MB-11 Deep Etch Repair Kit with Flexi Diamond Pads

The MB-11 Deep Etch Repair Kit is for etch marks that are too deep for polishing powder alone. If you run a fingertip or fingernail over the mark and it feels rough, the surface needs to be refined with diamond pads first, then polished with MB-11.

What’s in the kit

• Flexi HD 6″ 150mm diamond pads x 4: 400 Red, 800 Blue, 1500 Yellow and 3000 Green. Flexible, 5mm thick open-weave pads for marble, limestone, travertine and terrazzo. They can be used wet or dry and fit any velcro backing pad for 5″ or 6″ machines.
• MB-11 Marble Etch Remover & Polishing Powder, 100 g tub: to finish by hand and bring back the polish. A 100 g tub treats about 20 small etch marks, each about the size of a 10p coin.
• Micro Fibre Buffing Cloths x 2: one to apply MB-11, one to buff dry.
• TileMaster Cleaner No.2, 250 ml Ready to Use: pH-neutral natural stone cleaner for the clean-up.

You will also need (not included): a hand machine such as a Flex or DeWalt polisher, or any orbital sander, with a suitable 5″ or 6″ hook-and-loop (velcro) backing pad. The Flexi pads cannot be used by hand. TileMaster does not currently sell a hand machine or backing pad.

Who it suits

Rough etch marks on polished marble, travertine and limestone, for anyone with a hand machine or orbital sander. For light etch marks and water rings that feel smooth, the MB-11 Marble Etch & Water Ring Kit does the job by hand.

Suitable surfaces

• Polished, light-coloured marble
• Travertine and limestone
• Other calcite-based stone

How to use

Deep etch: diamond pads on a hand machine

1. You need a hand machine. The Flexi HD 6″ pads cannot be used by hand. Fit them to a hand machine such as a Flex or DeWalt polisher, or any orbital sander, with a suitable 5″ or 6″ hook-and-loop (velcro) backing pad. Machine and backing pad not included.
2. Prepare the area. Wear gloves. Mask any metal trims, taps and silicone near where you will be polishing. Work in small sections.
3. Start with the 400 grit (red). For noticeable etching or matt patches, start at 400. Keep the surface damp to control dust and slurry (the Flexi pads can be used wet or dry).
4. Work through the grits. Go 400 → 800 → 1500 → 3000, rinsing and wiping away the slurry between grits. Use light, even pressure with overlapping passes, and keep the pad flat and moving.
5. Finish with MB-11. Once the area feels smooth again, finish by hand with MB-11 to bring back the polish (steps below).

Finish: MB-11 by hand

1. Wear gloves. Always wear gloves when using MB-11.
2. Check the etch. Run a fingertip or fingernail over the mark. If it feels smooth, it is a light etch and MB-11 by hand is the right method. If it feels rough, use the Flexi diamond pads first (Step 1 above).
3. Test first. Test on a small, hidden area first to check compatibility.
4. Apply MB-11. Put about 1/8 teaspoon of MB-11 directly on the etch mark.
5. Mist with water. Spray with clean water so the powder is good and wet.
6. Rub firmly. Fold a microfibre cloth and rub the wet powder firmly in a circular motion, then in fast straight strokes, easing off the pressure as you finish.
7. Clean off with Cleaner No.2. Spray the area with Cleaner No.2 (250 ml Ready to Use, straight from the bottle) and wipe the residue away.
8. Buff dry. Buff the area dry with a second, clean microfibre cloth. Do not use the cloth you used to apply MB-11.
9. Inspect and repeat if needed. Check the area and repeat the process as necessary.

Always test on a small, inconspicuous area first.

Stopping etching coming back

Can I stop etch marks coming back? Not with anything you can apply yourself. A sealer such as All in One helps against everyday staining, but no sealer stops acids etching marble. For permanent protection against etching, our sister company AntiEtch offers MORE AntiEtch®, which they describe as “a UV-cured clear coating for marble and natural stone”. Their team applies it professionally on site. It is a premium service, not a product you can apply yourself. Find out more at antietch.co.uk.

Safety

Wear gloves and safety glasses, use in a well-ventilated area and avoid contact with eyes and skin. Do not ingest. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Follow your machine manufacturer’s instructions. Always read the product labels and Safety Data Sheets before use.

Full directions and safety information are in the How To Use and Safety tabs. For the full method, see our guide: How to Remove Etch Marks and Water Rings from Marble.