Ford Cemetery - White Marble Grave Deep Clean with Lettering Repaint

We were asked to restore a white marble headstone and memorial at Ford Cemetery, where years of weather exposure had caused noticeable oxidation, colouring the stone with yellow and grey patches. This particular memorial included several additional ornaments and decorative features, making the job more detailed than a standard clean.

The family wanted the stone fully cleaned and the black lettering carefully repainted to restore clarity and dignity to the memorial. We completed the work during a warm spell of weather, which actually helped significantly with the paint-drying process.

Condition Before Cleaning

Before the restoration, the marble headstone showed:

• Oxidation patches creating yellow/grey discoloration
• Surface dirt trapped in textured areas and around ornaments
• Faded and chipped black lettering
• Staining around carved details and ornament bases
• Moss around the edges and base of the memorial
• Multiple decorative features that required careful, delicate cleaning

White marble in particular is prone to oxidation and weather staining, and Ford Cemetery’s seaside climate can accelerate this process.

What We Did

1. Careful Cleaning Around Ornaments

Because this memorial had extra carvings and ornaments, we worked methodically around each one. Using soft natural-bristle brushes, cotton swabs and detailing tools, we ensured every curve and decorative edge was cleaned without damaging the marble.

2. Oxidation Removal

We applied a specialist marble-safe treatment designed to reduce oxidation staining. This lifted the yellow/grey areas and helped bring the stone back to its natural white tone. This step required patience and multiple passes to achieve a consistent finish.

3. pH-Neutral Marble Cleaning

Once the oxidation treatment had done its work, we cleaned the entire stone with a pH-neutral solution safe for delicate marble. This removed any remaining dirt, algae and environmental deposits.

4. Low-Pressure Rinsing

The headstone was rinsed using low-pressure water to prevent surface etching and prepare the stone for the next stage: repainting.

5. Repainting the Black Lettering

Thanks to the warm weather during this job, the paint dried quickly and evenly. We hand-applied a durable black memorial paint to restore the clarity and contrast of the inscription. The heat allowed us to apply coats more efficiently and achieve a smooth, crisp finish.

6. Cleaning and Tidying the Base Area

We removed moss, weeds and loose debris from around the memorial base and tidied the surrounding area to complete the restoration.

Final Result

The transformation was dramatic. The oxidation staining was significantly reduced, revealing a clean, bright white marble surface. The freshly repainted black lettering brought the inscription back to life, and the ornaments and detailed features now look well-defined and cared for.

The family told us they were amazed at how new and dignified the memorial now looks.

This project shows how much difference a professional white marble headstone restoration at Ford Cemetery can make — especially when dealing with oxidation and intricate ornamentation.

Need a Headstone Restored at Ford Cemetery?

Grave Cleaning & Restoration Services we offer:

• White marble cleaning
• Oxidation removal
• Lettering repainting
• Ornament and carved-detail cleaning
• Moss and weed removal
• One-off or regular grave care

We would be honoured to help restore your loved one’s memorial at Ford Cemetery. If you would like any grave cleaning and restoration works completed at Ford Cemetery please don't hesitate to contact us.

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