How to Hone a Limestone Countertop

Wipe down the limestone countertop with a wet rag or sponge to remove any dust, oils and dirt. If the countertop is particularly dirty, clean it with a product made specifically for limestone.

Put on a pair of safety glasses. Equip a hand-held, variable-speed orbital sander with an 800-grit wet diamond polishing pad.

Pour water on a 2-foot section of the countertop to create a moderately wet surface.

Place the sander on the water-coated surface and turn it to its lowest speed setting. Move the sander from one side of the countertop to the other side 10 to 12 times. Move the sander down so the pad slightly overlaps the first row of passes. Keep the sander in constant motion on the wet surface, slowly moving back and forth 10 to 12 times.

Continue to make 10 to 12 passes over the wet limestone, slightly overlapping each row. Add water to the surface of the next section and repeat the process, row by row until you hone the entire countertop with the 800-grit diamond pad.

Wet a large sponge or rag and wipe the milky-white water off of the countertop. Pull the rag or sponge from one side of the countertop to the other side, rinse the sponge or rag then wipe again.

Remove the pad from the sander and replace it with a 1,500-grit wet diamond polishing pad.

Wet a 2-foot section of the countertop with water and move the sander over the limestone as you did with the 800-grit pad. Make 10 to 12 passes, slightly overlapping each row and keeping the limestone surface wet until you hone the entire countertop with the 1500-grit pad.

Wet a rag or large sponge and remove the milky-white water from the countertop.

Remove the 1,500-grit pad from the sander and replace it with a 3,000-grit pad if a shinier surface is desired.

Wet the countertop and hone it with the same steps as with the 800- and 1500-grit pads.

Wipe down the countertop with the wet rag or sponge to remove the milky-white water.