Travertine Honing and Polishing in Lakeway

If you live in Lakeway or anywhere in the greater Austin area and are in need of natural stone surface restoration, give Santa Fe Floor Care a call. In this case study I documented what it takes to renew and restore this travertine counter top. This Travertine counter tops are a bit of a rarity these days we typically see travertine used as floor tiles which can give your home a beautiful look and feal. However, this day we answered the call to bring back life to this beautiful stone. In this case study I am going to answer some basic questions about maintenance and restoration of travertine counter tops and surfaces.

What is the best way to clean travertine?

According to the Natural Stone Institute you should always use a PH neutral cleaner made specifically for natural stone to clean your travertine. Use a soft cloth or sponge and avoid harsh scrubbing when possible. It is very important that you never use an acidic cleaner on your travertine surface because it will etch the surface ruin the finish. However, if you are like most people, you will find it difficult to avoid the occasional spills and wear and tear. Over the years it you will find your stone surface losing a little of its life and luster and it may be time to call in a professional stone restorer.

How To Make My Travertine Shine Again?

To make your travertine shine again there is a multi-step process all stone restoration experts must fallow. This process includes honing with diamond embedded pads, Polishing with a calcite stone polish, and cleaning with a PH neutral cleaner.

Travertine Honing

First step is to hone the travertine using diamond embedded pads. In this case study I used a 8 inch monkey pad at a low grit to completely resurface the stone and remove all the etch marks and imperfections. You must repeat this process multiple times while consistently going up in grit level of honing pad. Make sure to use water and plenty of pressure to ensure the honing pads are cutting the stone. This process is very messy so make sure to cover the client’s cabinets, walls and floors with tarps and plastic. If you choose to end the process here you will be left with a low to medium reflection depending on what grit level you are at. A medium to high hone finish is arguably better for maintenance and appearance because it doesn’t tend to show etching or imperfections over time.

Travertine Polishing

After you completed the honing passes it’s time to polish. Use a white hogs hair pad, calcite stone polish and water to buff the travertine slowly. Apply lots of pressure and go slowly at first. As the polish dries let up a bit and increase the speed of the hand buffer to burnish. After polishing make sure to clean the stone with a PH neutral cleaner to ensure the stone is free of residue. The polished finish is a beautiful glass like reflection, however can be difficult to maintain over time. The higher the reflection the more the travertine tends to show ware marks and etching.

 

What Is The Recommended Finish For Travertine?

There is a large spectrum of finishes for travertine. From matte or honed to medium and high honed and all the way to polished. They all have their unique qualities, however depending on your life style and level of care you may want to take a couple of things into consideration. Polished travertine is very beautiful and has a glass like reflection, however it tends to show all imperfections that will undoubtedly occur over time. Honed finishes have low reflectivity and tend to not show etching or stains nearly as much. There is also the high honed finish which is my personal favorite because it leaves the stone with a semi-gloss look that still has a low enough refection that it is easy to maintain but also boasts a nice smooth look.

 

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Do you have travertine that needs to be restored to like new? Reach out to us. At Santa Fe Floor Care, we invite you to check our credentials to see for yourself why we are Austin, TX’s preferred and trusted floor care company. CONTACT FORM or call (512) 632-1621 today for a FREE estimate.