This Marble Bar Top at a Four Seasons Hotel was saved from Acid Etching
It is commonly understood in the natural stone industry that there is no product on the market that will protect sensitive, natural stones (such as White Carrera marble, onyx, travertine and limestone) from food acid etching. For this reason, frustrated natural stone lovers have been loath to use their preferred material for applications such as kitchen countertops, bar tops or flooring in areas where food is present. Etch marks are the discolored and rough rings and blemishes caused when common food articles react with the calcium in sensitive stones. Usually clients have to spend time and money having the surface re-polished to repair the damage, but in some cases, the etched portion of the stone is irreparable. Not only is this process costly and messy, but it will not protect in any way against the future incidence of etching; not the best of strategies for maintaining the beauty of your natural stone.
Synergy Surfaces, a Colorado based company, is now offering training and product sales for the innovative MarbleLOC process. This clear, penetrating and thin film surface protection system stops drink and food acid damage from occurring on marble and other natural surfaces. MarbleLOC forms a clear and durable finish that uses nanotechnology components to combat the acid damage. It can be honed or polished to the desired finish of the customer, and several projects have been completed in the U.S. to protect restaurant and bar surfaces from etch marks. For instance, the picture on the left features a marble bar top that was successfully treated with the sealer at a Four Seasons Hotel; Synergy is well on its way to raising the bar in the surface protection industry, allowing fabricators to give the customer what they really want without worrying about the repercussions of installing stone that just won’t perform. Is it green? You bet! The MarbleLoc process emits a very low level of VOCs, and is approved for use in every state.
Synergy Surfaces has also released NANO1000. NANO1000 is designed to provide all the benefits of traditional organic sealers without relying on organic chemistry technology that is used in most sealers. NANO1000 is LEED approved, water based and 100% VOC free. NANO1000 is a treatment rather than a sealer because it is not mechanically bonding with capillaries and pores of stones unnaturally in an attempt to seal them, but instead integrating with these natural minerals at a molecular level. It will keep limestone, marble and sandstone free of environmental etching, molds, algae, efflorescence and hard water damage. It is very easy to apply and repels the most difficult stains. It never chips or peels and can be applied as often as necessary with inexpensive conditioning coats every few years or as needed in high traffic areas. UV rays will not damage the performance of NANO1000 which is common in most sealer technologies available.
Fabricators, Architects and designers who are interested may contact Synergy Surfaces to learn more about these products and their availability in your area.
SynergySurfaces.com
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
