Question on marble sinks

[Bethk]

We purchased a new marble sink this weekend for our bathroom remodel and am wondering about how it stands up. I thought a counter and sink all in one piece would be easiest for cleaning but had a few different people tell me that they yellow. In fact, in the small out of the way bathroom in our church there is a marble sink and it has yellowed, and it's not that old. Is there a special way to take care of it so this doesn't happen? I want to take it back if it turning yellow is a given. If any of you have one, what is your experience?

Thanks for your help,

Beth

[JD]

Hi Beth,

I have installed and pulled out a lot of these cultured marble sink tops. They can yellow over time, but I think that is more to do with iron or something in the water. I have one in my bathroom that has to be 20 years old and it has not yellowed at all. But I have seen them do that. They do seem to collect hard water stain if they are rarely cleaned at least more so than a porcelain finish which can take more serious scrubbing over a longer period of time. Depends on how clean you keep it. But even with porcelain, it depends on the quality of unit you buy. I would take the cultured marble over a cheap sink any day. I do like the lack of raised rim at the top.

JMO
JD

[Dirty White Boy]

Just like the paint on your car, you need to buff it...actually with the same items.lol

Use a medium buffing compound and a polishing wax for cultured marble sinks. Make sure the polish is approved for fiberglass bodies. Then rinse sink thoroughly.

True marble can be buffed the same way but I would try borax rubbed into the surface with a moist towel first...It will be necessary to seal the marble with a stone sealer after you buff it though.

[Bethk]

Thanks for the replies. So, a regular bathroom cleaner would not do then? I would be cleaning at the very least weekly. What I normally use is regular bathroom cleaner, like 409.

Thanks,

Beth

[JD]

Any softscrub or non abrasive cleaner used once a week should keep the finish nice for a long time. Again, I think the yellowing may have to do with the type of minerals in the water. A porcelain sink may not have this yellowing problem. The culture marble is a plastic, so it is softer than porcelain. But when if/ you do need a deep cleaning, the polishing DWB suggests would probably do a great job. Never tried it myself.

JMO
JD

[Bethk]

I didn't realize that it was a plastic. I thought it was stone. Darn. Oh well. At least it looks better than the "original" plastic sink that was in there.