Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Care For My Cultured Marble or Granite?

Gloss Finish, The beauty of cultured marble/granite is the ease of cleaning and maintaining the new shiny look. To clean, just wipe with a soft cloth or sponge using a mild soap and water or a non-abrasive foam cleaner. To maintain your marble/granite luster, periodically apply a protective coat of wax. We recommend GelGloss™. It is like a furniture polish that should be applied every few months, depending on use. Boat or car wax is also a good means of protection.

Matte Finish, Use a soft sponge or cloth along with a mild soap and water. If desired you may use a very mild abrasive cleaner for this type of finish. You may also put a protective coat of wax with GelGloss™ on this type of finish.

Will My Cultured Marble or Granite Scratch?

All bathroom fixtures, of any type material, will scratch if it is purposely abused. Normal care and cleaning of cultured marble/granite products will ensure years of enjoyment and use. Avoid placing sharp abrasive objects on the surface; they will scratch.

Can Minor Scratches Be Removed?

Gloss Finish, Yes. Fine scratches can be removed with automotive paint buffing compound and a hand held polisher. A company technician should take care of deeper scratches.

Matte Finish, These textures will not show minor scratches.

What If My Cultured Marble or Granite Gets Chipped Or Has A Major Scratch?

Cultured marble/granite is very rugged with a hard waterproof, stain proof surface. If it should scratch or chip, repairs can be made by a company technician. Sometimes all that is needed is sanding and polishing. Other times the chip must be filled with the same material it was originally made with. Both of these procedures require a person with the knowledge and tools needed.

What Is Certified Marble or Granite?

Many cultured marble/granite shops have their products tested regularly by a testing laboratory for compliance with ANSI specifications. This is an expensive test that is done to insure the product the marble/granite manufacturer is making will be a durable, high quality product that the customer can enjoy for many years. The marble/granite is tested for stain resistance, scratch resistance, impact strength, and susceptibility to hot and cold water. Whirlpool tubs are tested further for proper drainage and hair entrapment. A label will be attached to the product showing the product meets or exceeds all specifications.

Can I Install My Own Marble or Granite?

Vanity tops can be installed by the homeowner. They are heavy and usually require two people. We have instructions available on how to do it. Whirlpool tubs and shower systems require more skill but yet some homeowners elect to do it. It is a cut-and-fit process that requires special tools and, although possible, it is recommended that skilled installers install our products.

Why Use Cultured Marble or Granite Instead of Tile For Showers?

Cultured marble/granite panels and shower pans are solid pieces with no grout lines to clean or keep sealed. The seams are sealed with a mildew resistant 100% silicone caulk that requires little in the way of maintenance. Also, building structures will shift with the change of temperatures, this may cause grout lines to crack and crumble. This problem is avoided with the use of cultured marble/granite.

Why Use Cultured Marble or Granite Instead of Acrylic Inserts For Showers?

First, cultured marble/granite showers are constructed solid and strong with very little give and flexibility. Therefore, over time they do not have a tendency to crack or leak as an acrylic insert does. Secondly, cultured marble/granite wall panels come separate from the base and thus are easier to maneuver than a bulky one piece shower insert. Cultured marble/granite can be custom made to fit nearly anywhere.

What Is Crazing?

Crazing is tiny hairline cracks around the drain that become progressively worse over time. Crazing is a problem that happened with cultured marble several years ago. Today, with the advancement of technologies in equipment and raw materials, crazing has virtually been eliminated. Also, the testing done by product testing labs ensures that the product has maximum resistance to crazing. With the technology changes and product testing, crazing should not be a problem for tens of years.

Will My Cultured Marble or Granite Stain Easily?

Cultured marble/granite is thoroughly tested to resist stains from ink, hair dye, shoe polish, iodine, crayons, bleach, drain cleaners, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and many other products commonly found in bathrooms.

When A Potential Staining Substance Is Spilled, What Do I Do?

Gloss Finish, Simply rinse the area with soap and water and wipe the clean.

Matte Finish, Rinse with soap and water and wipe area clean. If stain is still visible apply an abrasive cleaner (Ajax or Soft Scrub) and rub out or use a Scotch Pad with a light rubbing motion until the stain is removed.

How Can A Rust Spot Near My Sink Drain Be Removed?

Most rust or mineral deposits can be removed with off-the-shelf cleaners from your local hardware store. Apply as stated on the label until buildup is removed.

What if the length or depth vary from my order?

Length & depth may vary slightly from your order. Cultured marble shrinks when it is curing therefore exact sizes are not possible. When making our tops, they are set-up ¼” to ½” larger than your order to allow for shrinkage. We cannot control the shrinkage and therefore the sizes and bowl placement may vary 1/8” to ¼”. This is not a defect but rather a reality in the cultured marble industry.

Is Your Showroom Open To The Public?

Yes! The Central Marble Products showroom is open Monday to Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Friday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. We will be happy to answer your questions, offer ideas and assist with product selection. For pricing you will need to work through your builder, cabinetmaker, installer or plumber.

Care & Maintenance

Instructions For Care of Your Cultured Marble, Cultured Onyx or Cultured Granite Products:

Gloss Finish - ONLY

To clean your high gloss finish product: Wipe with a soft cloth or sponge using a mild soap and water or use a non-abrasive foam cleaner. Do not use abrasive cleaners. They may damage the high gloss surface.

To make cleaning your high gloss product easier and to maintain luster, periodic applications of GEL-GLOSS™ or a car/boat wax should be applied.

To remove fine scratches, scuff marks or light stains from your high gloss product use an automotive paint buffing compound or baking soda and a hand held polisher. A company technician should take care of deeper scratches.

Matte Finish - ONLY

To clean your matte finish product: Wipe with a soft cloth or sponge using a mild soap and water. If desired, you may use a very mild abrasive cleaner for this type of finish.

You may also put a protective coat of wax with GEL-GLOSS™ on this type of finish. To remove fine scratches, scuff marks or light stains from your matte finish product use a (very fine) scotch pad.

Two Year Limited Warranty

CENTRAL MARBLE PRODUCTS, INC. warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of two years from the date of manufacture.

DO NOT install your top if you find defects in the top. Installation is not covered by warranty.

This warranty is void when the product is damaged in transit, or as the result of improper installation, careless usage, or hot water temperature in excess of 160° F.

This warranty DOES NOT apply to the following:

1. Chips or cracks in product surface, unless caused by defects in materials or workmanship.
2. Minor imperfections, warpage, and variations in shade or veining between sample and finished product.
3. Replacement caulk joints: Due to the nature of the product, caulk joints will need to be inspected, maintained and replaced by the consumer as needed.

This warranty extends only to replacement cost of this product. Cost of removal, reinstallation or consequential damage are not warrantied. CENTRAL MARBLE PRODUCTS, INC. extends this warranty only to the first consumer purchaser of our products.