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
Concrete benchtops etch when acids react with the cement, leaving pale marks, and they absorb oils and dark liquids readily. Sealers and waxes wear and need reapplying. Clear protection film sits over the surface as a lasting barrier against etching and stains, in Matte/Satin to keep the natural look or Gloss for a polished one.
Key points
- Cement reacts with acid, leaving light-coloured etch marks.
- Concrete is porous and stains easily.
- Sealers and waxes wear and need regular reapplication.
- We check the existing surface finish before quoting.
Why concrete marks
Concrete is cement paste binding sand and aggregate. Cement is alkaline, so acids such as lemon juice, wine, vinegar and many cleaners react with it and leave pale, rough etch marks. The paste is also full of fine pores, so oil and coloured liquids soak in and darken the surface.
That is why concrete benchtops are usually sealed or waxed. Those coatings wear down in busy areas, which is where marks start appearing: around the sink, beside the cooktop and wherever food is prepared.
Filming concrete
Film sits over the surface as a durable barrier, so the concrete underneath no longer relies on a coating that wears. Because concrete benchtops are finished in many different ways, we look at the existing surface before quoting to make sure the film will bond and look right.