How to remove an ink stain from a newly installed Calacatta marble countertop?
Estimated Reading Time: 3 MinutesQ. My countertops were just installed and the tile guy left an ink pen on the island counter. It leaked and I now have a blue stain on my Calacatta marble slab. Any advice on how to remove it. I used acetone and alcohol. It did lighten up, but I can see that it is below the surface. I haven't sealed the stone yet, because it was just installed and would like to remove the stain before sealing.
A. Ink stains on marble can be tricky, so it’s great that you acted quickly. It's also a good idea that you postponed sealing for now. Marble is naturally porous. Ink can seep into the tiny pores and settle below the surface, which is why surface cleaning alone often isn’t enough to completely remove the stain. The fact that some of the stain has already lightened with acetone and alcohol is a positive sign. This means the ink is still responsive and hasn’t fully set into the stone.
Patience and the right approach are key. It’s always best to start your stain removal efforts with the gentlest methods first to avoid unnecessary damage to the stone. You’ve already started with acetone and alcohol, which is exactly the right approach. Did you use pure acetone? The reason we ask is that some people equate acetone with nail polish remover, but nail polish remover often contains additives that can harm the stone. Some nail polish removers do not even contain acetone.
NOTE: Follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions when using chemicals.
Use a soft, clean, white cloth to gently blot in small sections, which will help ensure you don't spread the ink over a larger area.
Repeat this process for as long as you see continued lightening of the discoloration. Sometimes several gentle applications can lift more ink. Always use a fresh cloth each time to prevent re-depositing the ink.
If the stain persists, the next step is a poultice. Poultices are designed to draw deep-set stains out of the stone over time. For marble, your poultice chemical will be a solvent such as mineral spirits or a commercial paint remover. You can mix this with a poultice powder like diatomaceous earth. You may need multiple applications, as deep ink stains rarely come out in just one attempt. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to mix and apply a poultice correctly, check out our free Stain Management App.
After about five poultice treatments, if there’s still no significant improvement, this is an unfortunate sign that the ink may have penetrated too deeply, and complete removal may not be possible. Professional stone restoration, involving grinding, honing, and polishing the marble might remove the stained portion of the stone to reveal the new, unstained stone underneath. To find a vetted PRO in your area, visit www.surfacecarepros.com and click on Find a PRO.
Assuming this stain can be removed, sealing your marble countertop is important to help inhibit future stains. The sealer will buy some time to wipe up a staining agent before it soaks into the stone. An appropriate, professional-grade sealer, applied correctly, will provide the best long-term protection. Your PRO can provide this service for you.
It seems like you have acted quickly and carefully, so chances are what you have done so far has minimized the stain before it has had a chance to set permanently. We feel like you may have a great shot at getting this stain completely removed using DIY methods.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fred Hueston is the Chief Technical Director at SurfaceCarePROS.com and Director at StoneForensics.com. He is also the author of Stone and Tile Restoration: The Manual, a comprehensive online manual for stone and tile restoration contractors. [Learn more about Fred.]