FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What exactly is a stone sealer?
A: Our stone sealers such as ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector and Stone Impregnator are chemical sealants that penetrate and bond to the pores of the stone.  This changes the surface tension creating a barrier that will not allow contaminants to stain the stone.

Q: Why should I seal my natural stone?
A: Natural stone is a durable but porous material and sealing it will prevent water and oil based contaminants from penetrating the stone’s pores which can stain and cause damage.

Q: Why should I seal my grout?
A: Grout is normally cement based and very porous. Using ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector or Stone Impregnator will keep the grout from staining and will make it easier to maintain.  If your grout is new, be sure to properly seal it.  Sealing now will prevent problems later.  If your existing grout needs cleaning, try our Stone Cleanser or Stone Restore to make it look new again.  After your grout has been cleaned, be sure to re-seal it.

Q: How long should I wait for my sealer to dry?
A: Be sure to follow the instructions on the container. When using ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector or Stone Impregnator, allow 24 hours for complete curing keeping the stone free from contaminants during this time. There is an 80% cure in the first half-hour and the remaining 20% is cured in 24 hours.  Avoid food contact during this 24 hour period after which it is completely safe for food contact.

Q: How do I know how much sealer to use?
A: Every stone has different porosity which means some stones require very little sealer and others require much more sealer. Using ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector or Stone Impregnator, if the sealer soaks into your stone after only 15-20 minutes multiple applications may be necessary. After 30 minutes, if your stone is still “wet”, that indicates that it is completely saturated and you may remove any excess.

Q: How often do I need to re-seal my stone?
A: Different stones are exposed to different potential harmful materials. Used properly, ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector and Stone Impregnator will protect for at least one year but some heavy use areas can benefit from multiple applications during the year.  Use of improper cleaning products can reduce the effectiveness of the stone sealer.  If your stone has been properly sealed, daily use of ZERO-Ultimate Surface Cleaner (which contains a small amount of our sealer) will prolong your need to re-seal your stone.

Q: How do I know what sealer to use on my natural stone?
A: You should avoid any silicone based products (found at most big-box hardware stores) as they do not penetrate the stone deep enough to be effective. You should only use a sealer that utilizes our EXCLUSIVE fluoropolymer system such as ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector or Stone Impregnator.  There are other fluoropolymer products on the market but our products have been independently tested and have consistently outperformed all others.

Q: Will your sealers make my stone look glossy?
A: No. ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector and Stone Impregnator penetrate and protect from within the stone. Sealers that leave a glossy look are referred to as topical and are susceptible to wearing off after normal usage.

Q:  My installer sealed our countertops with a silicone-based sealer.  They seem cloudy and I cannot seem to get them to sparkle like they should.  Could this be from the silicone?
A:  You are absolutely correct!  One of the problems with silicone-based sealers is there is no place for the sealer to go.  Most stone is too dense to absorb the silicone so it just sits on top.  Each time you attempt to clean the surface you are literally "smearing" the silicone all around.  The solution is to use a grease-cutting cleaner, such as our Stone Cleanser, and cleaning off all of the silicone.  Once you have removed as much as you can be sure to re-seal using ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector or Stone Impregnator.  These products will fill the "voids" where the silicone did not penetrate and properly protect your stone.

Q: Do I need a professional to apply your products?
A: No. That is one of the many great reasons to use our products. They are professional grade but are easy to use. Professional results…no professionals needed!

Q: What should I use to seal my natural stone?
A: ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector provides the absolute best penetrating protection without changing the appearance of the stone. Stone Enhancer provides the same great protection and also brings out the natural beauty, color and characteristics of the stone. Both are easy to use. These are the only stone sealers using our EXCLUSIVE fluoropolymer system specifically engineered for a variety of stone surfaces such as natural stone, engineered stone, cement surfaces, tile and grout.

Q: Do your sealers prevent scratches and chipping?
A: No, but ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector and Stone Impregnator both provide resistance against oil and water-based stains.

Q: Are your sealers safe for food handling areas?
A: Once the products are fully cured (24 hours) they are completely safe for food handling areas.

Q: How are your sealers different than silicone based sealers?
A: Traditional silicone or silane based sealers have a higher surface tension (larger molecules) and therefore do not physically “fill” all pores. Silicone is also oil-based and oil has a tendency to attract other oils such as the oils on your skin.  So even simple contact with your stone can make your stone look bad. Our products utilize an EXCLUSIVE fluoropolymer system which has the lowest surface tension (smaller molecules) allowing it to physically impregnate the porous surface of the stone creating a barrier preventing stains from happening.

Q: How do I know if my stone needs to be sealed?
A: Try this simple absorbency test. Apply a tablespoon of water onto the surface and let it sit for 15 minutes. If the water starts to "flatten out" or starts to soak in that means it is still absorbing therefore our sealer should be applied.  When properly sealed, the water should bead up like a freshly waxed car.

Q: When applying your sealer, I accidentally left it on the stone for several hours and now there is a residue. What can I do to remove this residue?
A: Although this is an uncommon occurrence with our products, all you need to do is dampen a clean cloth or towel with the sealer and wipe the surface until it is removed.

Q: Can I use your sealer if my countertop has already been treated with another sealer?
A: Yes. As our “competitors” sealers do not penetrate as well as ours, our sealers will penetrate into the stone filling the “voids” left by their products providing lasting protection.  When using our sealers on a stone that was previously sealed with a silicone-based sealer you may notice a haze or residue.  This is a result of our sealer penetrating the stone and literally forcing out the silicone-based sealer.  You can remove this film with our Stone Cleanser until all of the silicone residue has been removed.

