Tips For Sealing Your New Granite Countertops
Are you planning on having granite countertops installed in your new kitchen because you absolutely love the look of them? If so, it will be important to seal the surface of the granite if you want to maintain its looks over the years. Here are some tips for sealing granite countertops on your own.
Test The Current Seal
The first thing you'll want to do is test the granite material to see if it needs to be sealed. The easiest way to do this is to put some water on the surface of your countertops and see how it reacts. If the water sits on top of the surface of the countertop then you know that the countertop is sealed. However, if it absorbs into the natural stone then you know that the surface needs a new coat of sealant.
Clean The Surface
Next, you'll need to clean the surface of the granite material to ensure that nothing is on the surface. Use a natural stone cleaner that you can spray across the surface and let soak in so that it can work, then follow up by wiping down the surface with a clean cloth or paper towel. That's all it should take to clean off the surface.
Wear Protective Material
The granite sealant can be quite dangerous if it is exposed to your skin or eyes, so you will want to wear protection before you apply the sealant. Be prepared to wear protective eye wear and latex gloves so that it does not come in contact with sensitive areas of your body.
Apply The Sealant
Always read the directions for the granite sealant you use, since everyone can be different with how it is applied. However, most work in a very similar manner. Apply a small amount of granite sealant to the surface of your countertops and use a brush to spread it over the surface. Always make sure that you work in small sections because of how quickly the sealant can dry. The sealant will need to set in for a specific amount of time according to the directions before you can continue. Then you can use a microfiber cloth to wipe off the excess amount of sealant that is still on the surface. Use a gentle motion to buff the surface to get rid of any haze in the sealant.
Wait At Least An Hour
Now that the sealant is applied, you should wait about an hour until you use your countertops again. This will ensure that the sealant is completely dry and will not get into any food that you put on the surface.