How to restore Fireslate countertops

Question: I have a problem with my Fireslate kitchen counter. Fireslate is no longer promoted for counters, as far as I know, because it doesnt hold up well and needs periodic refinishing. I have let mine get pretty bad and would like to have it redone. I would also love to know the best way to maintain it while still being able to use it normally I dont want to have to baby it.

Alexandria

Answer: Fireslate still has a Web site (www.fireslate.com) that promotes using the material for kitchen countertops, but no one responded to the phone number or e-mail address listed there.

Online comments from homeowners who have Fireslate countertops indicate that many people have had experiences similar to yours. Fireslate, which resembles slate, is made from Portland cement, silica sand, water and fillers. The Web site warns that after about five years you will need to reapply a sealer and that you can damage the surface by spilling acids such as lemon juice or vinegar, using the surface as a cutting board, or scraping it with a rough cast-iron pot. It also says you can spot-treat scratches by sanding them out, though that also wears away the sealer and makes it less effective there.

But you probably know that. So now what? When the overall surface gets heavily scratched, the only remedy is to sand or grind down to fresh material. Fireslate says its possible to use woodworking tools and sandpaper but notes that the job goes much faster with diamond abrasives and stone-polishing tools.

If you attempt this yourself, be sure to keep the surface damp to control dust. Airborne silica dust is classified as a carcinogen and can cause silicosis, a serious and sometimes fatal lung disease. Wet-dry sandpaper and diamond abrasives stand up to moisture.

If you want professional restoration, two possibilities are Rose Restoration in Merrifield, Va. (800-413-9893; http://www.roserestoration.com) and Concrete Angle in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. (301-514-1766), both of which work throughout the Washington area. Rose specializes in marble and often refers jobs involving concrete to Ron Rinehart, owner of Concrete Angle. The cost might run $500 to $2,000, depending on surface area.

For the sealer, Fireslate recommends Lithofin PSI. However, the manufacturer has since replaced that product with Lithofin MN Stain Stop, which costs $50 a liter at http://www.mystonecare.com. Rose and Concrete Angle also use penetrating sealers and include application in their prices.

One more tip, courtesy of John Forguson, the general manager at Mystonecare.com: Forget about topping the sealed countertop with tung oil, as the Fireslate Web site suggests. On a sealed surface, the oil will create a mottled look that appears stained. If you want the darker color that tung oil would create, he suggests using Lithofin MN Colour Intensifier, which is also a penetrating sealer, rather than the basic version. One bonus: Colour Intensifier is only $27 a liter.

You mentioned wanting to avoid having to baby the countertop. Unfortunately, you will still need to be reasonably attentive. The sealer should make the countertop resistant to stains. But you still couldnt leave a puddle, especially one with vinegar or other acid, sitting there for hours. Nor will resurfacing protect against dents from knife blades. Use a generous-size cutting board, or several.

See the article here:
How to restore Fireslate countertops