Over time marble dulls and develops scratches and etch marks from grit, acidic cleaners and daily use. Crystallisation polishing is the most common restoration method in Hong Kong: a crystallising agent works with steel wool and a floor machine to create a hardened glossy layer on the surface. It is usually completed within one working day, produces little dust and the floor can be used immediately.
Grinding removes a layer of stone physically with progressively finer pads, dealing with deep scratches and unevenness, but it thins the stone, takes longer and creates more dust. Crystallisation forms a glossy layer chemically, treating surface dulling and light scratches - fast, thin and clean. Deep damage needs grinding first, then crystallisation.
Clean the surface, inspect and fill locally, work the floor machine with steel wool and crystallising agent section by section, repeat once or twice until gloss is even, remove residue and hand over. Typically one day depending on area and condition, with immediate use afterwards.
Homes usually need it every one to two years; malls, offices and hotel lobbies with heavy footfall every six to twelve months, or under an annual maintenance contract. Frequency depends on footfall, cleaning method and the condition of existing sealers.
Marble and other calcareous stones suit it best because the agent reacts with calcium carbonate. Granite contains large amounts of quartz and is not normally crystallised; it is ground or treated with dedicated polishing compounds. Engineered stone is also unsuitable.
Usually within one working day depending on area. It is a chemical process with steel wool rather than heavy grinding, so dust is far less than full grinding and the floor is usable immediately.
Only surface dulling and light scratches. Deep scratches, chips and heavy etching need grinding to remove the damaged layer, followed by crystallisation to restore gloss.
Normally no. Granite contains a lot of quartz, so crystallising agents work poorly. It is ground or treated with dedicated polishing compounds instead.