Sealing

Should I seal my Granite Cornhole Boards test.

 

If you are trying to determine if your board needs to be resealed or not, perform this test.

 

You will need to make the surface level or put something on the board surface to hold the water. Like a silicone oven pad, just to stop water from running off.

 

Drip a puddle of water on your board, note the time and observe.

 

If the puddle darkens quickly, then sealing the granite is required… multiple coats and annually for 3 years is not a bad idea and be diligent about wiping up spills.

 

If the puddle takes 4-5 minutes to darken...again a few coats of a good impregnator / sealer should be applied, but resealing every 3-5 years may be needed and stains won’t be a big deal unless something sits for a few hours.

 

If it darkens in 10-15 minutes, then apply a sealer, but follow directions carefully. Probably only one coat is needed and should be many years before re-sealing is necessary.

 

If the puddle doesn’t darken or takes 30 minutes or longer, than you have a stone that is next to impossible to stain, and really is not necessary to seal.

 

For most granite types, applying a sealer even when not needed won’t present a problem..

 

However, some dark granites (blacks and greens especially) are very dense and when sealer is applied, it just sits on top and noticeably dulls the appearance. If this happens, the granite sealer must be stripped off and possibly will require a surface re-polishing, an expensive pain.

 

How to seal the granite:

 

Clean the granite with acetone or a quality granite cleaner to remove any debris and residues from the surface.

 

Pour sealer onto the granite surface, using enough to cover a small manageable area.

 

Create a thin, even film of sealer by spreading around with a paint brush.

 

Allow sealer to dwell and absorb into the stone, 2-5 minutes. Time depends on specific stone and sealer.

 

To ensure complete coverage.. after thin film of sealer absorbs and the area begins to dry, pour a bit more sealer around, and let sit for another minute or two.

 

Then with a clean, dry cloth, wipe up all excess sealer and buff the surface completely dry to avoid leaving a hard-to remove haze.

 

Test your stone first to see if resealing is necessary, do not apply sealer “just to be safe”.