Quick Answer

A polished finish is built step by step, and every grit stage has a job to do. Burnish soft stone (limestone, marble, travertine) with diamond pads starting at a fine grit stage (100–200#), light pressure, and water — never coarse metal-bonded matrix unless leveling is needed. Soft stone cuts fast and etches easily, so go gently, use pH-neutral products, and seal the floor afterward.

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Why Soft Stone Is Different

What matters most in this stage.

Limestone, marble and travertine are calcite-based — softer than granite and chemically reactive.

Miss this step and the gloss will not come up evenly.

The Safe Sequence

The practical details.

3'' pads work for touch-ups; larger pads and floor equipment for whole floors.

• Burnish 800–3000# — resin pads for mirror finish, or stop at 400# for honed matte.
• Seal — a good sealing layer protects against staining and slows etching.
• Hone 100–400# — light pressure, wet, overlapping passes.
• Fill pits first — travertine and limestone require color-matched filler before burnishing.

Crews that rush this part rarely get a mirror finish.

About What to Avoid

Key points for the polishing sequence.

• Coarse metal-bonded matrix on level floors — it cuts too deep for soft stone.
• Acidic cleaners, vinegar, citrus — they etch calcite stone.
• High-speed dry burnishing — heat can crack and discolor soft stone.

This stage decides how much reflection the floor finally shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Am I able to use concrete polishing pads on marble?

A: In short, Resin pads work on both, but soft-stone pads are tuned to cut gentler. Start fine and assess in a corner.

Q: How do I remove etching from marble?

A: The practical answer is, Etching (dull spots from acid) requires re-honing with 400–800# pads in that spot, after that re-burnishing. Prevention (sealing + pH-neutral care) is far easier.

Q: How frequently should soft stone floors be polished?

A: For most jobs, Every 2–5 years depending on traffic; annual burnishing keeps mirror finish between polishes.

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Conclusion

Follow the grit ladder in order, keep the pads flat, and the gloss builds predictably. Soft stone rewards a gentle approach: fine grit stages, light pressure, water and pH-neutral care, plus sealing.