Best epoxy for granite repair
used for countertops, flooring, and structural components; it can still experience chip, crack, and break due to impact, stress, or long-term use. When selecting an epoxy for repairing granite, you want to ensure that you choose an epoxy that will restore both the strength and appearance of its original state.
This document describes what to look for in an epoxy and how to select the appropriate granite epoxy to achieve a professional-quality result.
What is Epoxy and Why Can It be Used on Granite?
An epoxy is a two-component adhesive system containing a resin and hardener. When mixed, these components form a strong chemical bond between each other. It will;
• Adhere extremely well to dense surfaces such as granite.
• Have a very high compressive and tensile strength.
• Be resistant to water, chemicals, as well as temperature changes.
• Be polished to create seamless repairs to the granite surface once the epoxy had cured.
Although granite is a heavy and non-porous material, ordinary glue will not be able to repair a granite surface; therefore, epoxy is the professional’s choice.
Best Features Found In An Epoxy For Repairing Granite
When professionals choose an epoxy, they look for:
1. High Bonding Strength
When selecting an epoxy, it is important to choose an epoxy that is capable of providing a structural bond with regard to:
• Broken granite slabs
• Large cracks
• Edge and Corner Repairs
Be sure to buy a product that is described on the label as a “Stone Epoxy” or a “Structural Adhesive.”There are different types of epoxies depending on the viscosity or means of thickness used in making repairs to granite stone that are based on the visually apparent magnitude of granite damage.
• Low viscosity epoxy works well with hairline cracks.
• Knife grade epoxy works well with filling in chips, gaps, and edges of granite.
When choosing the right epoxy, the color and opacity of the epoxy must match the granite’s color and transparency.
• Epoxy resin may be either clear or tinted.
• Tints can be matched to nearly any design.
• Once polished, tints will become almost invisible on the granite surface.
Granite repairs performed outdoors need to meet specific criteria for the adhesive used to repair the granite.
• The epoxy should not turn yellow from subjection to direct sunlight.
• Strength of the epoxy must not be weakened by significant temperature changes.
The high quality of an epoxy will allow for the repair to be sanded, honed or polished to achieve a natural finish similar to that of the granite. This will help to complete the granite repair to achieve a seamless and inconspicuous repair.
Common Examples of Epoxies Used to Repair Granite
1. Clear Epoxy
Application: hairline cracks or surface damage that is hard to see.
Characteristics: completely transparent and allows ample transmission.
2. Knife Grade Epoxy
Application: chips or missing pieces of granite; for reconstruction of edges of granite pieces.
Characteristics: will flow easily and hold well while curing.
3. Structural Epoxy
Application: repair of broken granite slabs and loading repairs.
Characteristics: will result in a very strong and durable bond.
Granite Repair Process as Outlined Below
1. Clean the granite; ensure that all moisture, grease, or dust has been removed.
• Acetone or alcohol are acceptable cleaning solutions.
2. Lay a dry fit of the broken granite pieces dry-run in a fixed position before application of the epoxy.
• Make sure all pieces fit together tightly.
3. Follow the manufacturer’s mixing ratio for mixing the epoxies.
• Ensure that the mixed epoxies are the same color.
4. Fill all cracks with epoxy or apply epoxy to all surfaces that are to be bonded evenly and without any bubbles.
5. Clamp or tape the granite using clamps to hold it in position until the epoxy sets.
• Maintain the required amount of pressure until the epoxy has cured 100%.
6. Allow the granite repairs to cure a minimum of 24 hours after installation of the epoxy.
• During this time do not cause excessive stress to the epoxy.
7. Sand and polish any surplus epoxy off of the surface of the granite to achieve a flat, even surface.
Typical Mistakes that Are Made When Using Epoxy
• Using any glue other than epoxy
• Failure to clean the granite surface before applying the epoxy
• Lack of attention to mixing the epoxy
• Not allowing sufficient time for the epoxy to cure
• Failure to match the final color of the epoxy with the granite to be repaired.
Repair Type Recommendation According to Type of Epoxy to be Used to Repair
• Hairline cracks – low viscosity epoxy
• Chips or pits – knife-grade epoxy
• Broken slab – structural epoxy
• Outside repairs – UV resistant epoxy.
To sum up, each individual granite repair will require its own type of epoxy, based on the type of repair. Specifically:
• A clear penetrating epoxy will be used to fill hairline cracks
• A knife grade epoxy will be used to fill chips and create a bond
• A structural epoxy will be used to repair heavy-duty repairs
Ultimately, if the product is of high quality and completes a seamless repair; it can restore the granite to near its original strength and appearance and therefore facilitate nearly “invisible” repairs.
