We, SLS INDIA GRANITES, are doing all types of polish finishes on Granite. This Post aims to help our viewers to introduce the variety of finishes done on Granite stone.
NATURAL
The natural finish is basically the absence of treatment. The stone is sold as extracted from the quarry, once cut into the desired format. The final look depends entirely on the characteristics of the stone and its exploitation. This finish is appropriated for cladding and cobblestones.
MIRROR POLISHED
Stones are polished by repeated application of abrasive treatments. This technique produces a shiny surface, with almost zero porosity, while improving resistance. Polished finish highlights the color and properties of the natural stone. It is commonly used as interior wall and floor dressing, as well as bench tops and in kitchen countertops. It is not recommended for outdoor paving, since it reduces slip resistance.
Polished finished is much like an inherent part of stone processing and is done on almost all countertop surfaces to make it smoother. Similarly, this finish is pretty much common in floorings too.
At stone processing facilities, polish is done through a grinding and buffing process that is meant to give the stone surface a glossy, slippery finish. The stone slab passes through a range of polishing wheels with attached abrasive pads. These pads are used to apply pressure on the stone, grinding and buffing polishing the stone surface. The pad intensity is measured in grits and starts at 50 grit, and reaching up to 3,000 grit to attain the desired gloss.
Applications – Countertops, Flooring
LAPATRO/ LAPATO FINISH GRANITE STONE
The term ‘Lepatora is known to have its origin in Italy. To yield Lepatora finish, the granite surface is first grinded by using an abrasive to remove the polish. Then, scratches on the stone are removed by using other stone abrasives. Then, different stone brushes of numbers 26, 60, 80, 120, 240, 320, and 500 are used in the leather finish. After this, three more special stones of numbers 800, 1500, and 3000 are used to attain an eventual stone finish which is a mix of muted and gloss, and less shiny. The granite tiles / slabs are brushed, polished and again brushed for a combination of polished and again brushed for a combination of polished and honed finish. Lepatora finish granite features a granular worn-out but extremely stylish look. The surface is non-slippery and quick to clean.
Applications – Countertops, Steps, Vanities, and Outdoor applications
FLAMED
This finish is characterized by a bit bumpy stone surface. The finishing process also alleviates the stone finish to some shades, leading to a more faded, rustic, and lighter look.
As its name indicates, this finish is achieved by exposing a high-intensity flame to the stone surface, which causes the surface to spurt and become coarse. It is an ideal finish for outdoor applications where a non-slip surface is required. This finish is achieved by exposing the surface of the stone directly to a high temperature flame. Flamed finish generates a thin roughness and protects the material for outdoor installation.
Ideal Applications – Outdoor kitchen, Exterior walls, and Paving
ANTIQUE FINISH
Antique process uses brushes that move across the stone surface removing the softer
stone material while leaving the harder more dense material behind. This produces a unique, matte texture. If we start from an unpolished or honed surface to achieve antique, make sure all of the heavy scratches are removed. If we begin with a polished surface, then remove the polish down to a 120 grit level. Stones that have a tight grain like absolute black may need to be flamed to open the grain and allow the antiquing process to occur.
Antiquing brushes, must run at a slow speed and with very light pressure. Increased pressure does not speed the process; it only wears the brushes faster. Start the process with the 36 grit brushes; run as many passes as necessary to achieve the desired look. Then follow up with the remaining grits to the 300 grit level. At this point apply an enhancer such as Ager to the surface for a finished look or continue to the 600 grit level.
LEATHER FINISH
A leather finish is obtained by a process of brushing the slab with a range of brushes. The result is a slightly undulating surface, very soft, warm and smooth to the touch. Only a few materials are sourced with this finish such as granite. Leathered granite is not naturally occurring. The leathering process is a lengthy and difficult procedure. To achieve this unique look, the surface of a typical piece of granite is run over with diamond tipped brushes multiple times. This strips away any imperfections, but keeps the natural grooves and contours.This is the main reason why the intensity of the texture will vary across leathered granite slabs. It is purely up to the fabricator how far they want to take the process. Preferred Applications – Bar tops, Bathrooms, Fireplace covers, and Custom-designed tables
Comments