The Ultimate Guide to Granite Polishing: Transforming Your Stone from Dull to Dazzling with Johnson Tools

Introduction: Let’s Talk About Your Kitchen

Hey there! Look at your kitchen counters. Do they sparkle like they used to? Or are they looking a bit tired? Maybe you have noticed dull spots near the sink. Perhaps there is a ring where a wine bottle sat a little too long. It happens to the best of us. Granite countertops are tough, but they aren't invincible.

Life happens. Cooking oils splatter. Lemon juice spills. Daily cleaning with the wrong stuff wears them down. Even the most stunning stone surfaces lose their mojo over time.¹ But here is the good news: you can fix it. Yes, you. You don’t need a construction crew. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars.

With the right tools and a bit of guidance, you can polish granite right at home. You can bring back that deep, mirror-like reflection. It is easier than you think. This guide is going to walk you through every single step. We will chat about the science, the tools, and the tricks the pros use. By the end, you will be a stone-polishing wizard.

Ready to make your kitchen the envy of the neighborhood? Let’s get to work.

Find the best gear at(https://www.johnsontoolscn.com/) to start your project right.

Part 1: Understanding Your Stone – The Science of Granite

Before we grab any tools, let’s get to know our patient. Granite is a rock star—literally. It is an igneous rock. That means it was born from fire and magma deep underground. It is tough. It is dense. But why does it get dull?

The Hardness Factor

Granite is made of minerals. The big players are quartz and feldspar. Scientists use something called the Mohs Hardness Scale to rank minerals.

• Talc is a 1. You can scratch it with a fingernail.

• Diamond is a 10. It is the hardest thing out there.

• Granite sits between 6 and 7.

This is important. Why? To polish something, you need to scratch it with something harder. That is where diamond polishing pads come in. They use industrial diamonds to cut the stone. If you try to use sandpaper (which uses aluminum oxide), you are fighting a losing battle. Sandpaper is barely harder than granite. It won’t cut well. It generates heat. It ruins your finish.

Why Does It Shine?

Think about a frozen lake. When the ice is smooth, it reflects the sky perfectly. If you skate on it, you make cuts. The ice looks white and scratchy. It stops reflecting.

Your granite is the same. Dullness is just millions of microscopic scratches. They scatter light in every direction. When we polish granite, we are swapping big scratches for smaller ones. We do this over and over. Eventually, the scratches get so tiny that your eye can’t see them. The light bounces back straight. That is the high-gloss finish we want.

The Enemy: Chemical Etching

It’s not just scratches. Acids are granite’s kryptonite.

• Lemon juice

• Vinegar

• Wine

• Tomato sauce

These things eat away at the calcium in the stone (if it has calcite) or just weaken the resin in engineered stone. This creates "etching." It looks like a dull, whitish spot. Polishing grinds this damaged layer off to reveal fresh stone underneath.

Part 2: The Gear – Tools of the Trade

You wouldn’t paint a masterpiece with a toothbrush. You need the right gear for this job. Don’t worry; it’s not as scary as it sounds.

The Polisher: Speed Matters

You need a variable-speed polisher or angle grinder. This is non-negotiable.

• Standard grinders spin at 10,000 RPM. That is way too fast! It will burn your stone instantly.

• Polishing grinders run slower. You want to work between 2,000 and 4,000 RPM.

Johnson Tools makes pads designed for specific speeds. Using the right RPM keeps the stone cool. It prevents the resin in the pads from melting.

The Pads: Your Magic Wands

This is where the magic happens. You need a set of diamond polishing pads. They come in different "grits," just like sandpaper.

• 50 - 100 Grit: The bulldozers. They rip off old sealer and grind down deep scratches.

• 200 - 400 Grit: The smoothers. They take away the rough marks.

• 800 - 1500 Grit: The shiners. Color starts to pop here.

• 3000 Grit: The mirror makers. This gives you that wet look.

You absolutely need a full set. Do not buy just one pad. You cannot skip steps! If you jump from 50 to 3000, you will just have a shiny scratched rock.

Wet vs. Dry Pads: The Big Debate

This is the most common question I get. "Should I polish wet or dry?" Let's break it down.

My advice?

If you are working indoors on installed counters, go dry. Managing water runoff in a finished kitchen is a nightmare. Use high-quality Dry Polishing Pads like the JSDP Series from Johnson Tools. They are built to handle the heat.7

If you can take the slab outside, go wet. It is faster and safer for your lungs.

Other Essentials

• Backer Pad: The Velcro holder for your pads. Rigid for flat tops, flexible for edges.

• Microfiber Cloths: You need stacks of these.

• Squeegee: Helps clear the slurry to check your work.

• Masking Tape & Plastic: Protect your cabinets!

• Safety Gear: We will talk about this next. It is crucial.

Need supplies? Check the(https://www.johnsontoolscn.com/contact.html) to find a distributor.

