How To Seal Granite Countertops
Here we share how to seal granite countertops including the required tools, how to choose a stone sealer and apply it, and important granite kitchen countertop maintenance tips.
Granite countertops provide a beautiful look in kitchens and bathrooms. A granite counter can serve as the room’s focal point and enhance the aesthetic appeal of a high-end kitchen.
With over 20 hues of granite to choose from, you will be able to choose one that matches your kitchen cabinets, flooring, and walls perfectly.
Granite is a highly durable material and does not scratch easily. While it is not ideal for working on since it dulls knife blades, it can withstand typical wear and tear. Granite is also heat resistant, making it excellent for usage near a stove or cook top.
Granite can withstand the heat without being harmed or weakened when you need to put down a hot pan quickly. Using a hair tool that is still warm in the restroom will not be a problem. [toc]
Tools Needed To Seal Granite
If you have beautiful granite countertops and want to keep them looking like they belong in a show house, you may need to seal them. Some countertops are pre-sealed, but if yours isn’t (or you are unsure), don’t wait to give it the protection it needs.
Improperly cleaning spills left unattended and other regular daily usage might quickly degrade the surface areas. To prevent damage, use a penetrating (or impregnating) sealant that soaks into the granite and fills the porous crevices to prevent damage.
True, a sealer only buys you time—unattended spills can ultimately leak through sealed granite—but the appropriate one and the methods for sealing a granite countertop will undoubtedly help safeguard your investment.
Water-based sealants are better for the environment, but solvent-based sealants may penetrate deeper into the stone—though this is probably only essential on polished granite. Look for the active component “fluorocarbon aliphatic resin” on the labels of water- or solvent-based sealants.
Though more expensive than sealants containing siloxane and silicone, fluorocarbon aliphatic resin will give protection for five to ten years, compared to six months to three years for other sealants.
Furthermore, fluorocarbon aliphatic resins resist oil and water so that a salad dressing spill won’t harm your granite. Depending on the manufacturer, a quart of fluorocarbon aliphatic resin sealer costs about $35 and covers 150 to 250 square feet.
A 24-ounce spray container of less powerful solvent costs around $15, but it may need reapplication every six months or so.
You will find comprehensive instructions for sealing granite countertops, but precise procedures may differ depending on the brand and active components. For the most significant results, be sure to follow the sealant’s label directions as well as some helpful hints.
Tools & materials for sealing granite:
• Granite sealer
• Microfiber cloths
• Liquid dishwashing detergent
• Spray bottle
• Isopropyl
• Rubbing alcohol
• Rubber gloves
• Soft rags
How to Choose A Granite Countertop Sealant
Once you have installed your perfect kitchen countertop, it is time to consider upkeep. Yes, granite doesn’t need much upkeep, but did you know that granite countertops require sealing now and then?
Granite, particularly light-colored stones, is porous by nature. For efficient sealing, learn about granite countertops and granite sealing materials.
What is the purpose of a granite sealer? Sealants for granite countertops are not the same as sealants for hardwood surfaces. Unlike sealing the different types of hardwood floors or surfaces with varnish
On the other hand, granite sealing solutions penetrate the stone and fill up the pores, safeguarding the surface from the inside. Using a sealer does not make the stone shine. Granite countertops shine beautifully on their own.
Why do you require a granite sealer? Applying a sealer to granite countertops does not make the stone resistant to scratches or scuffs, even if you choose the most refined granite sealer available.
Granite is one of the world’s hardest stones, and it is inherently resistant to physical harm. When the sealer impregnates the stone, it fills the pores and makes the surface impervious to liquids and stains.
Most dark granite colors for countertops do not need a sealer because of their density. Because these stones are so thick, they don’t easily absorb liquids.
Applying a sealer to these areas will only harm the stone by making the countertop surface “filmy” and ruining the shine.
As a result, most light-colored granite countertops need sealing. However, there is a simple test you can do to be sure.
The “drop test” involves dropping water or lemon juice on an inconspicuous area of your tabletop. Leave the drop on the counter and watch how quickly it absorbs the liquid.
There are so many sealing solutions on the market today that choosing the most refined sealer for granite may be challenging. But which granite sealer is the best?
According to our criteria, the SenGuard DIY Sealer Kit is the best solution for sealing granite countertops. The SenGuard sealer should be your first choice if money isn’t an issue.
