Topical coating is an application of natural or synthetic waxes, acrylics, urethanes and epoxies over the marble floor. The majority used today are composed of acrylics. Such applications usually call “maintenance of marble surfaces”.

In actuality, topical coating is simply replacing the polished marble floor with a film of reflective and shiny plastic polymers, which are designed to wear and be refinished over time. In reality, this is a system of maintaining the plastic, not the stone. It is a finish designed to gradually wear under traffic or what is referred to in the industry as a “sacrificial coating”. The plastic finishes many times contain chemicals that further damage the stone. The strippers and harsh pads used periodically to reduce the finishes and replace the glossy surface also do mechanical damage to the underlying stone.

Marble is a metamorphic rock resulting from the metamorphism of limestone. Metamorphism can be defined as the solid state recrystallization of pre-existing rocks due to changes in heat and/or pressure and/or introduction of fluids. This metamorphic process causes a complete recrystallization of the original rock into an interlocking mosaic of calcite and/or dolomite crystals.

What does this mean to the marble floor owner? Marble is one of the softest stone flooring products on today’s market, however it is one of the most popular choices due to its natural beauty. Marble is highly porous. So it is very easily etched by acids such as orange juice, tomato juice, and vinegar.

The deep shine we see on polished stone is achieved by rubbing the stone with a series of abrasive materials. The process is very similar to sanding a piece of wood. The stone is rubbed with a coarse abrasive grit, followed by finer and finer grits until the stone becomes smooth. The scratches left behind from one grit are removed by the next, creating finer and finer scratches. The process continues until the scratches are microscopic. The shine on the stone is achieved by abrading the surface to the point at which it becomes extremely smooth and starts to develop some reflectivity. The shine on the stone is thus a product of optics. This same optical property can be observed on a pond. When the wind is blowing and the surface of the pond is wavy, it becomes difficult to see a reflection; when the air is still and the pond is calm, a deep reflection can be observed. So in order to achieve a deep shine on your stone all that really needs to be done is to smooth it until it shines.

The amount of traffic that takes place over your marble floors may also make a difference in the marble polishing process, especially when it comes to how often you will require it. Even with regular maintenance, it is the small abrasions and slight wear of high amounts of foot traffic that build up over time and then cause natural pathways on your marble floor to look dull or less beautiful in comparison to other areas.

Here are some valuable Maintenance Tips for your Marble:

• Protect the floor with a premium penetrating sealer to reduce etch marks and prevent stains and moisture from filtering into the marble. To apply the sealer properly, call a professional stone care company. Traffic areas should be resealed on a yearly basis.

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