Granite Polish Guide: How to Bring Back the Shine on Floors and Countertops

Granite does not lose its shine the way marble does. It is far harder, so a dull granite floor or countertop is usually covered in something, such as soap film, wax build-up or hard-water deposits, rather than worn away. That is why the first step is often a proper clean, and why the right granite polish depends on whether the surface is dirty, worn, scratched or simply lighter in colour than it used to be.

This guide explains the types of granite polish, which one suits your floor or countertop, and how to bring back the shine on black and dark granite. It is written by Flagstone Fix, the stone-care brand of Zyax Chem Pvt Ltd and an authorised partner of Faber Italy Tile & Stone Care. Every product mentioned is in our polishing and finishing and waxing ranges.

Quick answer: which granite polish should you buy?

First, find out why your granite is dull

• Film from household cleaners. Soap, floor-cleaning liquids with polymers and dish soap leave a layer that clouds the shine. Strip it with an alkaline deep cleaner such as FABER 30 2.0; the shine often comes straight back.
• White halos and hazy patches. Hard-water deposits around sinks and in bathrooms. Clean them off and use a countertop cream that resists limescale halos.
• Grey, washed-out colour on black granite. Often old wax, dust in the pores or a honed finish. A liquid wax or colour enhancer brings the deep colour back.
• Visible scratches, lippage or a rough surface. The polish has been ground away. This needs diamond grinding and re-polishing by a professional, then a polishing cream to finish.

See how to bring back the shine on a granite floor for the full restoration process.

Types of granite polish

Granite polishing creams for floors

Faber Star Shine is a water-based polishing cream made for granite. It gives a glass-like shine and seals the tiny pores opened up by grinding, so the floor picks up less dirt afterwards. It works indoors and outdoors and is applied dry: put a small amount on the floor and buff with a white pad on a single-disc machine. It restores gloss without re-grinding when the surface is still smooth. Faber gives 50–70 m² per kg.

For floors that mix granite borders with marble or quartz, a granite-only product leaves the other stone dull. Use Faber Universal Glossy, a polishing cream for marble, granite, travertine, limestone, quartz and agglomerates in one go, or Faber Alpha Gloss, a water-based polishing fluid for marble, granite, terrazzo and agglomerates. Faber Buff N Shine, an acid-free crystalliser, keeps previously polished granite and marble floors bright. More on polishing inlay floors.

Polishing waxes for countertops, walls and dark granite

Waxes add a thin protective layer that deepens colour and adds shine. Faber Liquid Wax is a solvent-based polishing wax that enhances colour and brightness, reaches edges and uneven areas, and adds water and stain resistance. Flagstone Fix Liquid Wax is a fast-drying liquid wax that leaves no residue, works with automatic waxing machines and is ideal for dark-coloured granite. Faber Multishine is a silicone polishing wax for polished or honed stone that also hides micro-scratches.

For surfaces nobody walks on, such as walls, countertops and worktops, Faber Solid Wax and the water-based H2O SOLID WAX give a high shine. Faber Lux One is a self-polishing resin for edges, corners and columns that are hard to polish by machine. For kitchen tops, Faber Top Care is a maintenance cream that lifts the shine and reduces limescale build-ups.

How to polish black granite

Black granite (Absolute Black, Black Galaxy, Rajasthan Black and similar) shows every film and smear, and can fade to grey. First clean off any residue with an alkaline cleaner and let it dry fully. On polished black granite, buff on a thin coat of Flagstone Fix Liquid Wax: see reviving dull black and dark granite with liquid wax. To deepen the colour while keeping the polish, use Faber Modifier Plus, a colour enhancer for marble and granite certified food-contact safe after curing. On flamed, leathered or honed black granite, Flagstone Fix Darkener Plus X gives a deep wet look; see bringing back the colour of flamed granite.

How to polish a granite floor with a cream

1. Deep clean. Remove all film and dirt with FABER 30 2.0, rinse well and let the floor dry completely.
2. Test. Try the polish on a small, hidden area first.
3. Apply a little. Put a small amount of cream directly on a section of about half a square metre at a time (about one square metre for Faber Alpha Gloss).
4. Buff dry. Buff with a white pad on a single-disc machine until the cream disappears and the shine comes up. Use a soft cloth on small areas.
5. Remove residue with a clean pad or cloth and move on, overlapping slightly.
6. Maintain it. Mop with FABER SOAP, which raises the sheen as it cleans, or a pH-neutral cleaner such as Faber Algafloor.

Work out how much polish or wax you need with the coverage calculator.

Keep granite shining longer

• Avoid dish soap, vinegar and all-purpose cleaners with polymers or wax; they build up a dull film.
• Wipe up oil, turmeric and tea quickly on lighter granites, which are more absorbent.
• Seal light-coloured and honed granite so spills stay on the surface: see sealing honed granite and Kota and our granite sealer guide.
• Use a granite-safe cleaner every day. Our granite cleaners are made for stone and leave no film.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best polish for granite?

For floors, a granite polishing cream such as Faber Star Shine, buffed with a white pad, gives a glass-like shine. For countertops and walls, a polishing wax such as Faber Solid Wax or Faber Liquid Wax. For black granite, a liquid wax or a colour enhancer brings back the deep colour.

Why has my granite lost its shine?

Usually because something is covering it: soap or cleaner film, old wax, or hard-water deposits. Granite is very hard, so it is rarely worn dull. Deep clean first; if it is still dull or scratched, it needs polishing.

How do I make black granite shine again?

Clean off any film with an alkaline cleaner, let it dry, then buff on a thin coat of a liquid wax made for dark granite, such as Flagstone Fix Liquid Wax. A colour enhancer such as Faber Modifier Plus deepens the colour further.

Can I polish granite at home?

Yes, on a smooth but dull surface: a polishing cream or wax and a buffing machine or soft cloth are enough. Deep scratches and uneven tiles need diamond grinding by a professional.

Is marble polish safe on granite?

Marble polishing powders are made for calcareous stone and do little on granite. Use a granite polishing cream, or a universal product such as Faber Universal Glossy on floors that mix marble and granite.

Buy granite polish from Flagstone Fix

Flagstone Fix supplies the Faber Italy granite care range to homes, hotels, builders and facility teams across India. Browse our polishing and finishing and waxing ranges, use the Product Finder, or ask for bulk pricing. For marble, see our marble polish guide. Not sure what your granite needs? Send a photo on WhatsApp at +91 87792 40420.

Products mentioned in this guide

Faber Star ShineFaber Star Shine Polishing Cream for GraniteView product →Faber Universal GlossyFaber Universal Glossy Polishing Cream for Natural StoneView product →Faber Alpha GlossFaber Alpha Gloss Polishing Fluid for Marble, Granite & Natural StoneView product →Faber Solid WaxFaber Solid Wax for natural stone polishingView product →H2O Solid WaxH2O Solid Wax for Marble & GraniteView product →Faber Top CareFaber Top Care Countertop Maintenance Cream for Marble & Natural StoneView product →