The package includes an impregnating seal, an instructional DVD, and a one-time seal warranty. You don’t need to be a professional to seal granite.
You can also use the MB Stone Sealer. The seal often lasts far longer and is much more robust than other so-called stone sealers on the market.
When shopping for the best granite sealer, keep the following traits in mind:
• Granite impregnation ability
• The seal’s durability
• Reapplication/maintenance frequency
How to Apply Granite Stone Sealer
Here we share a simple process that will help you seal your granite countertops.
1. Test your granite to see whether it needs sealing.
2. Use acetone or a premium granite cleaner to remove any dirt or residues from the granite countertop.
3. Apply enough sealer on the granite to cover a small, manageable area (not the entire countertop).
4. Using a paintbrush or a clean cloth, apply a thin, equal layer of sealer all over the surface.
5. Allow 2-5 minutes for the sealer to soak into the stone (time depends on the specific stone and sealer).
6. To ensure complete coverage, pour on a little more sealer, spread it around, and let it sit for another minute or two after the thin film of sealer has absorbed and the area has begun to dry.
7. After that, wipe up any leftover sealer with a clean, dry cloth and buff the surface fully dry (essential) to prevent a difficult-to-remove haze after sealing granite countertops.
Additional Granite Counter Sealer Application Tips
Granite must absorb enough sealant to be successful. It will still stain if you don’t do so. As a result, pouring and spreading are significantly more effective than wiping or spraying.
Spraying a little sealer on the surface and then wiping it off (as some people propose online) is utterly ineffective. Even if you use this procedure regularly, it will not seal your counters. The sealing product is a terrible waste of effort and money.
It could work if you spray and spray and spray until you have enough sealer on the surface to form a thin coating. It will give you an excellent forearm exercise or a hand cramp, and it will take you longer to finish than pouring on and spreading.
The same goes for wetting a towel and wiping it around. There isn’t enough sealer applied to the stone surface.
Remember to apply enough sealer to the surface to soak the granite thoroughly. You do it by applying a thin, uniform coat of sealant.
If a haze forms, apply a tiny amount of sealer to the affected area, rub with a cloth, and wipe dry entirely. The longer you wait, or the longer the sealer residue is left to dry and cure, the more difficult it will be to remove the haze.
How To Tell If Granite is Sealed (Water Test)
The water test is a fast and easy technique to verify the seal on your granite countertop. Pour a small quantity of water (about 3 inches in diameter) over different parts of the counter and wait for a response.
If the stone absorbs the water, the granite will become darker. When doing the test, let the water soak for 30 minutes.
If your granite darkens before the 30 minutes are over, you should seal it immediately. The granite either has no stain protection and will absorb cleansers or any liquids spilled on it, or the present sealer is worn down and provides minimal protection.
To avoid stains and dullness, apply a fresh layer of granite sealant straight soon.
If the granite does not discolor after 30 minutes, it has a firm seal that provides good protection. It is entirely normal for a granite sealer to enable water to infiltrate the stone over time, but a puddle of water should take at least 30 minutes to darken.
You can’t over-seal granite or other natural stone, so even if your countertops pass the water test, it is not a bad idea to reseal them.
Many homeowners protect their granite every year. Sealing the stone’s surface ensures long-term resistance to etching, stains, and dirt accumulation.
Once you seal your granite types of kitchen countertops, be sure to clean them periodically with a specially designed granite countertop cleaner and shine them with a safe-on-stone polish.
Granite and other forms of natural stone need regular maintenance, and it’s critical to choose chemicals that won’t damage the stone.
How Often To Seal Granite
Granite is a one-of-a-kind natural stone that is incredibly durable, heat resistant, and simple to clean. If not correctly cared for, granite may discolor and deform over time.
It would help if you sealed granite countertops to prevent losing their visual appeal. The homeowner should maintain it after installation.
You will determine the sealing frequency of granite by its absorbency and porosity. The lighter the stone, the more often you must seal it. However, not all granite surfaces are created equal, and applying sealer regularly or “just to be safe” is not a good idea.
When sealer is applied too quickly and does not have enough time to soak, it may create a haze on the surface that is difficult to remove.
It is advisable to test your granite countertop first to check whether resealing is essential before deciding when to reseal it.
Some professionals may say that you should seal granite countertops every “6-12 months” or “3-5 years,” but there is no hard and fast rule.
See more related content in our article about how to clean granite countertops on this page.
