Stain removal help

[raymond7m]

We installed a kitchen in November using Avalon White (Moon White); it's an Indian stone that we've had no callbacks in the past.

No issues with install, sealed in shop and again at the customer's house.

In May,I got a call from the home owner. There was a stain that was appearing on the peninsula top. I went and took a look to see what we could do with it. It appears to be a grease stain, but the home owner assured me that they don't cook with grease very often. It is quite a large stain, so I hesitate to confirm that it's grease. Has the coloring, but something tells me it's something else. We've successfully removed stains in the past, from grease to strawberry juice and several things in between, but this one has us baffled.

I've had my guys apply heat with no improvement. We used a poultice of dawn dish detergent, another with bleach and another with acetone. Nothing has improved the stone.

We sealed the tops again after the first stain, and now there are 2 more stains appearing. One to the right of the cook top and one to the right of the sink. All have the same coloring, but the 2 new ones are quite a bit smaller.

Any help would be welcomed at this point. I don't want to keep throwing different solutions at these stains and hope one of them works. As I mentioned, I get the feeling that it could be in the stone and not a stain at all. It almost seems like whatever is happening is below the sealer and not coming from mis-use by the homeowner.

[Dan R.]

The stain by the stove usually would be an oil based from a cooking utensil.
Most likely by the sink also.

Could the stains be from penetration from the edge?

What are using for sealer?
Is the sealer old?
The sealer sounds like it may be compromised.
Try Pro Seal from Tenax.
Easy Stone Care can hook you up. Many sponsors sell this.

[raymond7m]

We use the Cemabond impregnator from Regent.

http://www.regentstoneproducts.com/Prod ... mpregnator

Product was not old; we buy by the gallon and use it until it's gone.

I don't disagree with the marks by the stove and sink. However, the one on the peninsula top is roughly 12"x24"; far too large for a greasy spoon. And the 3 discolorations are consistent. I haven't ruled out pie dough or something similar being rolled on the peninsula. Again, homeowner claims no, but they're not going to take responsibility for anything for fear of being charged. But we've removed grease stains in the past without issue and these are not even getting lighter after multiple treatments.

[Stone Dude]

Do you have any pictures? That would help a lot

[raymond7m]

See attached. Hard to see but on the pic that's further out, the bottom portion is darker than the remainder. It should all be lighter like the top of the pic.

On smaller pic, you can make out the darker stained area a bit better.

[Kowboy]

Dennis:

Is this 3cm or 2cm with underlayment?

[BellaTerra]

Sounds like way to much of a coincidence that it is stained to the right of the sink and right of the stove. That's the first place to have people putting greasy things. It could be that the oil subplanted the sealer and is now being stubborn. Have you tried Mangia Machia? It has worked wonders for us before. Plastic wrap with taped edges for 24 hours, lift one corner for 24 hours, clean off. It may take a few applications but it's great stuff. Then I would recommend ProSeal and tell them to wipe up any oil immediately.

[Mitch@ASW]

If 2cm with substrate, could be silicone bleed-through from the underside....

[Stone Dude]

Mitch, I usually will advise to make your own poultice, but it seems you have gone through a few already.

How long were those poultices allowed to sit each time?

I have a oil and grease stain remover if you want to try something else: http://www.easystonecare.com/Ready-To-U ... /stain.htm

[Teef]

I have seen New Caledonia stained so bad that when I moved the microwave it looked like a completyly diffenet stone. I have seen river white do this also. People wipe the counters after dishes with the same dirty greasy cloth. this is what happened to the stains l have seen like this. I know in our business the homeowner never does anything to the countertops. Chips stains and cracks just happen. I would see if that is where they do all the prep. Thant being said the poultice, any of those should have had some affect.