Colour Enhancer for Polished Granite

Polished black and dark granite should look deep and rich. Over time, cleaning chemicals and wear can leave it looking greyish and washed out, and the same happens with dark quartz and porcelain slabs. Choosing a colour enhancer for polished granite needs care, because many enhancers are made for absorbent stone, and some are not suitable for polished surfaces at all.

For compact surfaces you need an enhancer formulated to work on low-absorbing materials. This guide is for homeowners, fabricators and contractors dealing with polished granite floors, cladding, vanity tops and slabs. We use Faber Packed-S, a solvent-based colour enhancer for low-absorbing materials.

Colour enhancer for polished granite: Faber Packed-S

What Faber Packed-S is (and when to use it)

Faber Packed-S is a solvent-based, stain-resistant, colour-enhancing treatment formulated for compact and low-absorbing surfaces. The data sheet recommends it when you need to deepen the shade of porcelain slabs, quartz and polished natural stone. It does not create a film on the surface, so the stone keeps its own finish; the treatment itself is described as matt.

Benefits listed are strong colour enhancement, good stain-resistant properties and no yellowing over time. It can be used indoors and outdoors.

Suitable surfaces include granite, limestone, marble, travertine, craquelé ceramic, marble-resin and quartz-resin agglomerates, glazed, natural and structured porcelain slabs, basalt and clinker.

When not to use it: on wet or humid surfaces, on overheated surfaces, or before the adhesive and grout on new work have cured. The data sheet does not state food-contact certification, so for kitchen worktops ask us before using it.

What you need

Faber Packed-S (1 litre or 5 litre bottle)
Lambswool applicator, roller or cloth
Cotton cloths for residue removal
For large areas: single-disc machine or hand polisher with a wool or felt pad
Masking tape for walls, sinks and fittings
White spirit for cleaning tools
Solvent-resistant gloves, eye protection and a suitable mask

Step-by-step: How to use a colour enhancer for polished granite

Clean thoroughly. Remove all dust, dirt and any old wax or grease film. For de-waxing, the data sheet names Faber DEC 21 and/or Faber Decera/P.
Dry completely. Never apply on wet or humid surfaces.
Check temperature. The surface should be between +5 and +40°C and not overheated.
Protect surroundings. Mask anything you are not treating.
Test. Try it on an unexposed area or offcut and check the depth of colour.
Apply a thin, even layer with a lambswool applicator, roller or cloth. Coverage is about 20 to 30 m² per litre.
Even out after 5 to 10 minutes. Before it is absorbed, spread any residues so the result is seamless.
Remove all residues after 20 to 30 minutes. Use a cotton cloth. On larger areas, use a single-disc machine or hand polisher with a wool or felt pad. This step prevents an oily surface.
For deeper colour, wait longer. You can extend the residue removal to a maximum of 45 to 60 minutes so the product settles deeper. Removal will be harder.
Dry and reopen. Faber Packed-S dries within 1 to 2 hours. Resume use after 4 to 6 hours. Clean tools with white spirit.

Tips and common mistakes

Residue removal matters most on dense stone. The data sheet stresses removing residues thoroughly to avoid oiliness.
Work in manageable areas so you can get back to remove residues within the 20 to 30 minute window.
Don’t confuse it with enhancers for absorbent stone. For absorbent, non-polished stone, products such as Faber Croma-S are designed for that job.
If the stone already has a water-resistant sealer, wait until it is completely dry before applying Faber Packed-S.
For cleaning afterwards the data sheet suggests Faber Neugel or Faber Algafloor daily and FABER 30 or Faber Deterfug for heavy-duty cleaning.

Safety and storage

Faber Packed-S is solvent-based with a flash point below 21°C, so treat it as highly flammable. Keep away from flames, sparks and heat. No smoking.
Use suitable PPE and follow the product safety data sheet. Ventilate well and avoid breathing vapours.
Keep children and pets out of the area until dry.
Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place. Shelf life is 36 months in the original sealed packaging.

Frequently asked questions

Can Faber Packed-S be used on quartz countertops?

The data sheet lists quartz-resin agglomerates and recommends Faber Packed-S for deepening the shade of quartz. It does not state food-contact certification, so check with us before using it on a kitchen worktop.

Will it leave a glossy film on my granite?

No. Faber Packed-S does not create a film on the surface. Its own finish is matt, so the polish you see remains the stone’s own.

Why do I have to remove the residues?

On compact surfaces, leftover product causes oiliness. The data sheet says to remove residues thoroughly after 20 to 30 minutes, or up to 45 to 60 minutes for a deeper colour.

Need help?

Buy Faber Packed-S, a colour enhancer for polished granite, quartz and porcelain slabs, from Flagstone Fix, or book our Colour Enhancer Application service. Send a photo of your granite on WhatsApp at +91 87792 40420.