Q: I just had Silestone® countertops installed and the company that installed them told me that I didn't have to seal them.  Is this true?
A: That is what the makers of quartz surfaces want you to believe.  Products like Silestone®, Caesarstone®, Cambria®, Technistone™, Zodiaq® and others are manufactured products combining quartz crystals and resin which are compressed creating a look and feel much like natural stone.  However, prolonged exposure to staining materials such as oil, red wine, mustard, cola, etc. will penetrate the quartz surface and leave unwanted and damaging stains if not sealed properly with Quartz Surface Enhancer.  This product not only provides deep, penetrating protection against staining, it enhances the color of your quartz surface.

Q: We just purchased a home that has Zodiaq® countertops.  We like the way they look but there is a noticeable difference in color from one side of our sink to the other and also next to our stove.  Do you have anything that can help enhance the color?
A: A common problem with quartz surfaces is inconsistent coloring from one end of a slab to the other.  Applying Quartz Surface Enhancer accentuates the color and brilliance of your quartz surface while providing ultimate stain protection.  The enhancing qualities of this product will create a more uniform color throughout your stone.

Q: I have had Cambria® countertops for a couple of years now and my teenage children are pretty tough on them.  There are scratches and small chips all over the stone.  All of these blemishes leave a dull, white, powdery residue that looks just awful.  Do you have anything that can fix these?
A: We suggest you check with your installer or the manufacturer for their suggested method of repairing your stone.  An inexpensive way to "fix" these blemishes is applying our Quartz Surface Enhancer.  The enhancing qualities will darken those blemishes so they blend in with the rest of your stone and it will also provide extra stain protection.

Q: On your website you offer ZERO-Ultimate Stone Protector.  Can I use this product on my Caesarstone®?
A: Yes you can but we engineered our ZERO products to be the best products for natural stone such as granite and marble.  Quartz Surface Enhancer has been scientifically formulated to work with the quartz and resins used in Caesarstone® and other quartz surfaces.

Q: If my Silestone® countertops contain Microban®, why do I need to seal them?
A: Microban® is an additive that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria and is built into the stone material.  Its purpose is to combat microbes and has nothing to do with stain repellency.  Quartz Surface Enhancer is fully compatible with Microban®.

Q: Can I use Quartz Surface Enhancer on my Corian® solid surface countertop?
A: Quartz Surface Enhancer has been engineered to provide enhancement and stain protection for quartz surfaces.  Corian® is basically a type of plastic so it has the ability to repel stains without applying a sealer.  You can use ZERO-Ultimate Surface Cleaner and ZERO-Ultimate Foam'n Polish on Corian® and other solid surface products for easy cleaning.

Q: Will your sealers clean my surfaces?
A: Our sealers do not clean surfaces but they do prevent surfaces from staining.  Our daily cleaner, ZERO-Ultimate Surface Cleaner, actually cleans and reseals every time it is used.

Q: Now that I have natural stone in my house, is it OK to use the same cleaning products I have been using?
A: You should definitely avoid using any products that are available at your local grocery store.  Most of those products contain bleach, ammonia, or citric acids which can damage your natural stone.  Using ZERO-Ultimate Surface Cleaner as your daily cleaner will not only clean your stone but as it contains a small amount of our sealer technology, it reseals every time you clean.

Q: I have granite in my shower, how can I remove hard water stains and soap residue?
A: For heavy-duty cleaning on all types of stone you can use our STONE CLEANSER which cleans and degreases, is acid-free, non-abrasive and fast acting with a pleasant scent.  For stubborn stains STONE RESTORE is a highly concentrated acidic cleaner excellent for removal of soap scum and hard water deposits.  STONE RESTORE should only be used with ceramic or porcelain tile and granite as it will etch acid sensitive stones such as marble, travertine, limestone and masonry.

***Be careful not to spray ZERO-Ultimate Foam’n Polish on to hard floors as the surface will become extremely slippery*** 

Q: Do your products come with a warranty?
A: If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with the performance of our products please contact us immediately and we will do whatever is necessary to recitify the situation.  As our products are designed to be used by everyone, not just professionals, there are times when products are not used properly.  In those instances we are willing to work with the individual and educate them on the proper use of our products and try to fix the problem.  We offer the best products on the market and are not going to try to give you a false sense of security by offering a warranty that does nothing to fix your problem.  Simply stated, we stand behind each one of our products.

We guarantee that the product you receive is of the highest quality and has been tested to meet our demanding standards.  Not just better...Superior!

***V.O.C. COMPLIANCE FAQ's***

Q: Why do stone care products need to be V.O.C, compliant?
A: In 2006,the state of California adopted regulations to lower the amount of volatile organic compound (V.O.C.) in coatings and protective treatments and solvents.  These regulations seek to reduce toxic emissions and ground level ozone. Currently 14 states have adopted these regulations (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and includes Washington DC).  It is only a matter of time before all other states adhere to these regulations. Check with your local and state government agencies to see if your state has been added.  All ZERO branded stone care products are V.O.C. compliant.

Q: How do I know if the stone care product I am using is V.O.C. compliant?
A: First, the package should be clearly marked as V.O.C. compliant.  Another way to tell is to read the MSDS sheet for that product.  Acceptable levels of V.O.C. are 100 grams per liter V.O.C.or lower.  Anything over 100 grams per liter is not V.O.C. compliant.

Q: Can I still use stone care products that are not V.O.C. compliant?
A: Be sure to check your local or state governmental regulations.  Currently, you can only purchase non V.O.C. compliant products in quart size or smaller in those states enforcing the V.O.C. regulations.

Though we have created the most user-friendly products on the market, we are still asked questions regarding stone care.

We have listed some of the most commonly asked questions as answered by our technical staff.

Please take a moment to review these F.A.Q.' s to see if we may have already addressed your situation.

If you do not see your situation mentioned here please contact us with your question.  A member of our Superior Stone Products staff will be happy to answer any of your questions.  

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