The Granite Shop | Choosing a Granite Countertop

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Tom Robinson

We interviewed The Granite Shop, of Madison, WI, on what makes a good granite fabricator. Watch below and enjoy!

P.S. The audio is a little off, so we apologize in advance. We’re still figuring out how to use the Flip Video Cameras!

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Troubleshooting Your Stainless Sink

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Tom Robinson
Scratched Sink

Scratches like these are a common problem when you don't care of your sink

There are a few common issues that come up regularly with stainless sinks. We’ll try to address them in today’s blog post!

Scratches:

As with most metallic surfaces, your stainless steel sink will get scratches. These are merely “usage scratches” and over time will blend in with the overall finish of your sink. However, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the appearance of scratches. Use a nylon pad (such as Scotchbrite) with an iron free abrasive polishing compound. Follow the direction of the original polish lines and you can blend out the scratch in a small area. Be careful not to overdo it. If you get too aggressive, you can’t go back. You will end up with a bright spot.

Water Quality:

Regular cleaning can usually prevent lime scale deposits from hard water. Do not allow excessive build up before treating. Soaking in a 25% vinegar solution or a 5% nitric acid solution can treat these hard water spots. Periodically rub with a nylon bristled brush or fine synthetic scourer pad. Then, rinse and towel dry.

Rust Marks:

If you develop rust marks due to presence of or contact with ferrous (iron containing) materials, swab with a sponge wetted with a dilute (10-15%) solution of nitric acid (HNO3) and follow with routine cleaning. Avoid prolonged contact of ferrous (i.e. cast iron pans) materials with stainless steel. Dilute nitric acid in strengths of up to 20%, is a “friendly” acid to stainless steel. It is the ONLY acid that may be used with no risk to stainless steel.

These are just a few of the more common occurrences. Are there other things you have questions about? Drop us a comment and we’ll try to get it answered!

A couple additional items to consider:

The best finish for a stainless steel sink is “brushed” which reduces the appearance of scratches. Mirror or bright finishes (such as the sink shown above) are particularly susceptible to scratching and should be avoided. Scratches in quality sinks with a brushed finish like Eclipse sinks can be repaired. Scratches cannot be removed from the mirror finish products. Sinks can further be protected from scratching by the use of grates which are made to fit in the bottom of the sinks.

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The Best Cleaners for Your Stainless Steel Sink

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Tom Robinson

Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keeper's Friend - a trusted stainless steel cleaning brand

We have some recommended cleaners for you today! These are what we have found to be the best for your stainless steel cleaning needs.

Use brands that state “suitable for stainless steel.” Here are some of the best:

Other effective although less aggressive include:

For scratches, try a material called Scotchbrite (using very light hand pressure in the direction of the finish).

Please note: Chlorides are found in most all soap, detergents, bleaches and cleansers. Chlorides can be harsh on stainless steel, but because chlorides are very water-soluble they are usually not a problem. THOROUGH rinsing of your sink after each use to remove any chloride residue and weekly deep cleaning will keep your sink in excellent condition.

Look back tomorrow for a few tips on how to handle scratches, rust, etc.

Do you have more questions about your stainless steel sink? Visit www.EclipseStainless.com

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How to Care for Your Stainless Steel Sink

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Tom Robinson
Eclipse Sink

How do you take care of your stainless sink/faucet?

There are a few easy and inexpensive tips we can give you to keep your stainless steel sink looking brand new for years to come.

  1. Clean regularly with a mild detergent solution and/or clean water applied with a soft cloth or sponge. Rub gently.
  2. Rinse and towel dry after every use (to prevent mineral deposits from building up on the surface of the sink).
  3. Deep clean once a week with a recommended cleanser (be sure to rub in the direction of the finish lines) and a soft cloth or sponge rather than an occasional aggressive single cleaning. Cleaners should state “suitable for stainless steel.”

A few don’ts:

  • Do not use coarse abrasive powders, metallic scourers such as steel wool or brushes with metal bristles.
  • Do not use the so termed “silver cleaners.”
  • Do not leave wet sponges, cloths, cleaning pads, rubber mats or dishpans in the sink. This could lead to surface rust or possible pitting.
  • Do not leave standing solutions of chlorine bleach and water in the sink for extended periods of time. Always rinse the sink after using such solutions.
  • Do not allow liquid soap or other cleansers to dry on the surface of the sink.

Tomorrow we will give you some specific brands that we’ve found helpful in terms of cleaners as well as some troubleshooting tips!

