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Q. During an excavation, the backhoe dug up a beautiful 4-by-6-foot slab of
granite, which I would like to use as a yard ornament. But I would like it
polished, dark and shiny. Who would do this? Would sandblasting smooth it
out? Would oiling help?
JOSEPH AHEARN, Derry, N.H. A. Granite is polished by making it as smooth as possible to reflect light, usually by grinding on a flat surface. A monument carver could polish it, but the cost might be prohibitive. Sandblasting won't work because it would roughen the finish, reflecting less light. Let nature take its course; weather will make it smoother and shinier. And you can use oil. Make a mix of 1 part boiled linseed oil and 1 part paint thinner, and paint this on the stone. Wait 15 minutes and wipe it off with a dry cloth, or at least all that is going to come off. Left on the stone, the solution will stay sticky. Dispose of oily cloths safely by burning them; left around, they will spontaneously ignite. And one more thing: When you select a site and install the rock, make sure it is snuggled into the earth, not standing on top of the ground like a balancing rock. This way it will look like a part of the landscape and be more aesthetically pleasing. |
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