Bianco Extra Marble: Maintenance & Use

 

How To Maintain And Apply Bianco Extra (Fish Belly White) Marble

Chinese Name: 

Fish Belly White
Origin: Italy
Color: White
Density: 2.72 g/cm³
Compressive Strength: 139 MPa
Flexural Strength: 7 MPa
Water Absorption: 0.18%

Material Overview:
Bianco Extra is a premium white marble quarried in Italy. Loved by designers and homeowners for its quality, elegant veining, and polished finish, it is widely used in luxury hotels, high-end villas, and upscale leisure spaces. Once installed, it exudes the smoothness of jade and a refined, noble atmosphere, evoking a sense of being in a sacred palace.

Advantages:
Bianco Extra is highly durable, weather-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, with a long-lasting, natural, and elegant appearance. Its timeless beauty makes it a favorite choice for designers and homeowners alike.

Quality Standards:
When selecting Bianco Extra marble, consider the following criteria:

Pure white base, the whiter the better

Fine, minimal, and evenly distributed veining

No yellow lines or stains, gray spots, or green spots

Free of cracks

No grayish bands

Applications:
Bianco Extra is ideal for flooring, wall cladding, countertops, and other decorative surfaces. Notable installations include the Kunlun Hotel in Beijing (5-star) and the Diamond Casino at Wynn Macau.

Installation and Protection:
Bianco Extra does not require waterproof backing. Cracks should be carefully repaired, followed by a thorough polishing and cleaning. Once the stone is at least 90% dry, six-sided protection should be applied using soaking or cross-roll methods to achieve full saturation. The marble should then be left to cure (static rest) for at least 24 hours before wiping off any residual protective solution and proceeding with installation.

Daily Maintenance:
As a dolomitic marble, Bianco Extra requires specialized chemical agents for maintenance. Standard marble polishes cannot achieve the clarity, smoothness, and high gloss of Bianco Extra. Untrained personnel risk discoloration or darkening. It is strongly recommended to hire professional marble care services.

Before polishing or installation, the stone must be fully protected. After installation, a curing period of at least 28 days is recommended before grouting or sealant application.

Because white marble is more prone to staining than other stones, daily cleaning and dusting are crucial. Spills from cola, wine, tea, soda, toilet cleaners, and bleach (e.g., sodium hypochlorite) should be cleaned within 10 minutes. Apply crystallization agents as needed. For shallow etching, polishing powders or special chemical treatments can restore clarity and gloss. For deep etching, full refinishing may be required.

Key Maintenance Tips:

Avoid highly acidic polishing powders and chemicals

Use agents that replace magnesium oxide inside the stone to enhance translucency and slip resistance

Maintain the crystal-clear glazed effect with protective glaze or polish

Ensure consistent waterproofing, oil-proofing, and stain protection during installation, polishing, and daily use

Polishing and Refinishing Process:

Protect finished surfaces and clean the site

Apply silicone-based penetration protection

Cut and fill joints

Sequential grinding

Apply penetration protection again

Step-by-step polishing:

Wear colorless-soled shoes or protective slippers to maintain purity

Dust twice and apply base protection agent twice

Polish with #0 steel wool using clarity-enhancing agents twice

Polish again with #0 steel wool and gloss-enhancing agents twice; optional glaze pastes can be used for longer-lasting shine

Repair edges, remove protective films, and clean the site

Final inspection and site clearance

This comprehensive care and application approach ensures Bianco Extra marble remains stunning, durable, and elegant for years to come.