From your phone calls: What tools should I use and what procedure should I choose if I want to sand the lettering on a monument myself?

 

I was contacted by a gentleman who was determined to try polishing a headstone – a monument with incorrect lettering. It was likely a grammatical error or an incorrect date. 

 

Since our consulting services are used by customers very frequently, I have an established procedure to first create a profile of the craftsman on the other end of the phone. Is it a DIYer? Is it a more experienced craftsman, or is it someone in a situation where they aren't afraid to just give it a try? Based on this information, I choose the method of communication and try to explain the whole situation as clearly as possible, describing it the way experienced masters do. We also evaluate the situation together, and if the project appears too demanding or risky, I recommend a suitable craftsman in the area. 

 

 

 

 

Let's go back to the phone call. After a short conversation, I find that the technical equipment is not sufficient for such a project. The gentleman only has an angle grinder, which is truly inadequate for this work, and at the same time, minimal experience with stone processing. From this point on, the investment in this action starts to be counted in hundreds of euros. Crucially, however, polishing a stone surface is a truly demanding process, and in this case, achieving a flat surface, beautiful color, and high gloss requires more than just quality tools.

 

In addition to the above, this situation is more than strange. The gentleman decided on this step after consultation with a stonemason. Again, I try to explain to him that this will not be good, and I start to focus on the words of the stonemason he communicated with. I learn that this "entrepreneur," who from this moment on is not right to call a stonemason, tried to convince the client that it would be cheaper to buy a new monument than to repair the old one. This was only because the "entrepreneur" had absolutely no technical equipment to solve the problem.

 

I admit, it does not leave me calm when I see someone who puts STONEMASON on their business card trying to profit from the ignorance of an average person. I explain to the gentleman on the other end of the phone line: "Unfortunately, nowadays, not every stonemason is the same. Approach a stonemason in your area who has a workshop, not just a showroom." I find out where he is from and dictate several company names in the area where they can solve his problem.  

 

I personally know almost every stone processor in the country, but I know only one who can perfectly grind down lettering and polish a monument with a manual stonemason's polisher. It is a process that is done on a radial arm polishing machine and definitely using water. 

• Even if I advised the gentleman on the phone to use the best dry polishing set, along with a grinding wheel, he would exceed the amount of 170 euros, which is really not a cheap solution.
• Grinding down text on a granite slab, which can have a depth of up to 5 millimeters, while maintaining a level surface is extremely difficult for a person without experience.
• Polishing such a large area without better technical equipment is very difficult if the result is to be at a higher level. Dry polishing is not entirely suitable for polishing larger and such demanding surfaces. This issue is mentioned in more detail in the article Polishing granite in domestic conditions

A headstone – a monument of a simple shape, with an error in the text and made of Bahama material, is in an installed state in the cemetery. Most likely, a mistake occurred during the stone carving. Whether the customer or the craftsman made the mistake is probably irrelevant. Unfortunately, to err is human, and it happens.

 

What is the correct way to proceed? In this case, we recommend seeking out a stonemason – a stone processor. Definitely not a stone merchant. A merchant does not have the necessary equipment and would, with 100% certainty, outsource this repair to a stonemason/processor they collaborate with.  

• Professional dismantling of the headstone.
• Transport to the stonemasonry workshop. 
• Grinding down the text with a coarse wheel using a radial arm polishing machine.
• A multi-step wet polishing process with polishing pads on a radial arm machine.
• Design, checking, and production process of the new text (sandblasting, engraving, carving)
• Gilding or painting the text 
• Installation of the headstone back to its original place

 

We are part of the project kamenarstvo.sk - information portal, where stonemasons from all over Slovakia register. On our behalf, we recommend focusing on the "stone processor" group. 

We do this precisely to prevent cases where a simple merchant ruins the reputation of stonemasons at the expense of unsuspecting, mostly elderly people.

To be fair on our part, it is important to mention that there are entrepreneurs, merchants, or assembly groups who master their work 100%. Before closing an order, carefully check who you are about to enter into an agreement with.

Pavol Šáray

CEO & Technical Expert at DiaSegment

I spend most of my time in the field with customers, where we look for the best solutions for their specific tasks directly at construction sites or in stonemasonry workshops. These field trips are my greatest inspiration – I then process insights from practice into professional articles to help you navigate the subject. Since I am often in full work mode, you might not reach me immediately, but I will be happy to devote my full attention to your questions.