Part 3: Safety First – Don’t Skip This!

Listen to me closely. Granite dust is dangerous.

It contains silica. When you grind stone dry, you create fine silica dust. If you breathe this in, it scars your lungs. This can lead to Silicosis, a permanent lung disease.10

We want pretty counters, not a hospital visit.

Your Safety Checklist

1. Respirator: Not a cheap paper mask. You need an N95 or P100 respirator. It must seal to your face.

2. Safety Glasses: Spinning pads throw grit. Protect your eyes.

3. Gloves: Stone edges can be razor sharp.

4. Ventilation: Open the windows. Put a box fan in the window blowing out.

5. Vacuum: Have a helper hold a shop vac hose near the grinder while you work. It captures 90% of the dust.

Pro Tip: Even if you polish wet, wear the glasses. Slurry spins off the wheel and will find your eye.

Part 4: Preparation – The Calm Before the Storm

You are eager to start grinding. I get it. But wait. Prep is everything.

1. Clean the Slate

Wash the counters with warm, soapy water. Scrub off every bit of dried spaghetti sauce. Use a razor blade to scrape off stuck-on gunk.

Then, wipe it down with acetone or isopropyl alcohol. This strips away old waxes and oils. You want naked stone.

2. Protect Your Kitchen

Imagine gray mud splattering everywhere. That is polishing.

• Tape plastic sheeting over your lower cabinets.

• Cover the backsplash.

• Cover the sink faucet.

• Move the coffee maker and toaster to another room.

• Mask off the sink: If you have an undermount sink, tape the sink rim heavily. You don't want to accidentally grind your stainless steel sink.

3. Inspect the Damage

Run your hand over the surface.

• Feel a snag? That’s a chip. You might need to fill it with cyanoacrylate (super glue) or epoxy before you polish.

• Feel a ridge? That is "lippage" where two slabs meet. Grinding can fix this, but be careful not to dish the stone.

Part 5: The Step-by-Step Polishing Process

Alright, grab your grinder. Let’s make some noise.

We are going to use a 7-Step Process. Don't cheat. Use every grit.

Step 1: The Heavy Lifting (50 Grit)

Attach the 50-grit pad. This is your aggressive tool.

• Goal: Erase acid etching, deep scratches, and flatten the surface.

• Action: Turn the grinder on low (around 2000 RPM). Place it flat on the stone.

• Motion: Move left to right, then up and down. Overlap your passes. Don't press down hard; let the weight of the machine do the work.

• Check: Wipe the dust away. Does the surface look uniformly dull? Are the deep scratches gone? If yes, move on.

Step 2: Refining the Scratch (100 & 200 Grit)

Swap to 100 grit. Repeat the same pattern.

• Goal: Remove the deep scratches the 50-grit made.

• Time: Spend about 2-3 minutes per square foot.

  Next, switch to 200 grit.

• Feel Check: After 200 grit, the stone should feel smooth to your fingertips. The roughness is gone.

Common Mistake: Moving too fast. If you don't spend enough time here, you leave deep scratches behind. They will show up later as "swirl marks".

Step 3: The Honing Phase (400 Grit)

This is the transition.

• Goal: A matte, satin finish.

• Action: Keep your movement steady. Keep the pad flat. If you tilt the grinder, you will dig a gouge (a "burn mark").

• Result: The stone looks smooth but has no reflection yet. It looks like honed granite.

Step 4: Building the Shine (800 & 1500 Grit)

Now it gets exciting.

• 800 Grit: You will start to see a ghost of a reflection. The color of the granite starts to darken and look rich again.

• 1500 Grit: Boom! You have a gloss. You can see blurry reflections of the overhead lights.

• Important: Clean the surface religiously between these steps. A single grain of grit from the 400 pad stuck under the 1500 pad will ruin your day.

Step 5: The Mirror Finish (3000 Grit)

This is the victory lap.

• Goal: High gloss. "Wet look."

• Action: You can speed the grinder up a little bit here (maybe 3000 RPM). The heat helps the chemical bond in resin pads polish the stone.

• Result: You should see your smiling face in the counter.

Step 6: The Secret Weapon (Buffing)

Want to go the extra mile? Use Tin Oxide powder.

• What is it? A chemical powder that reacts with the stone to create a hard, glassy shell.

• How: Mix it with water to make a paste. Put a felt wheel on your grinder.

• Action: Buff the paste into the stone. Let it get warm (but not hot!). Keep moving.

• Why? This gives you that "factory fresh" depth that pads alone sometimes miss.

Part 6: Profiling Your Edges

The top looks great. But what about the edges? Sharp corners chip. You need a profile.

Styles to Choose From

1. Bullnose: The classic round-over. Great for safety. No sharp bits for kids to hit their heads on.

2. Eased: Just slightly rounded. Very modern. Very clean.

3. Bevel: A 45-degree slice. Looks architectural and fancy.

4. Ogee: The S-curve. It looks like expensive furniture. Harder to clean, though.

How to Polish Edges

Polishing edges is tricky because they are curved.

