Granite hearth stone

[Socksitis]

Hi, we have revelaed a granite hearth stone and after chipping away at the screed/floor leveller on it, wish to keep it visible, but it looks a bit dull having lost the patina that would surely have been there bfore it was covered.

How can I bring back that wet stone look?

I have used a product on granite in the house 30 years ogo that was amazing and never pealed, but just sealed the stone - but I cannot remember what it was - I used what I thought was a similar product about 10 years ago and that pealed off like varnish.

Are there any suggestions for what I can use - I have seen reference to oil and WD40?

 

[aockenden]

I’ve stained stone darker / wet looking with linseed and / or tung oil.

 

[Cubist]

I would echo @aockendens suggestion re linseed or tung oil but would add, if you choose to use it, that you might want to thin the linseed oil with white spirit before applying it. Applied too thickly linseed oil can dry to a soft varnish like coating that is quite soft and delicate. Tung oil is typically thinned before sale and some feel it provides a better finish for use on wood but it is a trifle more expensive. Also, if you have Green sentiments, linseed is produced in the UK while Tung Oil is predominantly produced and shipped from China - hence some of the extra cost.

 

[aockenden]

I would echo @aockendens suggestion re linseed or tung oil but would add, if you choose to use it, that you might want to thin the linseed oil with white spirit before applying it. Applied too thickly linseed oil can dry to a soft varnish like coating that is quite soft and delicate. Tung oil is typically thinned before sale and some feel it provides a better finish for use on wood but it is a trifle more expensive. Also, if you have Green sentiments, linseed is produced in the UK while Tung Oil is predominantly produced and shipped from China - hence some of the extra cost.

Yes absolutely a good point, thinning is definitely worth doing. turps will work as well.