Helpful Information About Golden Lightning Granite

Golden Lightning is one of the names of granite you will find in our gallery. This is one of many different types of natural granite that people use for kitchen countertops and other surfaces. As with most granite, there are some specific features that Golden Lightning possesses. Additionally, there are some traits that make this granite unique. In this article, we won't go into too much detail about the unique qualities of Golden Lightning. We will mention some brief comments about the composition or the visual appearance or both, but the majority of this article will talk about working with Golden Lightning and how to take of it.

Why Golden Lightning Granite

One of the first things to contemplate when considering any granite surface is why people choose it. There are many reasons people select natural granite for kitchen countertops. Golden Lightning Granite has many of the benefits that virtually all natural granite offers. It does however, have some characteristics that make it what it is. And like many other stone surfaces knowing a bit about the composition can be helpful. The following quote was taken from the description of a photo written by a geologist about Golden Lightning.

This material from Iran has been identified as mylonitic epidote gneiss, but I don't see characteristics consistent with that assessment.

In addition to those basic comments, many other important facts about Golden Lightning are helpful to be aware of. We'll consider some additional helpful information about this remarkable natural stone.

What Golden Lightning Granite Is Made Of

As with most natural granite, Golden Lightning is a composition of primarily natural quartz and/or feldspar. It can contain other materials, but the main minerals are those in most cases.

The minerals that make up a Golden Lightning Granite slab give it some qualities that people are drawn to. Some of these qualities translate into practical properties for daily use and care.

Golden Lightning Properties

One of the big advantages of natural granite over other hard countertop surface materials is that it is very hard. Materials such as Golden Lightning Granite are scratch resistant because of the hardness of the material. Golden Lightning is also heat resistant. Unlike some engineered stone, granite can resist heat and does not burn or discolor.

Golden Lightning natural granite is also very unique. Not just unique from other stone, but it is also distinct from other Golden Lightning slabs. Choosing your specific slab is encouraged since each stone can vary one from another.

Fabricating Natural Golden Lightning Granite

What goes into working with and fabricating Golden Lightning Granite? Well, for most of us the project is bigger than we are equipped to take on. This is because Golden Lightning is such a hard material that ordinary tools aren't the best suited for working with it. For example, just drilling a hole in a Golden Lightning kitchen countertop slab will take a diamond core bit designed to cut through rock. Stone fabrication professionals have all this equipment. Therefore, the project is not only easier for them, but they have more experience actually working with granite. So, cutting, drilling, and installing Golden Lightning is much easier for them than it would be for a novice.

Even transporting Golden Lightning natural granite can be a challenge for the average person. Even handy individuals and do-it-yourselfers could find moving a piece of Golden Lightning Granite form point A to point B. Since Golden Lightning is heavy, it requires more than one person to move, lift, and adjust it. That doesn't even take into consideration the material handling equipment that one needs to transport it. Additionally, installing Golden Lightning will require a specific formulated and colored granite glue. These are all supplies that fabricators are familiar with and even already have.

Caring for Your Golden Lightning Surface

It's true, Golden Lightning Granite is a natural stone that came to be from intense heat and perhaps pressure. However, your Golden Lightning surface has undergone some treatments to prepare it for its place in your finished project. As a result, there are some basic facets of taking care of your Golden Lightning surfaces. They are not difficult and they will keep your Golden Lightning natural granite looking its best. There are two main methods for caring for your granite. We'll discuss them next.

Maintaining the Seal

Even before your surface arrived in your home it was being given treatments to prepare it for the "day in, day out" wear and tear that comes from normal household use. One of the treatments the surface underwent was an initial sealing. Granite slabs get sealed to make them less absorbent. Natural granite is porous. And some Golden Lightning Granite slabs are more porous than others. So slabs get an initial sealing to help them be more resistant to water-based and oil-based liquids that can penetrate the pores and stain them.

One of the parts of caring for your Golden Lightning surface includes periodically sealing the stone using a natural stone sealer. In the case of a Golden Lightning Granite kitchen countertop, you may want to choose a food safe granite sealer designed especially for eating surfaces. Treating the surface when the stone begins losing its repellent nature is the first part of the two-pronged care process.

Golden Lightning Cleaning

Besides keeping your Golden Lightning surfaces and countertops sealed properly, you will also need to use some cleaning techniques designed to yield the best results in your overall maintenance program. In so doing, you will find that there are a couple of aspects to cleaning Golden Lightning surfaces. The first aspect of cleaning granite is the everyday cleaning tasks. This kind of cleaning would include wiping up spills, splatters, and crumbs from the surface of the stone.

When daily cleaning is being performed, the best cleaner for the job is a pH neutral cleaner. Why us a pH neutral cleaner for natural stone? Because these cleaners do not break down the sealer. Some cleaners will simply remove the sealer that you use to treat the surface of the stone. When this happens it is as if the surface was never sealed in the first place. So, using the appropriate cleaner will retain the benefits you gain by using a natural stone sealer.

In addition to the daily cleaning of Golden Lightning, and particularly in the event that your sealer has been worn down or dissolved, you may find that you have to remove a stain of some sort. When this happens, you will need a different kind of cleaner. There are a number of specialty cleaners that are formulated to remove specific kinds of discolorations. These kinds of cleaners are often referred to as stain removers. Depending on the kind of stain or discoloration you have, you will need a remover made for that particular substance.

About Maintaining Golden Lightning

It really just boils down to putting together a regular routine of cleaning and sealing your natural Golden Lightning Granite surface. Once you get the routine into full swing, it just becomes second nature. A good routine for maintaining natural granite, including Golden Lightning, basically involves the following:

• Use a pH neutral cleaner to keep the sealer from breaking down and clean any debris from the surface.
• Reseal the surface of your granite surface when it gets "thirsty"*.
• Using a fortified stone polish periodically gradually maintains the sealer on the surface of the natural stone.

Golden Lightning Granite is a unique natural stone that will result in your design being truly unique. Your kitchen or other area will not only be appealing, but it will also be functional. Additionally, how you care for your Golden Lightning surface will play a role in how long it looks its best. However, for the best results, the install will most likely need to be handled by a professional fabrication company.