Quartz countertops can be unforgiving if you don’t know how to clean them properly. Some cleaners can even damage the material beyond repair, so I will help you learn how to easily polish a quartz countertop after cutting.
Did you know what the leading kitchen countertop material is for remodeled homes in the United States? According to Statista, the leading countertop material was quartz (42%), followed by granite in a distant second position.
After cutting quartz, you will need remove any debris or dust with a lint-free cloth, apply a polishing compound, and rinse it off with water. You can then dry it off with a clean cloth and reapply the sealer when necessary.
Continue reading below to learn the actual steps taken.
Table of Contents
- Easily polish a quartz countertop after cutting
- How do you polish the rough the rough edge of a quartz countertop
- How do you polish quartz after sanding
- How do you polish quartz countertops by hands
- What is the best way to polish quartz countertops
- How do you polish a damaged quartz countertop
Easily polish a quartz countertop after cutting
The process of polishing your newly cut quartz countertops is easy.
Here are the steps you should follow.
| Step by Step Guide |
|---|
| Debris or dirt can be removed from the surface with a lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth. |
| Use a circular motion for the polishing compound to prevent lines and streaks. Keep the application as even as you can, repeating the process to achieve the desired finish. |
| Use water to rinse off any excess material on the surface. |
| Use a soft cloth to dry the surface and eliminate water spots and leftover soap residue. |
| Applying a sealer and buffing the surface are optional steps, but you can also do so if you prefer a higher gloss finish on your newly cut quartz countertops. |
| Reapply the sealer every several months to retain the protective barrier on your countertops and make them look new for a long time. |
How do you polish the rough the rough edge of a quartz countertop
No matter the design and color of your quartz countertop, it’s often necessary to polish and grind its rough edge during installation or when repairing stains and chips.
Here’s how to do it.
| Step by Step Guide |
|---|
| Use a hand-held sander with a 200-grit sandpaper pad to sand the edge of your quartz countertop. Apply even and smooth strokes and ensure that you sand all the edges. Wipe off any dust using rags while sanding. |
| Repeat the process with increasingly fine-grit sandpaper pads, finishing with 800-grit paper. |
| Use a damp rag and follow it with a dry rag to clean the quartz countertop and eliminate excess particles produced during sanding. Use a stone polish and a polishing pad to buff your counter. Make sure that the stone polish is meant for quartz surfaces. Instructions on the label of the product should be read carefully. At this point, the quartz edges should look smooth. |
| Tape off your quartz countertop with masking tape and the surrounding surfaces. Seal off the counter with a stone sealant with quartz material. Again, follow the instructions indicated on the sealant’s label. Let the sealant dry for 24 to 36 hours. |
How do you polish quartz after sanding
Follow these steps to polish your quartz countertop after sanding.
| Step by Step Guide |
|---|
| Dust off any particles produced during the sanding process. |
| Scrub off the surface with warm water and soap. |
| After scraping and scrubbing, rinse off your quartz countertop with water. |
| Wipe off the surface with a clean sponge. |
| Apply Windex or a similar window cleaner on the surface of your counter. Just make sure you don’t overspray. |
| Give your quartz countertop one final wipe. |
How do you polish quartz countertops by hands
Polishing quartz countertops by hand is a relatively straightforward process, although it might take some time.
Here’s what you should do:
| Step by Step Guide |
|---|
| Clean the surface of your quartz countertop first with a damp clean cloth to eliminate any dirt, dust, and debris on the surface. |
| Use coarse-grain sandpaper, preferably 200-grit, to shape and smooth the surface of your quartz countertop. Make sure you rub it evenly to guarantee an even finish. |
| Increase the grit with finer-grade sandpaper with 320 to 400 grit. Continue to work on the surface evenly. |
| Once your quartz countertop looks uniform and smooth, you can complete the process with the highest-grade sandpaper with 600 to 800 grit to help you achieve the most polished look. |
| Use a buffing compound or a clean polishing cloth to bring out your quartz countertop’s shine and spark. |
What is the best way to polish quartz countertops
Polishing your quartz countertop is one of the most critical steps in its overall maintenance. However, it’s still best that you clean your counter every day to prevent scratches and marks from forming in the first place.
The good news is that quartz is a strong and durable material that can endure scratches from most items you place on it. All it takes is a bit of care; you can expect your quartz countertop to last several years.
Using a clean microfiber cloth is the first step for polishing quartz surfaces. Never use abrasive pads since these can leave behind ugly streaks and other unwanted marks on your quartz counter.
You can then clean the quartz surface with dish soap and warm soapy water, and vinegar can also be used for more stubborn stains. Rinse off the surface and wipe off any soap residue and water with a clean, dry cloth.
How do you polish a damaged quartz countertop
It’s uncommon for professionally installed quartz countertops to sustain chips and other damage. But if you notice a chip, rough patch, or any other flaw on the smooth surface of your quartz counter, you don’t have to worry because you can quickly repair it with a bit of rough treatment.
If your quartz countertop has a rough spot, use a hand sander with 200-grit sandpaper to buff the area until it’s smooth again. Just make sure that you don’t grind too fast or too rigid. Doing so may result in a dip in the already rough spot that can further affect the overall appearance of the material.
You can also use a commercial product of the same color as your quartz countertop to polish it. You can easily find these products in most local hardware stores and online shops.
However, while it might seem like a good idea to use an additional sealant polish, it might soon result in further buildup and a generally duller surface appearance.
Once you’re done polishing your quartz countertop, you will instantly notice a difference in appearance. Although you don’t need to do this process daily, doing so as often as possible can help you reduce any damage or buildup on the surface of your quartz countertop.
It’s also recommended to keep a spray bottle of mild dish soap and water handy to wipe down your quartz countertop so you can clean them right away once you notice them getting dirtier.
Wipe off dark liquid spills as soon as possible to prevent stains. Use a cutting board and hot pads before you prepare food, and set down pans on your quartz countertop.
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John Thompson, Writer and Commentator
Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the “Felicity Files” and “Spirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World War” (version III). Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both. His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation. To see the entire team at Evolutdesign.com, visit Our Team page.