• Use Flexible Pads: Your rigid flat pads won't work here. You need pads that bend.

• The Technique: Wrap the pad around the curve. Polish up and down, following the shape of the edge.

• Don't Linger: It is easy to flatten a round edge if you stay in one spot. Keep moving!.

Pro Tip: For perfect shapes, buy a Diamond Profile Wheel from Johnson Tools. It grinds the shape perfectly in one pass. Then you just polish it.

Part 7: Troubleshooting – When Things Go Wrong

Did something weird happen? Don't panic. We can fix it.

1. The "Haze."

Issue: The granite looks cloudy or milky, even after polishing.

Cause: You likely left old sealer on the stone, or you didn't clean well between grits.

Fix: Scrub it with 0000 steel wool and acetone. If that fails, go back to 400 grit and re-polish.

2. The "Orange Peel"

Issue: The surface is shiny but bumpy, like the skin of an orange.

Cause: You used soft pads for too long, or the stone has soft minerals (mica) that wore away faster than the hard quartz.

Fix: You need to re-flatten the stone. Go back to 100 or 200 grit. Use a rigid backer pad to force the surface flat.

3. Burn Marks

Issue: A dark, discolored circle.

Cause: You held the grinder in one spot too long and burned the resin.

Fix: You have to grind it out. Start over at 100 grit. Keep the grinder moving this time!.

4. Swirls

Issue: You see circular scratches in the sunlight.

Cause: You didn't spend enough time on the medium grits (200/400). You didn't remove the deep scratches from the 50-grit.

Fix: Back to 200 grit. Take your time. Don't rush.

Part 8: Maintenance – Keeping the Shine Alive

You worked hard for that shine. Let’s keep it.

Sealing is Key

Polishing closes the pores, but not perfectly. You need a sealer.

• The Test: Drop water on the counter. Does it darken the stone in 5 minutes? If yes, seal it.

• The Product: Use a penetrating granite sealer. Wipe it on. Let it soak. Wipe it off.

• Frequency: Do this once a year.

Daily Cleaning

Throw away the Windex. Throw away the vinegar.

• Use: Warm water and a drop of dish soap. Or a dedicated pH-neutral stone cleaner.

• Why? Acidic cleaners (vinegar) will eat your polish. Ammonia (Windex) dulls the sealer.

The Olive Oil Myth

Some people say, "Rub olive oil on it!"

Don't do it.

It looks shiny for 10 minutes. Then it gets sticky. Then it attracts dust. Then it goes rancid and smells. It’s a mess. Trust the polish, not the pantry.

Part 9: Cost Analysis – DIY vs. Pro

Is this worth your time? Let’s look at the numbers.

Hiring a Pro

• Cost: $4 to $10 per square foot.

• Average Kitchen: $300 - $800.

• Pros: Easy. They do the work.

• Cons: Expensive. You have to schedule it.

Doing It Yourself (DIY)

• Grinder: $100 (one-time buy).

• Johnson Tools Pad Set: ~$30 - $50.

• Supplies: $20.

• Total: ~$150.

• Savings: Huge. Plus, you own the tools forever. You can polish your bathroom vanities, your floors, and your outdoor table for free.

Verdict: DIY is a massive money saver if you are willing to put in a Saturday afternoon.

Part 10: Why Choose Johnson Tools?

Not all pads are created equal. Cheap pads wear out in minutes. They glaze over. They fall apart.

Johnson Tools is a global leader for a reason.

• Experience: 20+ years making diamond tools.

• Quality: Their JSDP Series is engineered for specific stones. They have specialized resin bonds that don't burn the stone.

• Variety: Whether you need 3-inch pads for tight corners or 5-inch pads for big floors, they have it.

When you are grinding stone, you want tools you can trust. You don't want a pad flying apart at 3000 RPM.

👉 Ready to get the right stuff?

• Visit:(https://www.johnsontoolscn.com/)

• Contact:(https://www.johnsontoolscn.com/contact.html)

• Address: No.11009, Building 8, K-Land Manhattan Square, No.5 Weihua Road, SIP. Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.

• Email: Sales@Johnsontoolscn.com

Conclusion: You Got This!

Polishing granite isn't magic. It is just physics and patience. You take a rough rock, scratch it smaller and smaller, and suddenly, it shines.

By following this guide, you are not just cleaning a counter. You are restoring the heart of your home. You are protecting an investment. And honestly? It is pretty satisfying to turn a dull slab into a mirror.

Remember the golden rules:

1. Safety first. Wear that mask.

2. Don't skip grits.

3. Keep it cool.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a set of Johnson Tools pads, clear off the counter, and get your shine on!

Key Data Tables

Mohs Hardness Comparison

Recommended RPM Speeds

Troubleshooting Guide