Marble polishing Services

Natural Stone Reimagined: The Intricate Dance Between Honing and Polishing

We have been in the stone refurbishment business as marble restoration Sydney experts for years now and restoring scratches from marble, granite, limestone and other surfaces always has a combination of honing and polishing involved. Whether we perform marble restoration for a bathroom or marble restoration for a kitchen, there will always be a process of either honing or polishing involved.

Natural stone countertops and floors can develop minor scratches, etching, and dullness over time from regular use. It is expected with foot traffic in the home or business and the kitchen involving countertop damage from knives, and other abrasive products commonly used by owners who are not aware.

Many homeowners wonder what the differences are between honing and polishing when it comes to repairing and restoring the appearance of natural stone surfaces. Honing and polishing are two processes that are commonly used to refresh and maintain natural stone, but they work in different ways and both are necessary for the end result to be perfect.

In this blog post, we will explain what honing and polishing are, the tools and abrasives used, and the results achieved from each honing and polishing process. This way, you will have some understanding on what goes into marble polishing or any other form of restoring stone surfaces from damage. We do this for a living day in and day out so we know what is involved in restoring stone surfaces.

We will outline the key differences between honing and polishing so that you understand when each is process is required for natural stone restoration. 

We’ll also provide tips on properly caring for honed and polished stone surfaces to extend the life and beauty of natural stone in the home.

Comparing the honing and polishing processes for natural stone will help homeowners choose the right maintenance and restoration methods for their countertops, floors, and other surfaces. Sometimes and in many cases, both are required for restoration of marble surfaces. What we write here is exactly what we do as marble restoration Sydney experts every day on the job.

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The Difference Between Honing and Polishing Natural Stone

Ok then, honed and polished surfaces are among the most popular finishes used in kitchen countertops, and bathroom vanity tops, shower surrounds, and fireplace surrounds. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of finish.

When it comes to natural stone finishes, what you must know is the difference between honed and polished marble is an important decision. Honing and polishing are two distinct processes that produce different results on natural stone surfaces.

Understanding the differences is important for proper stone care and maintenance.

Honing Damaged Surfaces

  • Honing is a process that removes minor scratches and etching from the surface of a honed natural stone. This is what is needed to repair marble from scratches and other impurities. It restores the stone’s natural appearance and sheen. 
  • Many homeowners appreciate the more natural, warmer feel of honed marble over polished, which can be a little rich in smaller environments. Since honing removes the shine and leaves a matte finish, it’s well-suited to areas that must be as non-slip as possible – such as floors and stairways, especially in areas that may get wet.
  • Honing uses abrasives like diamond pads or powders to grind the honed surface lightly. This levels out minor imperfections without changing the stone’s texture.
  • It repairs damage and restores the stone’s surface while preserving its natural, matte-honed finish. Honed stone has a satiny, smooth surface.

Polishing Honed Surfaces

Polishing the honed surface is the second last  stage after having restored damaged marble or other stone surfaces through the honing process. As stated, the honing process is for removing damage and the polishing process is for perfecting the shine.

  • Initially going through the same process as honing, polished natural stone is made glossy with finer polishing pads. It basically removes what the hiring process leaves behind after having removed all sca=racthes and other damage.
  • The full colour, depth, and crystal structure are visible with a polished finish.
  • Polishing uses finer grit abrasives to buff natural stone to a high-gloss, reflective shine. This produces a glassy, smooth, polished surface.
  • Polishing is done after honing to refine the finish further and prepare it for the sealing process.
  • Polishing restores the finish from the honing process.
  • Polished natural stone has a wet-look shine and reflective polished surfaces. The glossiness enhances the beauty and colour of the stone, leaving it ready for sealing.
Polishing stone surface
Before After Marble

Simple To Follow Maintenance Tips

So What Is Proper Care Of Your Stone After Restoration

If you follow some simple steps with your newly refurbished stone, you should find the shine will last for some time.

Proper care and cleaning are essential for preserving the beauty of your natural stone surfaces. Follow these tips to keep honed and polished stone finishes looking their best:

Honed Stone

  • Use pH-neutral stone cleaner – At all times, avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners that can etch the surface of the stone.
  • Rinse thoroughly after cleaning – Residue can cause buildup
  • Re-apply stone sealer every 1-2 years – Maintains protective barrier and can save on refurbishment costs.
  • Spot clean spills quickly – Has stain resistance
  • Dust mop floors frequently – Reduces grit that can scratch

Polished Stone

Never ever use abrasives on top of a highly polished stone surface, unless you wish to destroy the shine.

  • Use a gentle stone polish regularly – Removes light etching and enhances natural shine.
  • Dust and dry-mop floors often – High-traffic floors may require daily mopping.
  • Clean up spills immediately – Polished stone stains are easier than honed
  • Avoid walk-off mats with rubber backing – They can discolour from a chemical reaction
  • Test cleaners on small area first – Ensure it doesn’t dull high-gloss finish
  • Re-seal polished stone annually – Fills microscopic pits and fissures that would otherwise show stains if allowed to continue withouit sealing.


With proper maintenance and cleaning adapted for the specific finish, whether it’s honed or polished finishes, both honed and polished natural stone can remain beautiful for years. Avoid abrasive acidic cleaners, seal regularly, and follow stone care best practices. Professional restoration may be needed periodically to keep any natural stone floor or surface looking its best.

Yellow Gloves Grey Benchtop

Honing vs. Polishing Natural Stone

Having worked as stone restoration experts for years in this industry, we can safely say that understanding the key differences between honing and polishing natural stone is important for proper restoration and maintenance.

Honing repairs minor damage while retaining the stone’s natural appearance, whereas polishing completely transforms the surface to a glossy finish.

Knowing when honing or polishing is appropriate will help homeowners and property managers make the right decisions for maintaining and restoring the beauty of their natural stone surfaces they way that it suits them

Implementing the proper maintenance routines can help preserve the look of either honed or polished finishes.

At Complete Stone Care, our professional technicians provide expert honing, stone polishing, stone sealing, benchtop cleaning, and restoration services for all types of natural stone. We serve residential and commercial clients throughout Sydney. Our passion is revitalising tired and damaged natural stone to help it look as beautiful as the day it was installed.

For personalised recommendations on maintaining your natural stone polished or honed surfaces or scheduling an appointment, contact Complete Stone Care today. We offer free consultations and estimates.

Don’t put it off any longer and live with dull sad looking stone surfaces. Refresh and reveal the true elegance of your natural stone with our specialist services. Fill out your details and we gte back to you ASAP.

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