On 9/10/2012 6:43 PM, Ray wrote:
We recently installed marble countertops in our kitchen, and it's been
a disaster.

Almost immediately water-spots began to form, taking off the sealer.

Even worse, a little tomato juice fell onto the counter, and it was as
if we'd put paint remover on it. Big ugly dull spots wherever the
tomato juice fell -- and it was there for just a few minutes.

We called the installer, who came out and used a different sealer.
This seem to withstand water fairly well, but the tomato problem is as
bad as ever.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

Any suggestions?

I live in karst country. Karst is limestone bedrock that has pockets
and perforations caused by water containing carbon dioxide, which is
acidic, gradually dissolving the limestone and forming caves.

Marble is basically limestone. The same process that nature uses to
create caves works on your countertops, too - an acidic liquid working
on the limestone, first etching it, then eating pockets and gaps.

For that reason, marble is not a good material to use as an
all-purpose work surface.

I'm surprised the installer or supplier didn't try to gently persuade
you to consider another material for kitchen countertops. They had to
have known that it wouldn't be suitable for the kitchen. Or was this a
DIY job?