How to polish granite countertops
Granite care depends on the surface condition. Clean hard water deposits and soil with Inox Orbipads or a razor scraper. For routine shine, deep clean then polish with Novagranit Gel. For a satin finish with light wear, Light Restoration starts at 400 grit. For matte granite with scratches you can feel with a fingernail, Full Restoration starts at 50 grit. Every polishing step is worked wet.
This guide covers granite countertops, islands, bar tops and vanities. Diagnose first with your hand and fingernail, then follow the matching option in order. Do not skip steps.
Choose the right process
Run your hand across the granite, then your fingernail. What you feel decides where you start.
Deep clean granite countertops
Result: removes hard water deposits, white buildup, and soil around faucets and sinks. No polishing, no change in gloss level.
- Clean the surface of debris and soil with a wet towel.
- If thick: scrape carefully at an angle with a razor blade (avoid scratching faucet/sink metal).
- If light to medium: wet an Inox Orbipad and scrub — also safe on stainless steel faucets/sinks (work in the direction of the grain; this also restores shine to worn, matte stainless steel).
- Apply B-Scrub to the granite, faucet and sink with a Novagranit White Pad.
- Use a gentle amount, scrub for one minute.
- Remove residue with a window squeegee, then rinse with water and a clean microfiber towel.
Deep clean and polish
Result: Use when granite is clean but duller than new — granite that has lost its shine, looks dull, or no longer reflects light the way it used to.
- Follow all steps of Option A first.
- Once the granite is clean and dry, mask adjacent surfaces that could be affected by splatter.
- Attach a Novagranit White Pad to a variable-speed hand polisher or drill with a rigid 5" backer plate.
- Apply about a teaspoon of Novagranit Gel and work a 2–4 sq ft area at a time.
- Start the polisher on the slowest speed and spread the compound evenly with firm, controlled pressure.
- As the compound begins to dry, gradually increase speed while reducing pressure.
- Once it's nearly dry with no splattering, increase speed and continue until the desired gloss is reached.
- Some granite types might need multiple applications.
- If swirl or splatter marks remain, mist the area lightly with water and go over it with the same pad — no additional compound — buffing until the marks disappear.
Light restoration
Result: corrects light wear and restores gloss on granite that looks worn, has dull spots, or has a satin finish with no visible scratch depth. Scratches are not felt with a fingernail.
- Remove the faucet and sink if possible (or have a plumber do it).
- Scrape off hard water deposits with an Inox Orbipad or a razor scraper.
- Mask adjacent surfaces.
- Use a variable-speed polisher with a 4" backer plate.
- Grit 400 - inspect for an even matte finish with no scratch pattern before moving on to the next grit.
- For each grit, add water and run 6–10 slow passes with about 25% overlap. Remove residue, rinse and dry. Inspect for an even finish with no scratch pattern.
- If any scratch pattern remains, repeat 6–10 passes on the same grit before moving to the next.
- Rinse and dry once the full sequence is done.
- Polish with Novagranit Gel following the same method as Option B, step 3.
Full restoration
Result: fully restores a matte, heavily worn granite surface with no shine. For scratched granite countertops where damage is clearly felt with a fingernail — the starting point for full granite restoration.
- Remove the faucet and sink if possible (or have a plumber do it).
- Scrape off hard water deposits with an Inox Orbipad or a razor scraper.
- Mask adjacent surfaces.
- Use a variable-speed polisher with a 4" backer plate.
- Grit 400 - inspect for an even matte finish with no scratch pattern before moving on to the next grit.
- For each grit, add water and run 6–10 slow passes with about 25% overlap.
- Remove residue, rinse and dry, then inspect for an even finish with no scratch pattern. Inspect for an even finish with no scratch pattern.
- Repeat passes on the same grit until uniform before moving to the next.
- Polish with Novagranit Gel following the same method as Option B, step 3.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to remove the faucet before restoring a granite countertop?
It's recommended, or have a plumber do it. It gives full access to the area around the sink and prevents scratching the fixtures during polishing.
Will polishing granite remove scratches?
Light scratches not felt with a fingernail are corrected in Option C. Deeper scratches felt clearly with a fingernail need the full Profast sequence starting at 50 grit in Option D.
Can I polish granite without a machine?
No. The resin sequence and Novagranit Gel require a variable-speed polisher or drill to work the abrasive evenly across the surface. If using a drill, use our rigid backer plate (avoid using the flexible drill attachment).
How do I know if my granite needs cleaning or restoration?
If the surface is still glossy and only has hard water buildup, Option A or B is enough. If the gloss itself has faded or the surface feels rough, you need Option C or D.
Does polishing granite protect it from stains?
No. Polishing restores the finish — it does not seal the stone. Apply a penetrating sealer once the surface is clean and dry.
Order the resins and polishing compound online, or send us a photo of the surface and our technical team will tell you exactly where to start.