Homeowner Forum / Construction / March 2007

I wanted to try to fabricate a granite countertop myself to learn how to do
it.  I got all the tools I thought I needed (spent about $500) and started
in.  Everything went smoothly but, for the life of me, I can't get the final
polish on.  I started wet polishing with the 50 wheel on slow speed and
progressed to 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3000 and Buf.  The granite is smooth
to the touch and when it is wet it looks great and has the look I am trying
to achieve.  But when the water dries off it looks a little bit duller and
"whiter" than the mill finish.

Just to test, I picked a small 4"x4" area and took plenty of time with each
grit not pressing too hard or using too much water, but it just won't polish
up.  I spent all day working this stone.  So, I have 2 questions :

1 - Is there some product that can take the stone from the polished but dull
state it is in and give it a 'wet' look ?
2 - When wet polishing, since the stone looks 'polished' how do the pros
know that all areas have been sanded and it is time to move on to the next
grit?

Thank you,
Curt