Shadow Storm Quartzite

[Quartzite bob]

We just had this installed last week. I left a glass of water on it Saturday while I washed my car. 40 minutes. I came back to a pretty bad water ring. Scared me to death but it did go away in about a hour. My heart can't take this. Installer used GranQuartz impregnator. Poured on the wiped off. Is that good enough? Seems to me a sealer need a minute to penetrate. I looked it up on line and it also says not for use on stones with high calcium. Isn't that me? Should I call him back or is their a better product I should buy and do it myself. I would like to leave water rings behind. I can imagine how that would look during a parts.. I read on here about Pro Seal??

[Dan R.]

Pro Seal.
Couple coats should do it.
Some stones need myltiple applications. Aealer ness time to sure after each application, typically 24 hours.

[Joe Durfee]

Aealer ness time

I'm usually pretty good at translating Riccolo to English, but this one has me stumped.

[Darryl Miller]

Pro Seal.
Couple coats should do it.
Some stones need myltiple applications. Aealer ness time to sure after each application, typically 24 hours.
[

Translation: Some stones need multiple applications. Sealer needs time to cure after each application

[Quartzite bob]

Is the consenses to not ask them to apply a second coat of the GQ produc If so, do I need to remove or do any prep work??t but to do the Proseal instead, myself?

[Mark Meriaux]

1) Shadow Storm is NOT likely a true quartzite, but rather a dolomitic marble that exhibits some quartz-like properties (it may even have pockets or streaks of quartz throughout). Here's a great article from geologist Karin Kirk with an explanation:
http://usenaturalstone.com/definitive-guide-quartzite/

2) Impregnating sealers are not like paint or coatings. The solids that protect against staining do their job just below the surface level of the stone. High quality sealers tend to have more solids in them, and different brands are typically compatible, as long as they are allowed to fully cure between applications. A sealer with fewer solids may need more applications to be effective.

3) Be aware that while your Shadow Storm may be more durable than most white marbles, it is still susceptible to etching caused by acidic liquids (citrus, vinegar, etc.). No sealer protects against etching. Also, be aware that your countertops may be also susceptible to light scratches from metallic or abrasive objects.

[Alex DiPietro]

Yes. Shadow storm is brazilian marble

[Quartzite bob]

I am a little surprised. It has a lot of quartz specks glittering through out

[Dan R.]

Aealer ness time

I'm usually pretty good at translating Riccolo to English, but this one has me stumped.
[

Durf, I wish I could say that I typed it @ 3:00 am on my phone. But, alas, the sausage fingers was not the reason for this butcher job. 50 thousands things trying to get done @ once. Sorry for the literary gumbo.

Thanks Darryl, you hit it right on the nose. You may want to worry, that your mind works like mine.

[Alex DiPietro]

I am a little surprised. It has a lot of quartz specks glittering through out
[

These specs are actually calcite. Many places mis-represent this material.

[Caleb]

X2 on Brazilian Marble. It's a really nice material and we cut it pretty regularly with no complaints, so far.

Also cutting a slab of grey goose aka super white 'quartzite' (marble) this week.

[Darryl Miller]

You may want to worry, that your mind works like mine.
[

Oh crap!!

[Darryl Miller]

And yes, Shadow Storm is a Brazilian marble. It does not etch as easily as the Italian marbles, but treat it as such. Remember what Mark pointed out, NO sealer will prevent acid etching. I tested this material myself the first time we worked with it. It did not etch very bad. But my customer was made aware of the potential before proceeding with the job.

[Quartzite bob]

I read a side by side test of several sealers on here that said "Tenax Hydrex" was the ONLY one that didn't absorb the water at all, overnight. It seams that every now says use Proseal. Is their a consensus? And again, would you just put that over the GQ they did a pour on rub off with or make them comeback and do a second coat the right way? We will always have glasses of water on it? You guys have all been a tremendous help and I appreciate the replies..

[Mark Meriaux]

different brands are typically compatible, as long as they are allowed to fully cure between applications.

