Polish Stone Countertops: 400?800?1500?3000 Wet Sanding

Granite, quartz, and engineered stone counters can lose shine from wear, scratches, or improper cleaning. Instead of replacement, restore gloss with a progressive wet sanding ladder: 400 ? 800 ? 1500 ? 3000, followed by polish. This evens the surface, removes damage, and brings stone back to a reflective finish.

Why Wet Sand Stone

Stone surfaces are dense but still scratchable. Sanding smooths out damage, while water keeps dust down and prevents overheating. Each grit step refines scratches from the previous, preparing the surface for a clean polish. Stopping too coarse leaves haze; going too fine too fast wastes time.

Tools & Materials

• 9×11 in wet/dry sandpaper sheets: 400, 800, 1500, 3000 grit
• Random-orbit sander with foam interface pad or sanding block
• Spray bottle with water
• Microfiber towels
• Stone polishing compound or paste
• Buffing pad or felt wheel
• PPE: respirator, gloves, eye and ear protection

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 400 grit — Removes scratches, chips, and dull spots.
• 800 grit — Refines scratches, begins clarity.
• 1500 grit — Smooths surface to satin finish.
• 3000 grit — Pre-polish clarity before compound.

Step-by-Step: Countertop Polishing

1. Clean thoroughly. Remove all dirt and residue. Grit left behind will scratch during sanding.
2. Sand at 400 grit. With 400 grit (25-pack), wet-sand damaged areas until scratches and chips fade.
3. Refine at 800 grit. Switch to 800 grit (50-pack). Sand evenly in overlapping passes with water.
4. Smooth at 1500 grit. Step to 1500 grit (100-pack). Work until surface feels silky and looks uniformly satin.
5. Finish at 3000 grit. Move to 3000 grit (25-pack). Sand lightly until surface looks nearly glossy.
6. Polish. Apply stone polish with buffing pad or felt wheel. Work in small sections until high gloss returns.
7. Seal. Finish with penetrating stone sealer for stain resistance.

Special Cases

Deep chips: Fill with epoxy before sanding.
Quartz composites: Require lighter pressure—resin binders burn with heat.
Marble: Softer stone; start finer (800 grit) if only light haze present.

Pro Tips

• Keep surface wet—stone dust is hazardous and clogs paper.
• Sand in alternating directions each grit to ensure uniform scratch removal.
• Don’t skip grits—scratches left at 400 show through polish.
• Replace paper often; stone is abrasive and dulls grit quickly.
• Seal counters every 1–2 years to protect gloss and prevent staining.

Aftercare

• Clean with pH-neutral cleaners only—avoid acids and bleach.
• Use trivets and pads to avoid scratches and heat marks.
• For touch-ups, re-sand localized areas 1500 ? 3000, then re-polish.

FAQs

• Can I use dry sandpaper? Not recommended—stone dust is hazardous and dry sanding scratches deeper.
• Why stop at 3000 grit? Because polish/compound takes over from there.
• Do I always need sealer? Yes—for stain resistance, even polished surfaces absorb liquids.
• What about granite vs quartz? Same grit ladder works, but adjust pressure—granite is harder, quartz is resin-sensitive.

Video: Stone Countertop Polishing

Closing: Stone counters regain showroom shine with a 400 ? 800 ? 1500 ? 3000 grit wet sanding ladder plus polish. Done carefully, this process erases years of wear and keeps your kitchen centerpiece gleaming.