If you’ve had your granite countertops for a few years, you might notice they don’t look as crisp and glossy as the day they were installed. Maybe there’s a hazy film around the sink, a few tiny chips on the edge, or stubborn marks that don’t seem to budge. That’s when most homeowners ask:
Can granite countertops be refinished, or do I have to replace them?
Short answer: yes, granite countertops can be refinished—and in most cases, that’s a much smarter move than replacing them.
Unlike softer rocks such as shale, which crumble and flake and are completely unsuitable for kitchen surfaces, granite stone is dense, durable, and refinishable. With the right process, you can deep clean, fix minor damage, polish, and reseal your granite so it looks refreshed and renewed.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How granite’s geology makes refinishing possible
- When refinishing is a good idea (and when it’s not)
- Step-by-step how to refinish granite countertops
- How to handle stains like soap scum and Sharpie
- How granite compares to quartz, marble, soapstone, and concrete
- Where Aardwolf granite products fit into your long-term countertop plan
Understanding Granite Stone Before You Refinish
Granite geology and composition
Granite is an intrusive igneous rock, formed when magma cools slowly underground. That slow cooling gives time for big, visible crystals to grow—typically:
- Quartz – very hard and resistant to scratches
- Feldspar – controls much of the white, cream, or pink background
- Mica and accessory minerals – create dark flecks and subtle shimmer
These minerals give the core characteristics of granite:
- High hardness and durability
- Excellent heat resistance
- Slight natural porosity (it can absorb liquids without proper sealing)
- Ability to take a high, reflective polish
All of this makes granite ideal for kitchens and bathrooms—and very different from sedimentary rocks like shale, which are soft, layered, and would fall apart in a countertop environment.
Natural vs. engineered granite (quartz)
A quick note on natural vs. engineered granite:
- Natural granite = real stone quarried in slabs, each completely unique.
- Quartz countertops = engineered surfaces made from crushed stone, resins, and pigments.
This guide focuses on natural granite countertops, because those are the surfaces you can refinish, repair, and reseal for decades of use.
Can Granite Countertops Be Refinished?
Yes. Granite can absolutely be refinished. Refinishing usually means a combination of:
- Deep cleaning to restore clean granite countertops
- Removing stains from granite
- Repairing chips in granite and minor fissures
- Polishing granite surfaces to restore shine
- Sealing granite so it resists future stains and dullness
Sometimes a light refinish is enough (clean, polish, seal). Older or heavily used countertops may need a full restoration, as detailed in this excellent resource on
how to restore granite countertops.
Refinishing is almost always more affordable than replacement, and it lets you keep the stone you already love.
When Should You Refinish Your Granite Countertops?
Consider refinishing if you notice:
- Overall dullness or a cloudy appearance
- Light scratches and surface wear
- Persistent soap film or water spots around sinks
- Small chips along front edges or near corners
- Stains from markers, food, or cleaning products
However, refinishing may not be enough if:
- The granite is cracked all the way through
- The countertop has structural issues or failing support
- You dislike the color or overall layout
In those cases, replacement might be the better long-term choice—but even then, understanding refinishing helps you maintain your next stone investment.
Step-By-Step: How to Refinish Granite Countertops
Step 1: Clear and inspect the surface
Remove everything from the counters—appliances, decor, dish racks—so you can see all of the stone. Look for:
- Stains
- Chips or pits
- Etched or rough patches
- Areas of heavy haze or buildup
This inspection helps you decide how extensive your refinishing will be.
Step 2: Deep clean for truly clean granite countertops
You can’t polish or seal over grease, soap scum, or mineral buildup. Start with a thorough, pH-neutral clean:
- Dust and wipe
Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove crumbs and loose grit. - Wash with a stone-safe cleaner
- Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, or
- Use a cleaner labeled safe for natural stone.
- Rinse well
Wipe again with clean water to remove any soapy residue. - Dry completely
Buff dry with a fresh microfiber cloth.
If you’re dealing with cloudy rings or residue around sinks or in bathrooms, that’s often soap film or hard water. Use this specialized guide to tackle it:
👉 How to remove soap scum from granite
Once everything is dry and residue-free, you’ll see clearly where refinishing needs to focus.
Step 3: Remove stains from granite
Before polishing, address any stains so you’re not sealing them in.
Common stains include:
- Coffee, tea, wine, or juice
- Oil and grease
- Soap scum and mineral deposits
- Ink or permanent marker (Sharpie)
For marker and Sharpie stains, follow the steps here:
👉 How to get Sharpie off granite
For deeper stains, you may need a poultice—a paste that draws the stain out of the stone over several hours. Tackle these now so your later polishing and sealing create a crisp, even finish.
