Surface restoration

After slabs are cut from the stone block, they’re sent to specialized centers where they undergo several mechanical processes designed to transform the slab’s face into the desired commercial finish.

This processing starts with grinding the surface and continues, through various stages, up to polishing it to the desired level of shine. In the end, this level is precisely measured with a glossmeter. Up to the polishing stage, the surface is processed using grinding pads. Pads are discs of various diameters, fitted with stones or abrasive materials of different grits. These are mounted on special machines used to do the grinding.

In practice, work starts with a coarse grit, aimed at a first grinding pass that smooths the surface without creating cracks or splitting it. Pads are then swapped as the grit gets finer, gradually smoothing the stone surface, which becomes shinier and shinier. Pads come in different colors based on grit, to distinguish between grinding levels. Water is used throughout the process, since stone processing, like cutting, is done in the presence of water. After each stage, leftover residue and water on the surface are removed with specialized industrial vacuums.

The final, fine-grit pads finish the surface and bring it to the desired level of shine. Once the desired finish is achieved, the surface is sealed.