Marble is a beautiful but delicate material: over time it loses its shine, micro-scratches appear, stains form, and there are "worn" areas. Professional marble polishing restores the luster and evens out the surface, but "how long does it take?" depends on the area, condition, and technology (e.g., diamond grinding of marble and crystallization). Below we provide realistic guidelines and a brief action plan.
What does the polishing time depend on
• Space and access. The more square meters and furniture, the more preparation and walkthroughs.
• Condition of the stone. Deep scratches/acid stains require more steps and abrasives.
• Technology and equipment. Machine polishing of marble floors with diamond pads is faster and more even compared to hand polishing of marble on details (thresholds, edges).
• Finish and protection. Crystallization and/or impregnation add time, but keep the result longer.
Key terms that clients often ask: how to polish marble, cleaning and polishing marble, marble polishing price, diamond grinding of marble.
Guidelines by type of work
• Small area (entrance/hallway up to 10–15 m²): 2–4 hours with preparation, machine processing (rough → medium → fine), polishing, and quick crystallization.
• Living room/office 20–40 m²: 4–8 hours depending on the condition; often 1 working day.
• Heavily worn marble (marble stairs/foyer): 1–2 days — more stages for leveling steps and edges, additional manual processing.
• Details and edges (sills, thresholds): +30–60 min./linear meter depending on the profile and access.
Important: The time almost always includes cleaning before polishing, dust protection, and final washing. A good practice is to apply a marble impregnation (stain protection) at the end, which adds another 30–90 minutes depending on the area and the product.
How the process unfolds
1. Inspection and test area. The team examines the depth of scratches/matte areas and conducts a trial pass..
2. Preparation and cleaning. Moving/covering furniture, dust protection, degreasing the surface.
3. Diamond grinding of marble. Step-by-step process with pads (coarse → fine) until the pattern is leveled and defects disappear.
4. Polishing and crystallization. Gloss is extracted; if necessary — impregnation for stain resistance.
5. Final cleaning and instructions. Drying, light inspection, maintenance tips.
Useful reading for process planning:
– How to order a service on Ofertirai.me?
– Why do the services at Ofertirai.me start with a question instead of a fixed offer?
How long does it "dry" and when can it be walked on
With standard machine polishing and crystallization, the surface is suitable for walking on almost immediately (after final drying). For impregnation, it is recommended to wait 2–6 hours before normal traffic and 24 hours for complete hardening of the protection (guideline; follow the product/team instructions).
How to shorten the object's time
• Free up maximum space and pre-store small items/rugs.
• Ensure access to water/electricity and parking for the equipment.
• Specify stains (wine, juice, acids) and old products — this guides the choice of abrasives/agents.
• After polishing — do not wash with acidic cleaners; use pH-neutral cleaners.
DIY or professional?
Homemade pastes "refresh," but they do not remove micro-scratches and "stepped" patterns. Without experience, it is easy to "burn" the surface or leave halos. Professional cleaning and polishing of marble with the correct speeds, pressure, and pads provides an even shine and a longer-lasting result. And it is often faster: one team can accomplish in a day what DIY attempts stretch over an entire weekend..
Brief order and budget plan
1. Send 3–6 photos (overall plan + details) and approximate square meters.
2. Please specify the type of marble (if you know), age, and any known stains/acid spills.
3. Request a quote with stages and time: diamond grinding, polishing, crystallization, impregnation.
4. Compare 2–3 proposals regarding execution time, warranty, and maintenance afterwards.
For more security in your choice, review:
10 important questions to ask the contractor before starting the project
– Small Repairs – Big Difference: Why Prevention is Cheaper than Repair
Conclusion
Most often, polishing marble for home areas can be completed in a single workday. Larger or more worn spaces require more passes and time, but the right technology shortens the process and extends the results. Take photos, describe the condition, and compare quotes — professionals will restore that characteristic marble shine without unnecessary cuts and surprises..