Tile Doctor Burnishing Pads Restore a Deep Polish to a Dull and Stained Marble Bar Top at a Mayfair Club in London
We received a request from a prestigious private members’ club in Mayfair to restore a Marble bar top, which was dull and had been left extensively stained with use. Once a stunning centrepiece, the surface had lost its natural sheen and elegance and no longer reflected the grand nature of the establishment.
The club wanted it revived to the high standards expected of such a refined setting and wanted our opinion on what could be done to bring the Marble back to life. Tile Doctor have developed numerous products and methods for dealing with all sorts of Tile, Stone and Grout issues and having worked on Marble worktops before I was confident of producing a good result.
Cleaning and Polishing Damaged Marble Bar Top
The first and most critical step was to conduct a deep clean to remove ingrained dirt, residues, and the effects of unsuitable cleaning products that had etched into the stone over time. To do this Tile Doctor Pro-Clean was applied to the Marble top and left to soak in for ten minutes. This product is an alkaline, multi-purpose cleaner, stripper and degreaser designed specifically for cleaning natural stone surfaces like Marble.
The Pro -Clean was then scrubbed in lightly by hand with a focus on removing alcohol residues, oils and other dirt from the surface before moving on to the next step of honing the stone. The Pro-Clean was wiped away and the surface rinsed with water to remove any remaining residues.
Once the surface was free of dirt and contamination, we moved to the honing stage which further cleans and polishes the stone. We use a set of diamond-encrusted burnishing pads of varying grits for this which slowly and methodically restore a deep shine to the Marble. Work starts with a coarse 400-grit pad that gradually erases scratches, scuff marks, and imperfections that had built up over time. For a Bar Top like this we use smaller 6-inch pads fitted to a rotary hand buffer.
The diamond abrasives are extremely effective at smoothing out the surface while maintaining the integrity of the stone. The grit progression—from coarse to fine—helps refine the surface to a smooth, reflective state, gently bringing the natural polish back without causing further damage.
Sealing a Polished Marble Bar Top
Naturally the management wanted the polished appearance to last as long as possible so the next step was to apply Tile Doctor Shine Powder which adds a deep durable shine. This polishing powder is designed to restore the natural gloss of marble and smooth out surface imperfections. It effectively erased the dull spots caused by alcohol spills, ensuring a smooth, glossy finish and bringing the marble back to its original shine.
With the marble now looking beautifully smooth and polished the last step was to apply a sealer to the stone to protect against stains and spillages. The best product for this was Tile Doctor X-Tra Seal which is an impregnator that soaks in to the stone adding protection from within. It’s externally rates so ideal for surfaces that are often wet and offers a premium high-performance protective seal that will keep the Marble looking beautiful for many years to come.
The result was nothing short of stunning. What was once a damaged stone surface is now a gleaming Marble showpiece that perfectly complements the club’s sophisticated, high-end interior.
The restoration process, though time-consuming and intricate, was well worth it and was completed in time for opening later that day. The owner was thrilled with the transformation, and the Marble bar top once again stood proudly as a focal point in the club.
For aftercare I recommended Tile Doctor Stone Patina Spray which is a spray and buff cleaner that is designed to enhance the natural beauty and lustre of polished stone worktops.
Source: Professional Marble Bar Top Cleaning and Polishing Service near Mayfair Central London