Are used as quick fixes and are more of a problem than a solution. These coatings prevent the stone from "breathing" and may yellow light colored stones, and the chemicals used for stripping the coatings off can damage the floor. These finishes are no answer to imperfections in a stone floor and in the long run may only exacerbate problems. The best approach is to not use coatings at all.

Polishing powder is applied with a buffing machine to bring out a mirror like shine. This is a good regular maintenance choice. Periodic honing and polishing by a floor maintenance contractor will maintain the luster and more importantly, significantly inhibit re-soiling and deterioration. Mechanical honing with fine screens creates a smooth surface, followed by buffing to a polished finish with slightly abrasive putty and synthetic felt or wool pads. This may be done monthly or quarterly, depending on the wear the floor receives and the quality of finish the congregation desires. Daily in-house maintenance is crucial to the durability of the polished finish and saves money by reducing deterioration and the need for more extensive professional treatment.

Is the most durable polishing method and is also the only choice for restoration. This method involves grinding the floor down with commercial grade diamond abrasive pads. Successively finer pads are used to bringing out a mirror like shine. If a marble floor is scratched, deeply soiled, or has a build-up of yellowed wax or discolored sealers, the luster and natural color can be restored by wet sanding and chemical stripping. Sanding is followed by honing and polishing. Repeated heavy sanding can noticeably wear down a floor, producing visible depressions; thus it is best to avoid the need (and the expense) of this procedure by maintaining the polished finish.

The loss of polish on stone floors is mostly caused by dust, dirt, sand and other fine particles scratching the surface from foot traffic. Removing the dust and dirt from the floor will help keep this scratching to a minimum. The less scratching that occurs, the less frequently polishing or restoration will be needed. A good quality cotton mop works best. Do not over wet the floor, light damp mopping is all that is needed. If grout lines start to darken scrub well and wet vacuum out debris.

Make certain that the cleaner you use has a neutral pH of seven. High alkaline or mild acidic cleaners can dull or damage the finish, particularly "no streak" cleaners. Although they may be neutral pH seven, some contain "Chelates" which dissolve or destroy calcium in the water and eliminate hard water deposits. Since marble and some stone contain a large amount of calcium, these cleaners attack the finish on stone floors.

Test: Drop a small amount of the concentrated cleaner in an inconspicuous location and let it sit for 5-10 minutes then wipe up. If the spot is dull then the cleaner is not neutral and will etch your floor.