Stone care & repair
Scratches: how to fix them on every surface
Whether a scratch can be fixed depends on how hard the surface is and whether its colour runs all the way through. Soapstone scratches sand out at home; marble scratches polish out professionally; scratches through the printed glaze on porcelain are permanent. And many "scratches" are really metal marks that clean off.
Protect it for good
Clear film that stops etching and stains, backed by a 10-year warranty. Start your free estimate with your number.
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 | On polished marble, most scratches come from dragging ceramic plates, appliances and grit. On honed marble the same scratches are far less visible. | Moderate to professional | Read fix |
| Travertine | Scratches on travertine tables often show most in the fills, which are softer than the stone. | Moderate to professional | Read fix |
| Limestone | Limestone scuffs easily around the edges of islands where bags, keys and chairs rub against it. | Moderate to professional | Read fix |
| Onyx | Onyx scratches from glassware alone, so backlit bars accumulate fine scratches quickly. A specialist polish removes them. | Professional | Read fix |
| Dolomite | Dolomite resists scratches better than marble, so visible scratches usually come from something harder than daily use, such as grit or ceramic bases dragged across it. | Moderate to professional | Read fix |
| Granite | Most "scratches" on granite are metal left behind by pots and utensils. Try a non-scratch cream cleaner before assuming the stone is damaged. | Easy to check; professional to repair | Read fix |
| Quartzite | Quartzite is harder than glass, so a real scratch in true quartzite is rare. If yours scratches easily, it may be dolomite. | Easy to check; professional to repair | Read fix |
| Quartz | On matte and dark quartz, fine grey lines are usually metal marks from cookware sitting on the surface, and clean off. | Easy to check; limited repair | Read fix |
| Porcelain | Grey lines on porcelain are usually metal marks, not scratches, and come off with a non-scratch cream cleaner. True scratches through a printed glaze are permanent. | Easy to check; limited repair | Read fix |
| Terrazzo | In terrazzo, scratches show more in the softer binder than in the stone chips. | Moderate to professional | Read fix |
| Concrete | Scratches on concrete benchtops are usually in the sealer or wax, and refinishing the coating removes them. | Moderate to professional | Read fix |
| Soapstone | Soapstone is the one stone where fixing scratches is genuinely a DIY job. Most light scratches disappear with a rub of mineral oil; deeper ones sand out. | Easy (DIY) | 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
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.