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Re: Polishing marble with a Challenger

I have no pictures at this time, but the results I obtained in my first effort compare favorably what you can find at some of the websites of companies selling/distributing these pads.
http://www.ecostonesolutions.com.
http://www.monkeypads.com
http://www.htc-usa.com
An Italian company called Klindex also has their own version of these. Try Googling them.

Re: Polishing marble with a Challenger

Correction: the htc website info in my earlier post is incorrect. It should be www.htc-twister.com.

Re: Polishing marble with a Challenger

The kitchen referred to in my first post above was just a demo for the customer while I did a T&G job at their home. It also gave me an opportunity to try my hand at these pads. They were happy enough with the results in a limited area to invite me back to do the entire kitchen, which I did yesterday. When I did the demo, I had not added any weight to my Challenger. To do the actual job, I went out and bought 20 more pounds of runners weights, and attached a total of 25 pounds to the base of the shaft. While it didn't greatly improve my results, I think it did give me just a bit more shine that I'd achieved during the demo. The job was a total of 152 s.f., which I had agreed in advance to bill at $2.50/s.f., which is just about half of what marble refinishing is billed at in most areas. The job took just under 4 hours, and 152 s.f. x 2.50 equals $380. The customers were so pleased they wrote the check for an even $400.
So the potential for refinishing marble, limestone or travertine floors at market rates is around $200 per hour. It may be more, as I took the time to use all 7 pads - from the lowest honing grit to the highest polishing grit. I think once I get more of a feel for the actual condition of the stone floor's finish, I'll be able to skip some of the lower grits. Plus, after every grit step, I went over the entire floor with the Challenger and a damp terrycloth pad, in order to remove the residue from the previous (coarser) grit. You are supposed to remove this before going on to a higher grit, so as not to scratch the floor with any leftover coarse grit. I think it might be both quicker and more effective to perform this step with a small portable extractor.

Re: Polishing marble with a Challenger

Mark have you done anymore marble polishing jobs?

have you learned any new methods?

i've had several clients asking if we clean and polish marble.

thanks
mike

Re: Polishing marble with a Challenger

This is easily the slowest end of my business. I have had a few customers ask about doing bathroom vanity tops, but I have declined to try one of these until I can find one to practice on first.