While the hardness of quartzite helps it resist etching or scratching, it is still susceptible to staining. Read on to find out exactly how to seal quartzite worktops to ensure the best result for you and your customers!
Before sealing quartzite, it’s imperative to ensure that the surface is completely dry – ideally around one to two days. Obviously, this is often difficult to achieve given time constraints, but trust us, it’s worth the wait!
Once the surface is totally dry (and clean), apply the sealer (we recommend the SafeGuard PRO sealer) to the worktop and spread consistently around the worktop, ensuring every area is covered. Remember that these things tend to go further than you think, so use less to start with and you can always add additional coats. If you put too much sealer on at once, it can leave a residue that’s extremely difficult to get off!
You’ll then want to leave for around 2 – 3 hours until dry. Once dry, we’d recommend going back over it 3 – 4 more times for best results – or until the stone won’t take in anymore and you can see the sealer sitting on the top. Note that SafeGuard PRO is made from solvents, so ensure there is good ventilation whilst applying the sealer and waiting for the sealer to dry.
SafeGuard PRO is a specially formulated impregnating sealer which is suitable for both natural and engineered stone surfaces. Using an impregnating sealer rather than a topical sealer is vital when sealing quartzite as it allows the stone to breathe, minimising the risk of white spots underneath the surface. SafeGuard PRO also penetrates the stone’s capillaries, protecting all areas of the stone and increasing the longevity of the sealer. Topical sealers, whilst they tend to be less expensive, have a lot of silicone content in them, so tend to sit on the surface. If using a topical sealer, you might start to see some black spots over time, which are mould spores.
Quartzite worktops will likely need to be resealed every 12 months or so, as sealants do tend to wear down over time. A good way to tell when the sealer needs refreshing is by looking at damp areas, such as the area around the sink. If the stone appears discoloured (usually darker) in any way, the chances are that you need to reseal it. Note, however, that resealing it isn’t going to make the dark patches magically disappear! Sometimes they go over time as the stone naturally breathes, but this isn’t guaranteed – you’re best to let the area dry out for a couple of days before resealing. It’s also good practice to seal the seams before installation to stop any staining or dark patches around these areas.
Note that whilst sealing quartzite worktops is highly recommended to help prevent staining, if liquids (particularly dark liquids, such as red wine or coffee) are left on the surface for an extended period of time, such as overnight, you may still see some staining due to the porosity of quartzite. However, if this does happen, we supply two products – Oil-Ex and IPS 2000 – which can be used to help remove stains.