Also known as reconstituted stone which is typically used for bench tops, flooring and wall cladding, artificial stone offers a high level aesthetic quality and durable surface finish. Even tough and durable, artificial stone is no exception and it can be scratched, stained, or chipped. This article will detail the steps required to properly repair artificial stone surfaces.
Types of Artificial Stone
Engineered or composite stone surfaces, such as artificial stone, are largely composed from quartz, polymer resins, and pigments. Exciting choices include popular brands such as Silestone, Caesarstone, and Zodiaq, which provide a variety of patterns and colors designed to look like real granite.
Common Damage and Repair Fixes
Scratches and Small Chips:
Comments: To remove light scratches, you may get good results with a 200- to 400-grit fine sandpaper. A color-matched epoxy or resin can be used for smaller chips.
Usage: Lay down a small amount of epoxy with some overlap onto the chip, level with surface. Remove any additional excess before it sets, so you can sand it less.
Stains:
Cleaning: stains on the artificial stone can be easily removed with a paste of baking soda and water. Spread the paste onto the mark, let it sit for a couple of hours, and then gently scrub and rinse.
To Prevent:Sealing: Though there is no need of regular sealing for quartz-based engineered stone, but sealing can be helpful to prevent most stains by using coasters and wiping up any spills quickly.
Cracks:
Heavy Repair: As we imply, you need to leave it to the pros to fix significant cracks in the artificial stone. Experts can use adhesives along with the same stones in a matching color to fill in more profoundly damaged areas to help hide the damage.
DIY Repair Kit Usage
Some manufacturers have their own DIY repair kits only made for this product. These kits usually include:
Color-matched epoxy or resin
Finishing tools
Detailed instructions
By following the manufacturer's instructions carefully, this will help blend the repair with the original surface.
Professional Repair Services
For any damage that goes beyond the scope of this, you most definitely want to have a professional touch it. This may require the use of professional tools and materials that are a step above what the average consumer can find, but, in the right hands, will make the repair to the surface practically invisible.
Repairing artificial stone is definitely doable, and when handled properly, your stone surfaces can remain beautiful and sturdy for a lifetime. Knowing the properties of your artificial stone will allow you to perform proper care and treatment of the surface at the right time, even if you will be able to cope with small defects on your own without the participation of specialists, or it is better to turn to specialists for help in solving more difficult tasks for your household.
If you would like more information on how to reparar piedra artificial, and espicially in cases of the most severe damage, you might want to browse through professional guidance and resources online so as to keep your installations looking good for many years to follow.