Polishing

• 1). Remove everything from your granite countertop, exposing the entire surface.
  
  
• 2). Clean the entire surface of your granite countertop with a commercial granite cleaner, following the manufacturer's instructions. Apply the cleaner with a soft, clean cloth. Rinse the granite thoroughly with a clean cloth so no residue remains on the surface.
  
  
• 3). Wet a white paper towel or white cotton rag and leave it on the countertop for 5 minutes to determine if the countertop has been sealed. If the area under the towel is dark when you remove it, your counter should be sealed. Polishing without first sealing is a wasted effort. Your countertop may look shiny for a day or so, but the shine won't last and the polish offers no protection from daily use.
  
  
• 4). Apply a coat of professional granite sealer to your dry countertop. Follow the manufacturer's directions, but generally the sealer can be applied with a paint brush or a soft cotton cloth. Cover the area completely and uniformly with sealer.
  
  Follow the manufacturer's directions concerning drying time, but a general rule of thumb is to allow 4 hours for the sealer to dry. Buff the surface between coats. Apply a second coat and increase the drying time to 6 hours.
  
  
• 5). Apply granite polish to a 3-foot section of countertop with a soft cotton cloth. Allow it to soak in for 3 to 4 minutes. Rub the polish into the granite in a circular motion, covering the entire area. Using a clean cloth, buff the granite to a shine, removing all traces of the polish. If a couple of drops of water bead up on the surface, you'll know you've polished correctly. Finish the rest of the countertop in the same way.