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.
Quick answer
Rust transfer on granite lifts with a rust poultice labelled safe for granite and natural stone. Be cautious with strong acidic removers: the stone itself tolerates acid, but factory resin fills and treatments may not. Orange spots with no external source can be iron minerals inside the granite oxidising, which may only partly lift.
First, check what you are dealing with
- Ring shaped like a can or tin: rust transfer, usually removable.
- Scattered orange spots in the stone itself: internal iron minerals.
What you need
- Stone-safe rust poultice
- Plastic wrap
- Plastic scraper
- Gloves
Step by step
Clean the area
Remove the metal object and wash with warm soapy water.
Test and apply
Test the rust poultice on a hidden spot, then apply it thickly over the stain.
Cover and wait
Cover, tape and leave for the time on the label.
Remove and rinse
Scrape off, rinse thoroughly and dry.
What not to use on granite
- Undiluted acidic rust removers on resin-treated slabs.
- Scouring pads on polished stone.
When to call a professional
If spots are coming from within the stone, a restorer can advise. A stone restorer can re-polish granite with diamond pads and draw out deep stains.
Understanding rust stains on granite
Granite porosity varies enormously: dense dark granites barely absorb anything, while light, coarse-grained granites soak up oil around the cooktop.
A stone restorer can re-polish granite with diamond pads and draw out deep stains.
Good to know
Some granites contain iron-bearing minerals that can rust from within, leaving orange spots that were never caused by a can or tin. Those are part of the stone and may only partly lift.
Stop it happening again
Whether yours is light granites like Kashmir White and dense dark granites like Absolute Black, repairing it fixes today's mark; protecting it stops the next one. Our clear Stone Protection Film sits over the surface, so liquids cannot soak in. Choose Gloss for polished granite or Matte/Satin for honed and matte finishes. The protection is identical. It is installed across Sydney with a 10-year written warranty.
How we protect granite · Stain removal guide · Rust stains on every surface