 

 

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How Lighting Affects Your Kitchen

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Tom Robinson

Blue Countertop Have you ever thought about how lighting shapes the way your kitchen looks? It’s commonly known that light affects your paint schemes, but it is not generally something that goes through your mind when purchasing countertops. Think again.

Before investing in a new countertop, take a good look at the surface from all angles to ensure you like the color and contrast.

“Lighting will change colors totally,” says Louise Gordey, retail sales manager with Floform Countertops in Edmonton. Gordey suggests taking countertop samples home to see how they look away from store lighting.

Just like with paint, things such as time of day and type of lighting will change how the counters look. The angle you view your counter at is also something that should be taken into consideration before you buy, says Gordey.

“Always look down at your countertop, because when you’re in the kitchen, it’s not something that you view straight on. It is a surface that you’re going to be working on, so how do you feel about looking at it? Because if you’re mixing, or baking or doing sandwiches or dishes, it’s downward that you’re looking.”

Floform advises people to bring paint colors, cabinet doors and floor tiles into a showroom to match with their countertops. You want to make sure that you are 100% happy with the investment you will be making.

(source)

Want more kitchen tips? Be sure to check in regularly on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

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Testimonial from Dave Esslinger of Granite by Design

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Tom Robinson

Give us a call today for all your sink and faucet needs!

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Granite By Design | Choosing a Granite Countertop

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Tom Robinson

We recently interviewed Dave Esslinger, owner of Granite By Design in Indiana, about how you would go about choosing a granite fabricator for your home projects.

To recap:

  1. Reputation – He noted that most of his business comes from Angie’s List, the reputable consumer review site for the service industry. Be sure to check it out before you go with any service you might purchase.
  2. Quality – Dave informed us that most granite fabricators do quality work, so what sets a company apart the most will be their service. He did also mention that seams and attention to detail were important factors.

Thanks, Dave, for the video! If you’re looking for granite in Indiana give him a call today.

Need a beautiful stainless sink for those new granite counters? Contact us today and find out how we can help!

 

 

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Low sink water pressure? No problem!

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Tom Robinson

Do you get frustrated by your sink’s low water pressure? It can make simple things like cooking and cleaning the dishes a major hassle. The Family Handyman has a great and simple way to potentially take care of this issue.

It is very possible that the low pressure is caused by a clogged aerator. The aerator is the small part that hangs down through which the water actually flows. What you may not know is that the small part unscrews and can be cleaned with relative ease.

Unscrew Aerator

Aerator Parts The Family Handyman notes that dirt or other contaminants generally collect in either the mixer or the screen. If it seems worse than just a simple rinsing can cure, soak the parts in vinegar overnight and scrub. Be sure to reassemble in the correct order.

If those tips still don’t fix your low pressure issue, you may need to call your local plumber.

Be sure to catch other tips daily on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

(source)

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Kitchen Remodels Prove to be Great Investment

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Tom Robinson

Kitchen Of all the things you can do to upgrade your home, few will give you the return on investment that kitchen remodeling does. According to recent reports, you can expect an almost 73% return (or added value to your home) on the money you put into your kitchen. This falls well within the top 5 best things you can do for your home.

The reason? The kitchen is actually one of the areas in your home that gets used the most. You are in there every single day, either making a lunch, preparing a big dinner, bonding with a son or daughter and teaching them the finer points to cooking, etc. It truly can be the heart of your home.

And you don’t have to break the bank to add some value. Even small things like a new paint job can make it feel warmer and more inviting. Take your kitchen one project at a time – maybe one a year – and you’ll slowly come to have a kitchen that you will love spending time in for years to come.

What additions or changes have you made to your kitchen to add value?

Remember, Eclipse Stainless is here to help you with any sink or faucet needs you may have!

(source)

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How would you “Spice Up My Kitchen”?

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Tom Robinson

Did you know that HGTV has an entire show dedicated to kitchen design and renovations? Spice Up My Kitchen takes a dysfunctional and ugly kitchen, provides two choices for a makeover, and lets the homeowner decide which direction to go. It even has its own HGTV website which allows you to:

  • Watch just snippets or full episodes
  • See photos of beautifully refinished kitchens (many with stainless steel products!)
  • Catch advice from design experts with kitchen articles

Here’s a clip for you to check out:

The show airs on Mondays at 8:00am and 8:30am.

What would you do to spice up your kitchen if you had a dream makeover? New countertops? Cupboards? Appliances? Perhaps a stainless sink and faucet? Let us know!

If you’re considering a kitchen makeover, keep Eclipse Stainless in mind, and we’ll be sure to help you out with your sink and faucet needs!

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