Jun 1, 04: why oil soapstone?

why oil soapstone?


Posted by palomalou (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 9:08


The fabricator told me that one oils soapstone if one wants it to look darker. Okay, I don't; is there a FUNCTIONAL reason to oil it? Should it initially be oiled, then allowed to gray out?



RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: pebbles396 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 9:12

No - there really isn't a functional reason that I know of. Most people oil it only for aesthetics.

And b/c soapstone is non-porous you'll have to oil, and reoil, and reoil for the look.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: kkay_MD (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 9:29

The only "functional" reason I can think of is that when soapstone gets any oil or grease on it from the cooking or preparation process, you will have a darker spot. My soapstone was a fairly light blue-gray before it was oiled. When freshly oiled, it's a deep greenish black with light green veins running through it. As the oil disappears, it lightens up overall, but it has never returned to that pre-oiled blue-gray color.
Oiling it also makes the scratches disappear. I only oil mine occasionally.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: Crey (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 9:31

If you don't oil the soapstone, anything you spill (including water) will
make a temporary dark spot - the oiling helps to maintain an even look
to the counter - I also like the grey look of the stone - most people
don't like the marks that are made by general usage and are used to a
perfect, even surface. I even sanded the corners of mine down to make
it look older.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: janedibber (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 10:11

well, if you consider applying oil a 'function' of your labor..ha, ha. otherwise, as everyone noted, its all about looks.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: pebbles396 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 10:20

kkay is correct. it doens't really ever go back to the original unoiled color. sorry forgot that part.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: palomalou (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 15:41

Hmm....thank you all. Perhaps I am going back to drawing board and search for
granite again. I have really decided that I don't want the black
look--washes out the backsplash slate.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: corgilvr (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 16:44

Why put moisturizer on your face or lotion on your hands? It feels good and
it looks good. It takes about a minute to do after you wash your
counters.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: Valtog (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 16:52

I am considering soapstone counters for my kitchen. Any advice? Do you
folks like your soapstone? Why did you choose it? Thanks! Val


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: palomalou (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 22:18

Corgilvr,
my issue is not laziness (not that I'm not lazy, but not relevant to
this discussion). The sample I have is just too dark after the
fabricator oiled it, and although I have scrubbed it with soap a number
of times, it hasn't lightened to the color I have in mind. I just
thought maybe if one NEVER oiled it in the first place, it would be
light enough.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: HeyPearly (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 22:53

Only time will return the light gray color. Patience.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: Buglady_DE (My Page) on Tue, Jun 1, 04 at 23:02

I thought that soapstone could be sanded and you would get the original color back? Is that not true?

Also, I thought that you have a choice of oiling or not oiling based on your
preference. I can see where if you don't oil it, then it will be
splotchy at times. But I thought it would go back to the light color as
it dries, in that case.

Maybe all soapstone is not alike?

Personally, I am planning to oil mine. I like the look of it oiled. I have a
sample, and I also like the lighter color that it reverts back to. I
haven't oiled my sample for about 2 weeks, and it is lighter, but not
the original color. Maybe I should try sanding it just to see what
happens.

Valtog--I first investigated soapstone because I don't
like the shiny reflective quality of polished granite. Plus, I like the
aged look that soapstone will get over time. I am trying for a bit of a
farmhouse feel in my kitchen. Otherwise, it would be laminate for me. I
did not like any of the other choices of countertop that I looked at,
which included pretty much everything.


RE: why oil soapstone?

I'm strongly considering soapstone for my perimeter countertops. The island
is likely to be a granite with an interesting pattern. I can't say I
love it, but it works with the cabinetry, hood, etc. I've also been
through other various options. I'm still wondering whether honed marble
could give the look and not show stains or etching. My KD warned me
that it is even more porous than honed granite. I'm looking for the
matte finish also. Has anyone considered honed marble and discarded the
idea for the soapstone? I haven't gotten any farther than mentioning it
at a stone yard when the idea is thwarted by those in the know. Thanks
for your input.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: Crey (My Page) on Wed, Jun 2, 04 at 8:58

Soapstone does go back to the original color when sanded - I couldn't wait to see
what it looked like before I had completely sanded it down so I oiled a
bit and then finished the sanding. The oiled bit went right back to the
grey color. I oiled the whole thing this morning but I'm thinking that
I like the light color better so I'm not sure I'll keep it oiled. - Crey


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: palomalou (My Page) on Wed, Jun 2, 04 at 14:31

Oh Crey--you are right!! I grabbed the nearest sandpaper from my basement
and barely sanded it and the color is great. AND I prefer the silky
feel of it better than the slick feeling of granite. Not that there
aren't a lot of gorgeous granites out there, and still the idea of a
granite on the penninsula is not totally out. That is where I knead and
make pasta etc., at least when I'm not too busy on this website! ;)


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: Buglady_DE (My Page) on Wed, Jun 2, 04 at 21:03

I just finished sanding my sample. I agree that the light color is just
hiding under the oiled surface. And I do love the silky texture!

The best part for me is that I could see how easy it is to soften the sharp
edges. I am guessing that the installed slab will have edges like my
sample does, and I don't like them. It will be some work, but I think I
will do that all the way around after it is installed.

OTOH, since it is so easy to sand the soapstone, I really hope this is going
to last!! I mean I suddenly got the feeling that I could just keep
sanding and poof my countertop would be gone!


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: janedibber (My Page) on Wed, Jun 2, 04 at 21:07

you'll be doing a lot of poofin' before that happens!


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Thu, Jun 3, 04 at 0:30

For those of you who dislike the sharp corners, you can get the softer look
of eased edges from the fabricator. We spoke with the Vermont Soapstone
people at an Architectural Digest Home Design Show a few months ago and
they showed us the alternative edge, which we loved immediately in
preference to the sharp, squared off edges. We've been living with one
of their samples for over a year and love its earthy good looks.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: corgilvr (My Page) on Thu, Jun 3, 04 at 6:03

palomalou, oiling is about looks and feel, not energy levels. Has anyone never
oiled their soapstone? I do think the color looks pretty even after a
soapy wash, though not the original light gray. I have soapstone in
high use areas and chose it for ease of use and cleanup. There must be
a solvent that will remove any oil residue from nonporous stone, but
you might not want to use it in food areas.


RE: why oil soapstone?

  • Posted by: Crey (My Page) on Thu, Jun 3, 04 at 8:49

I put in the tiles and edging from Vt Soapstone and the edges were
beveled - I sanded them more to give them that "old and not perfect"
look - I just love the look I get and - with oil, without oil - isn't
it cool that you can change the way they look at a whim? Wheeee - I'm
so glad I chose this stone!! - Crey

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