Stone care & repair
Heat & burn marks: how to fix them on every surface
Hot pans can scorch the resin in quartz, cloud the sealer on concrete and dull the polish on marble. Some of these marks come out; scorched resin usually does not. Whatever the surface, a trivet is still the best protection.
Before you try anything: always speak to a professional before cleaning, treating or applying any product to your stone. Every slab is different, and the wrong product can cause permanent damage. Contact us or a qualified stone restorer first.
Every surface compared
| Surface | What is different on this surface | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble | White or cloudy marks from hot dishes on marble are usually a mix of heat and moisture damaging the polish, or etching from what was in the pan. Both re-polish. | Moderate to professional | Read fix |
| Granite | Granite handles heat well, but a sudden temperature change on a cold slab can crack it. Trivets are still worthwhile. | Moderate to professional | Read fix |
| Quartzite | Quartzite is heat-tolerant, but many slabs are resin-treated, and it is the resin, not the stone, that marks under a hot pan. | Moderate to professional | Read fix |
| Quartz | Heat is the one thing quartz genuinely struggles with. A hot pan can scorch or yellow the resin, and sudden heat can crack the slab. Scorch marks are usually permanent. | Professional | Read fix |
| Concrete | White, cloudy marks from hot pots on concrete are usually in the sealer or wax, not the concrete itself, and are fixed by refinishing the coating. | Moderate to professional | Read fix |
Rules that apply to every surface
- Act fast. The sooner you blot or wipe, the less there is to fix.
- Test first. Try any method on a hidden spot and check once it is dry.
- No acids on calcite. Vinegar, lemon and most descalers etch marble, travertine, limestone and onyx.
- Protect after repair. A clear film stops the same mark happening again.
Frequently asked questions
Porous and acid-sensitive stones such as marble, concrete need the most care. Non-porous surfaces like porcelain and quartz are usually the easiest.
Always. Try any chemical or poultice on a hidden spot, such as inside a sink cut-out or under an overhang, and check the finish once dry.
A clear protection film over the surface keeps spills and acids off the stone. Stone Film Sydney installs it across Sydney with a 10-year warranty.
Stop fixing. Start protecting.
Clear anti-etch, anti-stain film for every stone in Sydney. Free, no-obligation quote, on site or over the phone.