Can scratches be buffed out of marble?

Light ones may improve with a polishing powder. Deeper scratches need professional honing to keep the surface even.

Can you fix scratches on engineered quartz?

Small scratches can sometimes be buffed using the maker's approved method. Deep damage is limited by the factory finish, so we'll tell you whether repair or replacement makes more sense.

Will polishing powder fix worn paths on a floor?

Rarely. Honing the worn paths, then polishing the whole floor, gives an even result.

Should scratches be fixed before sealing?

Yes. Sealing scratched stone locks in the dull finish.

Fine lines worn into the finish

Surface Scratch Repair

Fine lines and scuffs from grit, knives, and dragged furniture, smoothed out and polished to match the rest of the stone.

Get my free quote Call (905) 270-2959

No obligation · We reply within one business day

Fine scratch lines across the prep area of a polished marble countertop

What is happening

A scratch is a fine groove worn into the surface. Soft marble shows knife and grit marks quickly. Granite and quartzite resist scratching better, but still mark under scouring pads or a dragged appliance.

What to look for

Signs of scratches

01
Fine white or dark lines across a counter or floor
02
Scuffed patches where something heavy was dragged
03
A sandpaper feel on a counter that used to be glossy
04
Walking paths duller than the rest of the floor

Common causes

What causes it

Cutting on the stone

Knives scratch marble and limestone easily. Even ceramic plates can mark soft stone.

Grit

Sand and salt under mops, rugs, and shoes act like sandpaper.

Scouring pads and powders

Scouring powders, magic erasers, and coarse pads strip the polish.

Dragging heavy items

Appliances, planters, and metal chair legs.

Before you DIY

Mistakes that make it worse

Buffing one scratch hard, which leaves a wavy patch
Using polishing powder on deep scratches without honing first
Scrubbing with abrasive pads, which adds more scratches
Assuming every mark is a scratch, when some are etching

Our process

How we fix scratches

01
Scratch or etch?
Etching is dullness from acid. A scratch is physical wear. We check first.
02
Clean
A pH-neutral cleaner removes dirt and film.
03
Hone
Diamond pads grind back the scratches and blend the area into the surrounding finish.
04
Polish
Finer pads bring back a gloss on counters or a satin finish on honed floors.
05
Seal if needed
Marble, limestone, and travertine get a sealer to slow staining.

Send Photos for Assessment View Scratch, Chip & Crack Repair

The service

Scratch, Chip & Crack Repair

Fill and refinish chips, cracks, and scratches.

Explore Scratch, Chip & Crack Repair

Stone types

The stones it affects most

Surfaces

Where it shows up

Kitchen counters and islands
Entry and hallway floors
Vanity tops and shower ledges
Lobby and corridor stone
Stair treads and landings

When to call a pro

When DIY won't fix it

If any of these sound familiar, send photos and a short description. That is usually enough for us to size up the job before a site visit.

01
Scratches across a whole prep area or vanity top
02
Scratched patches through a commercial lobby or corridor
03
DIY buffing left a cloudy patch
04
Deep scratches in engineered quartz, where what can be fixed depends on the brand

Keep it from coming back

Daily habits and the right products matter as much as the repair, especially on marble, limestone, and travertine.

Browse stone care products

Always use a cutting board
Dust-mop before wet mopping
Lift heavy items instead of dragging them
Put felt pads under furniture

Often mistaken for this, or found with it

Chipped corner and hairline crack on a marble countertop edge

Chip and Crack Repair

Chipped edges, broken corners, and hairline cracks filled with colour-matched epoxy, levelled, and polished to blend in.

Dull, worn marble entry floor that has lost its shine

Dull Stone Polishing

Honing and polishing that bring back the shine on dull floors, counters, showers, and lobbies.

Marble countertop with dull etch rings and cloudy acid marks

Marble Etching

Dull rings and cloudy patches left by wine, citrus, cleaners, and cosmetics. They have to be polished out.

Black granite countertop with pinhead pits catching the light

Stone Pitting

Pinhead holes in granite and other stone, filled with epoxy, levelled flush, and polished so the surface looks even again.

FAQ

Questions about scratches

Free quote

Fix scratches without replacing your stone.

Send photos of the damage. We'll confirm the stone, explain the fix, and quote the work before we start.

Get my free quote Call (905) 270-2959

No obligation · We reply within one business day

What causes it

Cutting on the stone

Knives scratch marble and limestone easily. Even ceramic plates can mark soft stone.

Grit

Sand and salt under mops, rugs, and shoes act like sandpaper.

Scouring pads and powders

Scouring powders, magic erasers, and coarse pads strip the polish.

Dragging heavy items

Appliances, planters, and metal chair legs.

How we fix scratches

Scratch or etch?

Etching is dullness from acid. A scratch is physical wear. We check first.

Clean

A pH-neutral cleaner removes dirt and film.

Hone

Diamond pads grind back the scratches and blend the area into the surrounding finish.

Polish

Finer pads bring back a gloss on counters or a satin finish on honed floors.

Seal if needed

Marble, limestone, and travertine get a sealer to slow staining.

When DIY won't fix it

If any of these sound familiar, send photos and a short description. That is usually enough for us to size up the job before a site visit.

Scratches across a whole prep area or vanity top

Scratched patches through a commercial lobby or corridor

DIY buffing left a cloudy patch

Deep scratches in engineered quartz, where what can be fixed depends on the brand

Questions about scratches