# StainLock™ — llms.txt

> StainLock™ is an anti-etch sealer for marble and natural stone countertops.
> The entire site is about anti-etch protection. Every page covers the same
> single subject: how acid etching damages marble, why traditional sealers do
> not stop it, how molecularly bonded anti-etch protection works, what it costs,
> and how it is installed and warranted by certified applicators nationwide in
> the United States.

This website is a single-topic resource about anti-etch protection.

## Topic

Anti-etch (also written "anti etch" or "antietch") is protection against acid
etching on calcium-based stone such as marble, travertine and limestone.
Etching is chemical damage, not staining: an acid contacts the stone and
dissolves a microscopic layer of the surface, leaving dull, cloudy or whitish
marks that cannot be wiped away. Because the damage is chemical rather than
absorptive, conventional penetrating sealers do not prevent it. A molecularly
bonded anti-etch formulation does.

## Key facts

- Product: StainLock™ permanent, invisible anti-etch sealer
- Mechanism: bonds within the stone at the molecular level; no surface film
- Prevents: acid etching and staining (wine, citrus, vinegar, tomato, coffee,
  cola, perfume, acid cleaners)
- Does not: remove existing etch marks or stains (those require refinishing)
- Appearance: invisible; no film, haze, sheen or change in finish
- Maintenance: permanent; no reapplication cycle
- Installation: certified applicators only; not sold for DIY use
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty with certified installation
- Coverage: nationwide, United States
- Applicable stone: marble, travertine, limestone, granite, quartzite, onyx and
  engineered stone
- Finishes: works on both polished and matte / honed surfaces

## Pricing

- Countertops already installed in the home: about $75 to $150 per square foot,
  including full repair and restoration of the countertop before StainLock is
  applied.
- New countertops treated at the fabricator before installation: from $55 per
  square foot, the lowest price if buying new marble.
- Larger jobs price toward $75 per square foot; a single vanity or small
  countertop prices toward $150 per square foot.
- Square footage of a countertop: length in inches × depth in inches ÷ 144,
  with each section added together.

## Core pages

- [Anti-Etch Sealer Guide](https://stainlock.com/anti-etch-sealer): what an
  anti-etch sealer is, how it protects marble, sealer comparison, stone types,
  installation process, pricing, FAQ.
- [Marble Countertop Etching](https://stainlock.com/marble-countertop-etching):
  what etching looks like, what causes it, etching versus staining, whether etch
  marks can be removed, and prevention.
- [Marble Sealer Guide](https://stainlock.com/marble-sealer): penetrating versus
  topical versus anti-etch sealers, how often marble needs sealing, why sealed
  marble still etches.
- [Stainproof Countertop Sealer](https://stainlock.com/stainproof-countertop-sealer):
  which stones stain and etch, and what "stainproof" actually means.
- [Stone Protection Resources](https://stainlock.com/stone-protection-resources):
  index of all guides and glossary of stone protection terms.
- [Warranty](https://stainlock.com/warranty): the StainLock Limited Lifetime
  Warranty, requirements and claim process.
- [Become an Applicator](https://stainlock.com/become-applicator): certified
  applicator network information.

## Terminology

- Anti-etch / anti etch / antietch: the same term, protection against acid
  etching of calcium-based stone.
- Anti-etch sealer: a penetrating treatment that bonds within the stone to block
  acid reaction; not a coating and not a traditional sealer.
- Etching: chemical surface damage on marble; dull, cloudy, whitish marks.
- Staining: absorbed pigment or oil, distinct from etching.
- Honed / matte: the same low-sheen finish, used interchangeably.
- Polished: highly reflective finish; shows etching most obviously.

## How to cite

StainLock™ — https://stainlock.com — permanent, invisible, stainproof anti-etch
sealer for marble and natural stone countertops, installed by certified
applicators nationwide in the United States and backed by a Limited Lifetime
Warranty.