Granite tile questions

[karbon]

I'm building an outdoor BBQ island with a granite tile top and I've got a few questions.
I'll be using 18" Labrador Green tiles over Hardibacker board.  I'm doing a square counter edge with 3" tile trim around the edge.

1)  I want to minimize any appearance of grout lines, so what would the minimum grout line I could allow, and what grouting material would you suggest?

2) I plan on polishing the square edge of the tile and need a recommendation on dry polishing pads for a Makita 9565CV.

3) Can the edge polishing be done after the granite tile is installed or must it be done prior to installation?

4) How would I go about cutting a square hole in the granite for an electrical outlet?

5) What kind of sealer would you recommend, and how can I best maintain the granite in the hot Southern California sun?

Thanks

[Mark D.]

Here you go:
1) I would probably use either a 1/16" or 1/8" grout joint. If you want to minimize the joint make sure you set the tiles so all the tops are on the same plane. If you don't the reflections will be of different angles and that will make the grout lines appear more prevalent..just a tip on that. You should grout this with either a non-sanded grout or an epoxy grout.

2) You can use either of these dry pads. They are made by Diamante Italia and Slayer respectively. Since these are all flat edges I like the Slayer as they seem to work faster. The third link is a rigid backer:
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Diamond-Polishing-Pads-&-Backers-EdgeShine-422-Dry-Polishing-Pads/c25_30_723/index.html
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Diamond-Polishing-Pads-&-Backers-Diamante-Italia-422-dry-resin-pol/c25_30_652/index.html
http://www.defusco.com/Diamond-Products-Diamond-Polishing-Pads-&-Backers-Backer-Pads/c25_30_640/p1940/422-DI-RIGID-BACKING-PAD---VELCRO/product_info.html

3) polish the edges first. If you wait until they are installed you will be hitting the faces of the adjacent tiles and messing them up.

4) Does it have to be square? I mean you are probably using a cover plate so if you are just get a core bit and cut 2 or 3 overlapping holes so you can mount the plug to the electrical box and then put the cover plate over it. If you are not using a cover plate and it is a 2 plug box you can use a 4" blade and plunge cut the long sides. Then cut a cross from corner to corner and take a finger bit or a grinding bit and grind out the excess. Or once you cut the cross into it you could use the side of the blade to grind everything out of the way. Even then it won't be polished and you could treat it with a color enhancer, but for this I like using a coverplate. If you want to go the other way I will show you some options.

5) For outdoor use I like Protex. It is very durable. Here is a link:
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Protex-Sealer-for-stone/c82_719/p2671/Protex-Sealer-for-stone---1-liter/product_info.html

Glad to be of service,
Mark