Obscure DIY Problem: Method for polishing edges of stone backsplash?

[KlokWyze]

So.... we are redoing our kitchen and already put up the backsplash and/but left some exposed unpolished edges of the stone. Reference the pic.

There was no special edge version of this.

Now.... I understand it would be really hard or basically impossible to put a mirror like finish on all these edges, but I would like to try and do something. I took my dremel to some spares stones we had and used the fine-sanding bit, felt tip w/ polishing compound and then the felt wheel. Results are mild at best, but the main problem is that I can't seem to remove the polishing compound afterwards.

Can anyone here recommend a better method or set of tools for doing this? Anyone have any tricks for removing excess polishing compound?

 

[drnickriviera]

I'd get a stone sealer, something like this http://miraclesealants.com/s_511_seal_enhance.html it will enhance the color.

If want to go all out, you'll need diamond stone polishing pads http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page...lishing%20Pads and something much slower than a dremel. There are special angle grinders with variable speed and water feeds for that job. I think it would be a waste of time and money unless the cuts are uneven/jagged. You'll get the look with just the sealer/enhancer

 

[lxskllr]

You did what I would have suggested. My second idea is to use another stone. Do it just like you would a knife. Start with a soft stone, and graduate to harder stones for a smoother finish. You might be able to use stones for knives. Start with Arkansas stones, and finish with water stones. You might even be able to find some in the wild. It's good you have material to practice on.

 

[highland145]

I'd get a stone sealer, something like this http://miraclesealants.com/s_511_seal_enhance.html it will enhance the color.

1st thought.

Wet it and see if it will work. If so, the sealer.

 

[highland145]

My Grandfather had some thin rock opaque "sheets". Don't remember what they were but looked cool when wet. Not so much dry. A thin coat of poly fixed that and I put them in the window.

 

[jaedaliu]

If the difference is just a wet look, the above sealant ideas will work great.

If, however, the surface is uneven and needs to be polished, I'm surprised sanding doesn't work. Sand paper is really hard. It'll be slow going, but you should be able to sand it with progressively finer paper until you get the shine you need. A vibrating hand sander should work fine. If you get the wall a bit, you can always repaint it.

 

[KlokWyze]

Cool. Great suggestions guys. Will grab some stone sealer and test a bit on some spare pieces. If all goes well, just need to use dremel to cut a few uneven pieces, sand off the grout/mortar and then I'll apply it.

Cheers!