Most imperfections, even raised letters, Weather beating and streaks, are only surface defects if the stone is not broken or cracked. A good stonesmith can resurface the stone and cut a new inscription. Of Course your local Monument company will tell you differently (not wanting to do it) because they want to sell you one of theirs.

We have reclaimed some 300 such stones in this manner given to us as discards from local monument companies when they have made mistakes in spelling of replaced older markers with new ones. These stone would have otherwise gone to landfills. We used they to make historical informational markers, and even mark Pauper's graves. Anyone that is good with a sand blaster and a grinder can do it if you can get the Monument company to cut the mubber mat stencil for you.