Buffing and Polishing questions, answered by experts
Unfortunately, the product Bar Keepers Friend won’t remove etching from stone countertops. In fact, it can make it worse. Bar Keepers Friend contains oxalic acid, which can cause further damage to natural stones like marble or limestone.
Yes, it is possible to buff and polish your floors yourself, particularly for smaller areas. However, this is considered an intermediate-level DIY project that is time-consuming and requires patience and know-how. The process involves cleaning the floors before applying a polish, which can be done manually with a cloth or with a rented or purchased floor buffer and buffing solution. If not done correctly, you risk leaving burn-like marks, puddles, or an uneven finish, which could lead to costly repairs. For larger spaces or to ensure a professional result, hiring a professional is often worthwhile. They use industrial equipment to complete the job faster, providing a deep clean and a more even, polished finish without damaging your floors.
You generally cannot change the color of the natural stone, such as making granite countertops darker or lighter. Some people claim that certain chemicals will lighten or darken granite, but those will damage the stone and not provide uniform, expected results, so it’s better not to try. Similarly, some people ask whether they can stain over granite. Granite is beloved for its stain-resistant finish, so you probably won’t get the best outcome if you try to stain over granite to make it darker.
Instead, consider honing, painting, or applying another material over the top of the granite to make it appear darker.
Sweep daily, use appropriate cleaners, and avoid abrasive tools to maintain the shine.
The cost to polish floors averages around $200per room, but you could pay anywhere from $100 to $300. Some factors that influence the total cost of floor polishing include the following:
Square footage of flooring
Type of floor
Whether you need floor repairs done beforehand
Whether or not you want professional floor cleaning done beforehand
Since square footage is the most significant cost factor, you might get a more accurate estimate by using the average cost per square foot for floor polishing, which is between $1.00 and $2.50.
The Terry, MT homeowners’ guide to buffing and polishing services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
It’s impossible to keep floors damage-free over the years. Thankfully, the cost to refinish hardwood floors is far less than the price tag to replace them altogether.