like 0
Paticia G Clermont, FL

I had the same problem with clear coat in our NY home- Anything with an alcohol base ( mouthwash, cologne etc ) stripped the finish. I came up with a temporary solution by applying a non yellowing gloss varnish on the spots, but that was only cosmetic- never did find a solution except for replacing or having entire top refinished. One of the first things I looked at when buying our new house was the bathroom and kitchen counters as I did not want to deal with this problem again Sorry this is not much help

on Jul 02, 2012 · Like 0