Repairing Etching Marks on Travertine

Type of Finish

• The repair process for etched travertine depends primarily on what type of finish the stone has. Small, light etch marks on polished travertine generally respond well to simple buffing and resealing. Hone-finished travertine, which has a matte finish, usually requires professional refinishing. Cleft-finished travertine, which has a rippled texture, is difficult even for professionals to refinish; it may be necessary to mask etch marks on this surface instead of removing them.

Heavy Etching

• Etching that extends over a large area or includes cratering usually requires resurfacing by a professional stone restoration contractor. This entails grinding the stone around the damaged area to the depth of the etch marks; diamond abrasive pads tend to produce the best results. Once the etch marks are gone, the stone restorer will polish and reseal the affected area.

Light Etching

• A lightly etched area is smooth to the touch and has no visible indentations or cratering. The standard do-it-yourself treatment for light etching is to wet the etched area with water, sprinkle it with marble polishing powder and buff it with a clean, damp cloth. Alternatively, you can use a low-speed power drill with a clean buffing pad. For smaller marks, it may suffice to apply a marble polishing cream and buff the stone with a cleaning cloth. If the treatment is successful, the etch marks will disappear, leaving the affected area shiny. Otherwise, the travertine will need professional care.

Staining

• Some materials that etch travertine will also stain it. When this happens, it’s necessary to treat the stain before attempting to remove the etch marks. This typically involves making a chemical poultice and letting it sit on the stone for up to 48 hours. The type of poultice required depends on the type of stain; for common organic liquids like citrus juice or wine, the preferred treatment is a solution of 12-percent hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. Paper towels or cotton balls can be soaked in this solution and taped to the affected area. Some stains require multiple poultices.