Honing Questions:

See our Honing Information Page to learn more about honing, filling, unfilled travertine and tumbled travertine stone floors.

Cleaning - Honing - Polishing - Sealing - Grinding

HONING WITH A CUSTOM ABRASIVE PROCESS: The Power Clean System has been specifically designed for Travertine as well as other types of natural stone. We don’t rely on just the standard materials and methods that our competitors use. We’ve tested standard abrasives, powders, and tools that are readily available for Marble. We found that just because it says on the label it works for Marble; it doesn’t always produce a good result for all natural stone.

Our focus has always been to find and use the best resources available to do our job better than anyone. We’ve researched and found abrasives for sanding, powders for polishing, and tools for cleaning intended for other industries that also work very well for finishing & cleaning Travertine, Marble and other types of natural stone. Since Travertine is porous, it is important to use the appropriate abrasive impact to clean and beautify, but not open up more pores in the stone and cause damage.

This is knowledge that comes with experience and paying close attention to results. Our Power Clean System has evolved into an unmatched and highly efficient method that cleans and beautifies Travertine and natural stone like no one else can.

 

Before: New Travertine is dirty and dusty.

  
After: Travertine finished to a clean and clear Custom Medium Shine.


Cleaning

 

Using custom abrasives, we wet sand the stone to loosen up surface dirt and work loose grime and dirt accumulated in the grout lines, open pits, and fill areas. This creates slurry that is vacuumed back with a powerful truck mounted machine.

 

The use of hot water extraction at 1200psi provides for the most effective cleaning method for your stone. Mops, buckets and shopvacs cannot come close to the cleaning power of a truck mounted machine. Effective and thorough cleaning is crucial for a smooth looking uniform finish and proper sealing.

 

Check Out Our Cleaning Videos!

 

 

Foamy slurry created during abrasive processes. The slurry is removed with a high-powered truck mounted vacuum system. By far, the most effective clean up method. Shopvacs and mops/buckets cannot compare!

Our cleaning tool pulling out dirt and grime collected in the pits of the Travertine and the grout lines revealing a much cleaner and brighter floor.

Honing with a custom abrasive process


What does this really mean? A "honed " stone does not mean a “finished” stone.

Our competitors say “honing” is a process to finish stone. Tile retailers refer to a “honed” stone as one that has been “finished” at the factory, suggesting the stone needs no further care or maintenance and will look as beautiful on your floor as does the showroom sample.

We prefer the term “custom abrasive process” because that is far more descriptive and accurate. The custom abrasive process is designed to be the most effective without causing damage by unnecessarily opening up air pockets that turn into holes. We use lower grit levels with more sanding impact which will clean the stone & finish the Travertine to a soft sheen with glowing reflection. What our competitors refer to as a “honed” finish, we describe as a “satin glow finish”.


What a huge difference!
Right side: A supposedly “honed” Travertine after installation. Left side: Our version of “honed” we call a Satin Finish, clean and smooth with subtle reflection.
Polishing


Using finer abrasives, we achieve a very clean, highly reflective, shiny finish. The shine intensity can range from a” custom medium shine” to a very mirror like “high gloss finish.“ The amount of fill (see fill effect photo below), open pores, blade marks will affect the shine uniformity especially when going with shinier finishes. Marble looks its best when finished to a high gloss.

This beveled edge stone is finished to a polish resulting in a dramatic appearance. The dull tile in the center of the photo shows the transformation from dull to shiny.

Fill Effect: The center tile has quite a bit of fill in the Travertine. Filler is usually epoxy or grout inserted in large pits/pores and will not reflect the light the same way the stone will. The shinier the finish on the stone, the more contrast the fill will create. The dark band is a shadow from the windowpane. You can see the sky mirrored in the stone.

Sealing


We use high grade penetrating (impregnating) solvent based sealers. Their function is to absorb into the pores of the stone and fill them up. Tight pores help keep spills on the surface so they won’t soak in. Although penetrating sealers are not bulletproof, they are essential in keeping acidic spills on the surface to prevent acids from eating away the underlying layers. This insures the resulting etch, or dull spot, can be easily buffed out with the proper abrasives. Common liquids containing acids are: citrus, vinegar, wine, soda, some perfumes and medicines.

While topcoat/surface sealers are appropriate for some types of natural stone, they ARE NOT RECOMMENDED for Travertine, Marble or Limestone.

Both photos below are of Travertine with a topcoat sealer full of scuffs. Topcoat/surface sealers scratch and scuff much more easily than the stone itself. They will also flake, peel, and if applied too quickly can trap air bubbles and dirt underneath. This leads to a dirty hazy looking floor which most homeowners are unhappy with in a short time.

The light patch in the middle is where we’ve removed the coating – the first step in restoring this stone.


Grinding


Using the highest impact abrasives (lowest grits) this method is to remove a measurable amount of stone. Uneven tile edges (lippage) can be evened out using this method but not without drawbacks. The ground stone will forever look more “weathered” than the surrounding tiles, permanentaly round edges, and will most likely open up more air pockets (pores). Depending on the density of your stone and severity of lippage, our grinding process is the most efficient available. Replacement is the recommended solution, but not always possible.

Example of “lippage” or uneven edges. High edges can be ground down using abrasives... with caution.

The same Travertine floor after a full grind and then re-buffed to a shiny finish. The edges are much improved and permanently rounded. Grinding also opened the pores up of the stone, making the shine appear grainy.

Example of poor grinding on Travertine: Excessive and uneven grinding technique resulted in wavy stone and also opened up large pits. *This grind was not done by our company.*

Etching


Travertine, Marble and Limestone are all subject to etching. Etches are small scratches that create a dull spot on the stone. Mostly caused by spills containing any type of acid: citrus, wine, alcohol, vinegar, pet accidents all contain acids. Acid eats calcium carbonate found in these stones and the result is an etch. The natural chemical reaction is almost immediate and can vary in severity depending on acid level, how long it sits, and the size. Penetrating sealers guard against the acid from eating through layers of the stone, thereby keeping the etch on top so it can be buffed out again during regular professional maintenance.

Example of large etches on Travertine. Acidic and/or abrasive cleaning agents and methods will also cause etching. Stick to soft cleaning cloths with water or a neutral stone cleaner.

(Abrasives and techniques will vary according to grade, density, porosity and installation of the stone. Travertine, Marble and Limestone have different characteristics, use different approaches, and provide varying results due to being a naturally occurring product)

Satin Glow Finish


A soft subtle sheen for a clean and uniform look. Rids the stone of the dull chalky appearance so common with newly installed Travertine.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER


Custom Medium Shine Finish


This finish is definitely a shine and has a range depending on your shine taste. This finish brings out colors and depth and the true beauty of Travertine. A Medium Shine is often a happy compromise when wanting more than a satiny sheen, but not a full glossy finish.

Before: Travertine in Dental Office Reception. A very high traffic area

After: Restored to a Medium shine, notice how much brighter & shinier the Travertine becomes.
High Gloss Finish


We use the finest abrasives to achieve the glossiest finish possible for your stone. This shine is like turning your floor into a work of art, something to be noticed as much as the art on your walls.

High Gloss Travertine makes for a very elegant foyer.

Outside beauty comes inside with such a reflective Travertine entry

High gloss Travertine flooring highlights the artful shower window