Polished granite has a smooth, shiny surface.
The manufacturer cuts and polishes the granite slab before delivery, and the installer cuts and polishes the granite again if needed before installation. Still, the edges are sometimes missed, or do not get the attention that the top of the granite receives. The unpolished, or underpolished, surface appears dull and uneven. You can polish your granite edge yourself in just one afternoon.
Instructions
1. Put on a respirator mask, safety glasses, leather work gloves and insert ear plugs into your ears.
2. Attach a 50 grit diamond pad to an automatic hand grinder. Attaching a pad to a grinder is a slightly different procedure for each tool, but most simply snap into place on the front of the tool.
3. Press the grinder to the granite edge and turn it on.
4. Move the grinder from left to right and back along the edge of the granite several times. Use little to no pressure, allowing the grinder to do the work or you may end up with an uneven edge. Turn the grinder off and wipe the edge with a cloth.
5. Remove the 50 grit diamond pad and replace it with a 200 grit diamond pad. Press the grinder to the edge and turn the power on. Move the grinder from left to right several times along the edge of the granite. Turn the grinder off and wipe the edge to evaluate the progress on the edge.
6. Continue polishing the granite edge in the same manner with a 400, 800, 1500 and then a 3000 grit diamond pad until you achieve a smooth, shiny surface.