Step 4: Repairing chips in granite
Even though granite is extremely durable, edges and corners can chip from heavy impacts.
Small chip repair (DIY):
- Clean and dry the chipped area thoroughly.
- Use a clear or color-matched stone epoxy.
- Fill the chip slightly above the surface level.
- Allow it to cure fully, according to instructions.
- If the kit allows, carefully level the area and lightly polish.
For larger chips, cracks that cross seams, or damage near sinks, a professional stone restorer is a smart investment.
Step 5: Polishing granite surfaces
Now, it’s time to bring back that smooth, reflective shine.
For light to moderate dullness:
- Use a granite-specific polishing compound or cream.
- Apply a thin, even layer across a small section.
- Buff with a clean microfiber cloth in overlapping circles until the surface looks bright again.
If your counters are heavily etched, scratched, or uneven in gloss, consider hiring a professional to hone and polish with diamond abrasives. For a more in-depth approach to restoring shine, see:
👉 How to refinish granite countertops
This resource pairs perfectly with a full-scale refinishing project.
Step 6: Sealing granite to protect your work
Once your granite is clean, repaired, and polished, sealing granite is essential.
- Test for absorption
Place a few drops of water on the stone. If it darkens within a few minutes, the surface needs sealer. - Apply a penetrating sealer
- Use a soft cloth or applicator.
- Work in small sections to ensure full coverage.
- Let it dwell
Allow the sealer to soak in for the recommended time. - Wipe and buff
Remove excess sealer and buff the surface until it feels smooth—not sticky or streaky. - Allow to cure
Avoid heavy use and standing water until the sealer is fully cured (see product label).
Proper sealing makes clean granite countertops much easier to maintain and slows down future staining and dullness.
Granite Countertop Cost: Refinish vs Replace
One of the biggest reasons to refinish is cost.
- Refinishing is usually a fraction of the cost of replacement, especially if your stone is structurally sound.
- Replacing involves new material, fabrication, removal of the old counters, and installation—costs that add up quickly.
If you like your current layout and the overall color of your granite, refinishing is usually the best value. But if you’re dreaming of a new look:
- Visit local showrooms to see new white granite countertop and black granite countertops options.
- Compare granite countertop cost across big-box stores, fabricators, and wholesale granite suppliers.
- Look for affordable granite countertop options if you’re remodeling on a budget.
Granite vs Quartz Countertops & Other Materials
Refinishing naturally raises the question: should you keep granite or switch to something else?
Granite vs quartz countertops
- Granite
- Natural stone, each slab unique
- Needs periodic sealing
- Strong heat resistance
- Can be repaired, repolished, and refinished
- Quartz
- Engineered stone (quartz + resin)
- Non-porous, no sealing needed
- Less tolerant of high heat
- Damage can be harder to repair invisibly
Granite vs marble: pros and cons
- Marble is softer and more prone to etching and staining.
- Granite is harder, more forgiving, and usually better for busy family kitchens.
Granite vs soapstone durability
- Soapstone is very stain-resistant but scratches and dents more easily.
- Granite holds a polished finish longer and resists scratching better.
Granite better than concrete countertops?
- Concrete is porous, prone to cracking, and heavily dependent on sealers.
- Granite is naturally strong and dense, making it easier to maintain over time.
In almost any natural stone countertop comparison, granite remains one of the most balanced choices for performance, beauty, and long-term value.
Aardwolf Granite: Refinishing and New Installations
If refinishing your existing countertops inspires you to add an island or expand your workspace, the Aardwolf granite countertop collection can help you blend old and new.
- Aardwolf premium granite slabs are carefully selected for structural quality and attractive patterns.
- The collection includes many of the best Aardwolf granite colors, from soft neutrals to bold statement stones.
- With Aardwolf granite installation services, you get professional templating, cutting, seams, and correct initial sealing.
- The Aardwolf granite pricing guide helps you understand the cost ranges so you can match the right stone to your budget.
Combining refinishing on existing tops with well-chosen new Aardwolf slabs can give your kitchen or bath a cohesive, high-end look without a full tear-out.
Final Thoughts: Yes, Granite Countertops Can Be Refinished
Unlike fragile rocks like shale, granite stone is built to last—and built to be refinished.
To recap, can granite countertops be refinished?
✅ Yes. With the right process, you can:
- Deep clean and de-film the surface
- Use targeted methods to remove stains from granite (including soap scum and Sharpie)
- Repair chips in granite edges and corners
- Polish granite surfaces back to a rich, glossy finish
- Seal granite to protect it for years to come
For more detailed workflows, pair this article with: