I know what cultured marble is and this product is not cultured marble. The vanity top and back-splash are two separate pieces; the sink is an under-mount and not a part of the vanity top. The product could easily be mistaken for marble …….. I removed the vanity top today It weighs 15.4 pounds without fixtures and marked with something in Chinese. This was my first encounter with engineered stone and I must admit “IT LOOKED BETTER THAN MARBLE” No warranty but the retailer has agreed to send the home owner a new top. The home owner has agreed to give me the old top if the retailer doesn’t want it, If that happens I’ll’ give you a call John.

Thanks,

Joe

From: tdfabrication@gmail.com [mailto:tdfabrication@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Monte Osterman
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 1:21 PM
To: Restoration and Maintenance
Subject: RE: [sccpartners] Polishing Marble Vanity Top

I agree, I think this is not a natural stone product. One clue is the question about polishing the joint where splash meets deck. Usually these are set on splashes and not integra. If the joint is coved and is appears as one piece I am sure this is a cultured marble product. Does this have integral bowl and integral splash. Keep in mind many customers tell you they bought a marble vanity when they really don't know the difference themselves. First step, identify the material.

Monte Osterman

Technical Director, Fabrication

Stone and Tile Pros

On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 8:16 AM, John Freitag <jfreitag@thestoneandtileschool.com> wrote:

Joe ,

Smart, if you’re not familiar with engineered stone be careful. If you hone it, it’s not like honing marble or granite. I recommend the diamond from Alpha that are designed for engineered stone. you normally start at a 500 grit or higher, note the stone is not damaged in most cases , it is the resin that is used to hold the stone together that is usually damaged, unless there is a quartz pop out or these is what is called resin pooling.

Most of the engineered stones do not have the deep shine we are use to seeing in granite and marble. There are some process I can give you to try should you elect to try and fix the problem.

Most engineered stone comes with a warranty from the manufacturer and the customer should contact the company they purchased the top from to see if there is any warranty on it .

If not and you want to try fixing it call me, we can review some simple processes

John E. Freitag

President/Director

The Stone and Tile School

Office 407-567-7652

Cell 407-615-0134

jfreitag@thestoneandtileschool.com

Error! Filename not specified.

www.thestoneandtileschool.com

From: Stone & Grout Meister [mailto:mail@stoneandgroutmeister.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 1:40 PM

To: Restoration and Maintenance
Subject: RE: [sccpartners] Polishing Marble Vanity Top

John, I’m not sure if it is a true marble. I think it might be engineered for a couple of reasons:

1) The manufacture referees to the stone as cream.

2) The stone has a fiber glass mesh glued to the underside.

3) The stone has a finish similar to Corian.

4) The finish looks like it was sanded and then finished with a buffing compound.

5) The finish has very little clarity or reflection.

6) The etch marks are isolated to areas approximately 1/4 “ in diameter all over the surface, If it was a true marble and was sprayed wouldn’t the etch marks be much larger especially with a wiping motion.

7) Vanity, marble top, sink, faucets and free shipping for less than $1,200.

I called the manufacture and left a message, but they have not returned my call. I’m not familiar with engineered stone and I don’t want to get over my head.

Thanks,

Joe

From: John Freitag [mailto:jfreitag@thestoneandtileschool.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 7:39 AM
To: Restoration and Maintenance
Subject: RE: [sccpartners] Polishing Marble Vanity Top

Joe,

Are you sure this is a marble surface??? I looked at the countertop on the attached link and this looks very similar to an engineered stone. if this is an engineered stone it may not be an etch mark but marks left from other products that attacked the resins in the engineered stone.

If this is a marble you can probably achieve the finish using a honing powder to blend the finishes.

JOHN

From: Stone & Grout Meister [mailto:mail@stoneandgroutmeister.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 2:06 AM
To: Restoration and Maintenance
Subject: [sccpartners] Polishing Marble Vanity Top

I looked at a vanity purchased from Max Furniture http://www.maxfurniture.com/Quick+Ship+Vanities+Click+Here/3340/147-114-5221.asp . About a week after installing the vanity one of the family cleaned the vanity top with an unknown product that left multiple etch marks on the surface. I’ve polished marble floors but not a vanity top. The top doesn’t have a marble like finish, the finish is similar to polished Corian. How do you polish the joint where the back-splash and vanity top joins ? Will a felt pad work ?

Thanks,

Joe

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