Use whatever sealer you feel most comfortable with. Allow it to fully cure (24-48 hours) between multiple applications.

• Apply a liberal application of the sealer (entire surface is wetted).
• Allow to dwell for 10-15 minutes.
• Remove excess sealer with a dry cloth or towel.
• Allow to fully cure.
• Test for absorption.
• Re-apply as needed until water beads and absorption is barely noticeable.

NOTE: Even the best sealers shouldn't be considered "bulletproof", but they allow you ample time to clean up spills before severe damage is caused.

[Dan R.]

I read a side by side test of several sealers on here that said "Tenax Hydrex" was the ONLY one that didn't absorb the water at all, overnight. It seams that every now says use Proseal. Is their a consensus? And again, would you just put that over the GQ they did a pour on rub off with or make them comeback and do a second coat the right way? We will always have glasses of water on it? You guys have all been a tremendous help and I appreciate the replies..
[

The Hyrdex is a water based sealer. The ProSeal is a solvent based. Pro Seal is a more effective overall sealer for kitchen countertops, imo.

Water absorption is temporary, thus not the highest priority of protection, imo. The PRoseal will guard more effectively against kitchen oil based stains.

[Quartzite bob]

That helps. Should I consider water rings temporary then? I talked the stone company in to coming back tomorrow for a recoat. Stay tuned..

[Dan R.]

Properly sealed stone will not have water rings, regardless of the sealer used.

[Quartzite bob]

They resealed it. I had to force them to read the directions on the GC. They then let it set 15 minutes, added a little then wiped it off. It is quite a bit better. Let me ask this. Before the stone looked a little like a car does with water spots. After the second sealing it is worse. He said all sealer does that?? 2nd, how often do I reseal if it is brazilian marble and what is good for daily cleaning? I assume cleaner polish is a no no including GQ's.

[Dan R.]

I have never seen spotting after sealing. The spots may be residue from the carrier in the sealer. Simply rehydrate and wipe clean immediately. The sealer may have sat a little to long and gelled a bit.

A good sealer will last for a many years. When you repeal it, buy a quart and not too much as it does have a shelf life (that will probably expire before you need it again).

Buy a pH neutral cleaner. I would suggest to stay away from cleaners with additives like sealer, polish disinfectant, as these tend to sit on the stone and create a build up crud over time.

Clean stone should be like clean glass, you should be able to skip your thumb across a clean, dry piece of stone. If you do get a build up, for whatever reason, acetone will clean your tops of any build up safely.


There are many cleaners available professionally. One that is readily available @ HD is ZEP. It is inexpensive and one of the best cleaners that is widely available.

[Quartzite bob]

You can't feel the spots. It feels smooth. Just looks like millions of little water ring/spots like on a car that wasn't dried.

[Quartzite bob]

I mean if you bend over and look down the surface with the light on it. Then you see it. The installer said the sealer does it. The GQ.

[Dan R.]

Sealer does not do that. It sounds like it is etched, which mean, you may not have received quartzite (as Quartzite does not etch).

Pics would be helpful

[Quartzite bob]

I guess the Shadow Storm is really Brazilian Marble as others said. I put ketch up the cutting board and red wine. Both etched it. The wine was left overnight but the ketchup only an hour. I tried to take a pic but the overall surface pics you just can't see what I say looks like water spots on a car. I will say that you barely noticed after they origanally sealed it but the second coat made it much worse. Much. I read somewhere that GQ MAY etch Marble. Thoughts? Seems clearly sealer related. Remember also that the installer said when it is first buffed the marks aren;t there it is the sealer making the pours show... I guess when i recoat it willl be pro seal

[Quartzite bob]

From the GQ website..... NOTE: This product may cause slight etching on polished surfaces such as marble, limestone, travertine, terrazzo and other calcium containing stone. mHmmmmmDan, can I text you some pics. Maybe you can tell. If it were black instead of white it would look like it were left out in the rain and dried in the sun