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
Granite resists acid etching and most scratches, but lighter, more porous granites can absorb oil and dark liquids, and some commercial "granites" contain minerals that react with acid. Protection film keeps granite stain-free and its polish intact without the periodic resealing granite usually needs.
Key points
- True granite is mostly quartz and feldspar: acid resistant.
- Light granites are often more porous and stain more easily.
- The trade name "granite" includes stones that are not granite.
- Film ends the resealing cycle and keeps the polish perfect.
Hard, but not always stain-proof
Granite forms from cooled magma, so it is made of hard silicate minerals rather than calcite. Lemon juice will not etch it and a knife will not scratch it. Porosity is where granites differ: dense dark granites barely absorb anything, while light, coarse-grained granites can drink up oil like a sponge, leaving dark patches around the cooktop.
The stone trade also sells some rocks as "granite" that geologists would call something else. A few of them contain calcite or other soft minerals and can etch or pit. If your granite has dull spots, it may not be pure granite.
When granite is worth filming
We most often film granite in three situations: light-coloured kitchens where oil staining has already started; commercial bars, cafés and restaurant tables where heavy use slowly wears the polish; and homes where the owners are simply tired of resealing. Film replaces that maintenance with a protected surface that just needs wiping.