OIL SPOTS ON BLACK GRANITE ~ by Jon Zanger
"Oil spots" or "water spots" are common in some Indian Black granites as well as some African Zimbabwe Black granites. The Italians wash the Zimbabwe Black with acid before polishing the slabs, and claim that it leeches out the spots. The Indians may do this as well, or even dye the granite. In fact, as many a fabricator has learned, often these spots will 'reappear'.
Obviously, it is best to avoid these materials to begin with. There are over 20 different quarries of "Absolute Black" in India, some many hundreds of miles from each one another. One cannot generalize that all black Indian granites are the same. Even in Zimbabwe, where the quarries are close together, these spots are characteristic of the material from one quarry, but not from another.
We choose our Zimbabwe Black from a quarry that is not known to have this problem, and we have chosen our Indian Black from a quarry that is known to have uniform, high quality material. It is unfortunate that these days, when many in the industry buy from a price list, these cheap but defective materials creep into the market. For our part, we will endeavor to continue to avoid purchasing these inexpensive but problematic materials, at all costs. As any fabricator knows, after replacing a few kitchens, what was originally a bargain, is now just an expensive headache.
~ Jon Zanger, WMG President
Something Westchester Marble has always been known for is having materials no one else carries. This is a very intentional strategy on our part. The downside can be, that in order to do this you need to go further afield, to countries and suppliers that do not normally serve the US market. Occasionally, problems occur. Mind you, this wouldn't happen if we stuck with common materials and main line Italian suppliers, but then, who wants to stock the same materials Home Depot does?!?
One example of supply problems have been Winter Cloud, Classic Pecan and Eastern Sky. For those of you who ordered thousands of square feet recently, only to be disappointed, we apologize. We are NOT discontinuing these items. We ARE announcing supply shortages for the time being. If you are nervous, take your samples down, and we will keep you posted!
Good news is, we continue to be highly aggressive in launching new products. In other parts of this newsletter, you'll learn about new WMG introductions like 15 slates - many suitable for outdoors, Jerusalem stone pavers and coping - also ideal for outdoors, mosaics from North Africa (see mosaic bird at left), hand painted ceramic tiles from Italy, another dozen new limestones, 15 new slab materials, and the list goes on.
Regular customers have already seen the color scanning we are capable of, with the mailing on the new Carthage mosaics. Look to see heavy use of this technology in future price lists, and other revised sales tools. You have to run hard to stay in front.
COME VISIT US IN ORLANDO (includes list of booth #'s)
On April 23-26, individuals from all over the world will converge on Orlando, Florida, USA, for the ITSE & Coverings. Billed as the biggest show in our industry, with tens of thousands of attendees, and over 800 displaying companies, this event is truly worth the time and money to attend. I know my own companies will be showing all their new product and display concepts; far more than I could ever carry around in my car. Here are the relevant booth #'s;
A long awaited thing has happened; the updated NUANCE Master Boards are ready. For those of you not familiar with this item, it is LATCO's architectural binder showing our perennially successful 2x2 porcelain mosaic line.
As with all of LATCO, NUANCE is porcelain tile, capable of the most rigorous use, and is suitable for surviving rapid freeze/thaw changes. Available in 43 colors, these 2x2s come on 12x12 sheets.
There are six new additions to the line, including a new yellow (NA3) and blue (NA11). Also, new for 1997 are;
helps to explain product to client
Have you noticed how much I'm pushing grouted boards lately? As our industry advances, and our products get more complicated and more sophisticated, it becomes ever harder to explain them to a client. The use of mixed materials, different textures, or highly varied materials, all combine to challenge even the most imaginative of us. Slate is the classic example.
Westchester is now offering a series of grouted boards (for $50 each) which perfectly demonstrate the beauty and variation of natural slate, without having to make a big speech. We have tried different variations, but boards like the one shown here prove the best. Available in all of our 15 slate colors, these boards show what a real slate floor would look like. Invariably, if you show a bunch of small, cut pieces, the client thinks that is the size they come in! Better to show a few slates properly than many slates poorly.
By exclusive territory only, recreated art from Roman times, interpreted in hand painted ceramic tiles, frescoes and mosaics, all modular to tumbled marble. Some areas still available . . .
from Westchester Marble & Granite.
Olympo, Monocibec's new line of porcelain with a tumbled marble look, will be on display in Orlando. Have it on display in your showroom, by ordering this rack, which holds grouted boards. As with all Monocibec lines, these products have a "5" rating, and are freeze/thaw resistant. Stocked in the US, Monocibec is a broad line which includes a full range of stone looks in various sizes, and includes listello's, borders, as well as floor and wall field tile.
Many exciting new looks will be on display in Orlando, from this exciting Italian line. (photo here shows display racks in the showrooms of Ohio Tile & Marble in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA).
OUTDOOR COLLECTION;
Winter cold will shortly give way to Spring warmth, and with it will come clients planning outdoor projects, like porches, patios, and driveways.
Westchester Marble is responding by building an Outdoor Collection, that makes it simple for you to make the appropriate recommendations.
Almost all stones can be used outdoors - after all, that's where we found them. The main difference is often thickness. Cut any stone thick enough, and it can withstand the movement and shifting of sub flooring. Usually, industry standards are at least 1-1/4", however variations occur in each stones. The great news for you, is that anything on this list is resistant to frequent freeze/thaw cycles. As always, we recommend that all natural stone be sealed. Call us for specific recommendations.
SLATES;
As part of our 15 stocked slates, many available in 16x16 and slabs, as well as the usual 12x12s, the following six slates can be used safely in a rapid freeze/thaw environment;
For sealing, we recommend 511 Impregnator, which is a penetrating sealer. Slates also lend themselves to color enhancing (use Mira-matte), thereby bringing out their rich & varied colors.
OTHER OUTDOOR PAVERS;
Jerusalem Stone; from the land of the three great faiths, Westchester is happy to announce the arrival of Jerusalem Stone Pavers, suitable for outdoors. Sizes include 16"x24"x1-1/4" pavers, and 12"x48" bullnosed coping, which make ideal pool surrounds. In stock now, these pavers are in the Ramon Grey color, a type of limestone found in the South of Israel, fairly uniform beige with a bushhammered finish.
Porphyry Exterior Paving; from Mexico, is the ideal natural stone specified for outside paving. A quartz based stone, in a reddish color that fades in sunlight to a rich light color, it is ideal for any outdoor environment. Available in irregular sizes, cubes, blocks or wainscoting, it allows creative designs for driveways, pool surrounds , patios, and can withstand extreme weight loads. This product is available through special order only.
MATCHING INDOOR PRODUCTS
Jerusalem stone tiles and slabs are also now in stock. Match your outdoor work with indoor floors and counters, in two colors; Jerusalem Gold, a soft, warm gold, and Jerusalem Cream, distinguished by its creamy background and red veins. Both are quarried in the region between Jerusalem and Hebron. These are available in 12x12, and 2 & 3 cm slabs. Would you like samples?