Stone care & repair
Dull surfaces & lost shine: how to fix them on every surface
A benchtop that has lost its shine is either coated in residue (which cleans off) or has a worn surface (which needs professional re-polishing). On marble and travertine, dullness is usually etching; on quartz and porcelain, it is almost always residue.
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.
Choose your surface
Every surface compared
| Surface | What is different on this surface | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble | Before assuming your marble needs polishing, degrease it. A film of cooking oil and cleaner residue makes polished marble look flat, and it wipes off. | Easy (residue) to professional (re-polishing) | Read fix |
| Travertine | Travertine is usually honed, so what looks dull is often uneven: some areas etched lighter, others darkened by oil. Re-honing evens the whole surface. | Easy (residue) to professional (re-polishing) | Read fix |
| Limestone | Honed limestone is naturally matte. If it looks patchy rather than evenly matte, re-honing is the fix. | Easy (residue) to professional (re-polishing) | Read fix |
| Onyx | Onyx loses its glow quickly as the polish wears. Re-polishing by an onyx specialist brings back both the shine and the translucency. | Easy (residue) to professional (re-polishing) | Read fix |
| Dolomite | Dolomite dulls slowly, usually around the sink first. Because it is harder than marble, polishing powders work slowly; professional polishing is more effective. | Easy (residue) to professional (re-polishing) | Read fix |
| Granite | Granite rarely dulls from wear. Flat-looking granite is usually coated in residue from cleaners or oils. | Easy (residue) to professional (re-polishing) | Read fix |
| Quartzite | Dull patches on quartzite are often the factory resin wearing in high-traffic zones rather than the stone itself. | Easy (residue) to professional (re-polishing) | Read fix |
| Quartz | Quartz cannot be re-polished at home the way marble can. Dullness is usually residue, which cleans off, or chemical damage to the resin, which needs a repairer. | Easy (residue) to professional (damage) | Read fix |
| Porcelain | Dull porcelain is nearly always cleaner residue. Rinsing after cleaning and drying with microfibre keeps the shine. | Easy (residue) to professional (damage) | Read fix |
| Terrazzo | Terrazzo dulls unevenly because the binder and chips wear at different rates. A specialist regrinds the surface flat before polishing. | Easy (residue) to professional (re-polishing) | Read fix |
| Concrete | A dull concrete benchtop usually means the sealer or wax has worn, especially around the sink and cooktop. | Easy (residue) to professional (re-polishing) | Read fix |
| Soapstone | Soapstone is not meant to be shiny. What owners usually want is depth of colour, and that comes from an even coat of mineral oil. | Easy | 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, travertine, limestone, onyx 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.