Etching Repair & Stone Surface Restoration

Professional Etch Mark Removal for Marble, Limestone, Travertine & More

What Is Etching?

Etching is chemical damage caused when acidic liquids react with the calcium carbonate inside natural stone.

Common causes include:

• Spilled fruit juice, wine, cola, coffee
• Bathroom products, perfumes or aerosols
• Cleaning chemicals containing acids
• Food acids (tomatoes, vinegar, citrus)
• Even water rings on some polished stones
• Etching dissolves the surface at a microscopic level, leaving:
• Dull, chalky patches
• Rough or matte spots
• “Water mark” rings
• Light white marks
• Loss of clarity or reflection
• Uneven sheen across the floor or worktop

Unlike stains, etching cannot be cleaned off — it must be physically restored.

Stones Affected by Etching

Any calcium-based stone is vulnerable.
We most commonly repair etching on:

• Marble (highly susceptible, especially polished)
• Limestone
• Travertine
• Onyx
• Terrazzo
• Dolomite / Quartzite blends containing calcite

Porcelain, granite and quartz do not typically etch, though they can suffer from other issues.

Etching on Worktops vs Floors

Worktops often show:

• Cup rings
• Splash arcs around sinks
• Dull “clouds” under appliances
• Etched rectangles where chopping boards or bottles sat

Worktops can usually be restored in situ.

Floors often show:

• Tracks or dull pathways
• Circular marks from spills
• Patchy sheen differences
• Etching in bathrooms from cosmetics

Floor repairs require controlled honing and polishing across the affected areas.

Why Does DIY Etch Removal Fail?

Many customers try:

• Cream cleaners
• Vinegar/acid products
• Polishing powders
• Buffing pads

Unfortunately, these often:

• Make the etched area worse
• Create halos
• Remove the protective sealer
• Change the floor’s sheen
• Cause permanent dullness

Professional tools and abrasives are required to restore the stone correctly.

Book an Etch Repair Assessment

If your marble, limestone, travertine or stone worktop has dull patches or chemical marks, we can restore it safely and correctly.



Contact Hampshire Hard Floor Care

• Professional diagnosis
• Clear pricing
• No pressure
• Honest expectations
• High-quality restoration

We can usually provide a rapid estimate from photos.

Our Etch Repair Process

Every surface is different, so we assess each area individually.
Typical methods include:

1. Controlled Mechanical Refining

Removing the damaged upper layer of stone

Using specialist abrasives, diamonds or micro-abrasion pads

Restoring a uniform, smooth surface

Carefully matching the surrounding finish

2. Diamond Honing

Used for matt, satin or low-sheen floors.

Levels the surface

Eliminates dull patches

Produces a consistent, refined finish

3. Polishing to Restore Shine

For polished marble/limestone surfaces.

Gradual multi-step polishing

Rebuilds clarity and reflectivity

Removes haze or “cloudy” areas created by etching

4. Blending & Feathering Edges

Ensures repairs are invisible, not patchy.
A key skill that separates proper restoration from DIY products that leave halos.

5. Sealing & Protection

Once restored, we apply a professional impregnating sealer to help reduce future risk but not prevent.
For kitchen worktops, we can also offer:

• MORE AntiEtch
• TileMaster No-Etch
• Faber Stop Etch

These create a protective barrier that prevents future etching.

Why Choose Hampshire Hard Floor Care?

Richard and Michelle are trusted specialists in stone repair and restoration.

Customers across Hampshire choose us because we offer:

• Advanced stone restoration training
• Approved applicators for AntiEtch, No-Etch & Faber Stop Etch
• Precision honing & polishing equipment
• Work completed by a husband-and-wife team — never subcontracted
• Full insurance, including accidental damage
• Respect for your home with clean, tidy working practices

We treat every stone surface as if it were our own.

Call Richard for free quotation