Polishing Quartz Kitchen Countertop

DIY WoodWerx

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Mar 31, 2017
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Have a quartz kitchen countertop and wanted to clean it up and bring back some of the shine it originally came with.  Is there a recommended sander and pad along with polish I can use?  Currently have a Pro5, ETS EC 125, and RTS 400 sander.  Will I need a rotex?
 
In my experience with quartz any dulling of the surface is much more likely a buildup of contaminants and not likely to be damage to the surface as quartz is extremely hard.  Thorough cleaning will usually restore the surface appearance while oils and polishes are more likely to leave a dulling residue behind.
 
Typically polishing stone is done with rotary tools and the type of pads Cheese linked.  In terms of Festool, that means a RAS or Rotex.  In terms of non-Festools, it means something like a Makita 5001c or even angle grinder with a spray bottle of water.  Since you’re looking at the final polish step rather than running through all the grits, you might be able to get away with a random orbit sander that you already have.  Use the finest diamond pad and water, and remember to plug into a GFCI. 
 
In the spirit of trying the cheapest, easiest thing first, you may want to try apple cider vinegar (not apple cider "flavored" vinegar, check the label).  Spray it on until it puddles, then let it set for ten minutes before wiping it off.

i have been called to "fix" solid surface and quartz countertops that were "defective."  The first time, just on a hunch, I brought a bottle of ACV.  When i showed the store manager that it was scale buildup, and not an issue with the countertop, he asked if they could use Lime Away or CLR.  I told him he could, if he wanted to pay $30 a gallon, but ACV is like $6.

I have never tried to dry polish quartz.  I can't imagine it would go well, as the acrylic binder can heat up and discolor.  Even the heat from dry cutting faucet holes on site can change the color of the edges of the hole, but it gets covered with a faucet.
 
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