Kosta Ebanoidze Embraces Stone’s True Nature and Transforms Facility Floor Care Culture BCWA S9:E6

2025-08-14

Are you overwhelmed by conflicting advice about crystallization, diamond refinishing, or natural stone polishing? Trust me—there are plenty of facility managers and restoration pros feeling just as stuck! If you're feeling frustrated because no matter how many times you strip, wax, or buff your terrazzo or stone floors, they still end up looking dull, scratched, or just plain lifeless, then you are not alone! If you've invested in quick fi...

Are you overwhelmed by conflicting advice about crystallization, diamond refinishing, or natural stone polishing?

Trust me—there are plenty of facility managers and restoration pros feeling just as stuck!

If you're feeling frustrated because no matter how many times you strip, wax, or buff your terrazzo or stone floors, they still end up looking dull, scratched, or just plain lifeless, then you are not alone!

If you've invested in quick fixes like surface sealers or basic janitorial cleaning—only to watch your floors lose their shine within weeks, you’re not the only one in that boat.

If you’ve tried patching up grout lines or covering up terrazzo with carpet or vinyl, only for underlying problems to keep coming back, you know how discouraging that cycle can be.

Today, my special guest is Kosta Ebanoidze, someone who truly understands the ins and outs of stone floors, and his path into the industry is anything but ordinary.

Growing up in Georgia (the country, not the state), Kosta first came to the U.S. chasing a baseball dream.

That competitive drive stuck with him as he shifted into the world of stone restoration, tackling everything from marble countertops to complex terrazzo flooring projects.

Now based in Chicago, he runs Pinnacle Stone Restoration, where he’s built a reputation for solving problems that stump most pros—think hidden cracks, faded finishes, and restoring natural shine.

Kosta’s background in fabrication gave him a problem-solving mindset, and over the years, he’s become known for his willingness to experiment, learn, and share his knowledge.

He’s got a knack for making technical topics easy to understand, and he’s passionate about raising the bar for stone care everywhere.

Reach out to Kosta here: kosta@pinnaclestonecare.com

You can see all that Pinnacle Stone Care has to offer: http://www.pinnaclestonecare.com/

Connect with Kosta on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosta-ebanoidze-47443117/

Special thanks to Mo Bashar with Unlimited Building Maintenance for putting us together for this podcast.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Changing Cleaning Culture and Introduction to Beyond Clean with Ace

00:02:21 - Kosta Ebanoidze’s Journey from Baseball to Stone Restoration

00:06:49 - Challenges in Stone Fabrication and Restoring Factory Finish

00:09:20 - Transitioning from Countertops to Polishing Large Stone Floors

00:12:45 - The Science Behind Marble Polishing Using 5X Powder

00:15:48 - Understanding Momentum and Evolution in Stone Restoration Techniques

00:17:10 - Advancements in Stone Restoration Machinery: From Single to Triple-Headed Machines

00:21:03 - Strategic Equipment Investments and Building a Versatile Restoration Arsenal

00:23:15 - Residential Stone Restoration: Honing, Polishing, and Innovative Grout Solutions

00:32:19 - Understanding Cementitious vs Epoxy Terrazzo Composition and Polishing Challenges

00:35:06 - Common Issues with Terrazzo Maintenance and Restoration

00:37:51 - The Impact of Wax and Sealers on Terrazzo Floors’ Appearance and Breathability

00:40:50 - Longevity and Cost-Effectiveness of Diamond Refinishing Over Traditional Maintenance

00:48:54 - Changing Stone Care Culture Through Right Practices

00:49:35 - Podcast Closing and Encouragement to Share Stone Care Wisdom

00:50:31 - The Impact of Culture on Stone Care Success

00:51:30 - Educating Janitorial Staff on Basic Stone Care

00:52:06 - Rejecting Quick Fixes for Sustainable Stone Care