RESTORATION. Simple restoration (refinishing) of stone (also known as the two-step procedure ), involves the process of honing its surface (as a first step) by using abrasive means. The very top of the stone surface will be "tiled" away, thus eliminating all etchings and almost all scratches. The process, however, does not go very deep, therefore deeper scratches and nicks will not be eliminated. Further, due to circumstances beyond our control, a few scratches may be generated during the honing process and will not show until the job is finished. This will not detract in any way from the overall quality and look of the finished job.
If the installation contractor used sanded grout to originally set the floor, it is advisable to have the grout removed and replaced with the sandless type.
POLISHING. The second and final phase of the two-step procedure is called polishing, and it is meant to produce a high gloss on the stone surface. Polishing already installed stone (after being honed), whether on a floor, wall, shower enclosure, vanity or kitchen counter top, etc., involves the use of equipment and techniques quite different from that used in the stone processing plants. Consequently, the original finish cannot be exactly duplicated, but in several instances, can be even better than the original one.
When polishing marble, travertine, limestone or any other calcite-based stone, IMG WILL NOT use any acidic polishing liquid. We use a polishing powder. The main components of every polishing powder or compound used by IMG to polish all calcite-based stones are metal oxides and contain no acid, or only a percentage of the few acids that have been proven to be safe over generations of stone refinishers all over the world. Such powders, in fact, have pH factors ranging from 4.5 to 7. This can be verified from the MSDS, which will be made available to the client upon request.
GRINDING (for floors only). The grinding of a stone floor is the first phase of the so-called three-step procedure and will be followed by honing and, optionally, polishing. It is a once in a lifetime of the floor process to be implemented at the time of the first restoration intervention after installation. It could represent an option (if done for cosmetic and easier maintenance reasons), but it could become necessary if the circumstances grant it (excessive "lippage", green marble floors, granite floors, etc.). The grinding step is a procedure designed to level all components of the floor (stone tiles, or cut-to-size slabs) to be flush with one another. All "lips", nicks, and deep scratches will be eliminated.