How to clean your rolex

[kan cheung]

Hi all the Rolex Fan

Usually I clean all my Rolex ( SS DJ / TT DJ / SS SUB / MILGUASS ) with damp soft cloth and dry with soft cloth, there was no problem.

BUT when I use the same way for my new SS daytona ( wear less than 10 times ), everytime I clean, I find more hairly scratches in the polish bezel and bracelet especially bezel.

Am I use the wrong cleaning method ? Am I create the hairly sratches by cleaning the wrong way ?

Please advise.

Thanks in advance

[tandrup]

I use a very soft tooth-brush instead of cloth. And only use normal hand-soap. I haven't had any issues on brushed or polished SS with that method.

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by tandrup

I use a very soft tooth-brush instead of cloth. And only use normal hand-soap. I haven't had any issues on brushed or polished SS with that method.

+1. I do take the bracelet off the case to get in all the nooks and crannies.

[ParisDakarBmw]

For something completely non abrasive use an ultrasonic cleaner, and jewelry steam cleaner. If you don't have the ultrasonic cleaner, or steamer, they sell them for pretty cheap. You won't scratch the high polish. A dry papercloth can add swirlies to the high shine.

[brkanand]

When you use your watches daily, scratches part of the deal! One can do very little to avoid them I suppose. But for cleaning anyway, I follow manufacturer's suggestions.

[jamesworthy52]

I have been using the soft toothbrush with hand soap method and I haven't had a problem. I actually have an ultrasonic and jewelery steam cleaner but my watches simply have not been dirty enough to warrant using either of them.

[Perdu]

Soap and toothbrush but under a slowly running tap. You want to rinse off all those small particles rather than rubbing them into the metal. When you've done then you can dry with a microfiber cloth.

[Rolex Freak]

I use running warm water with dish soap to wash my watch, and then paper towel or a very soft cloth to dry. Works wonders on shining up the watch.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by Rolex Freak

I use running warm water with dish soap to wash my watch, and then paper towel or a very soft cloth to dry. Works wonders on shining up the watch.

This is my technique as well. I use my fingers and not a brush. But I only dab the paper towell to absorb the moisture - then I rub the watch with a soft silky cloth of the type used for cleaning spectacles.

[DDG]

You have to get it dirty first.

[Rscmaine]

Originally Posted by DDG

You have to get it dirty first.

No, you don't. You just have to THINK it's dirty...

[snow_rocks]

Damn thing gets clean when I take a bath.
Once or twice a month, I make it down to the river!

[RJC]

Toothbrush and a gentle liquid soap for me.

I also try and avoid using a cotton cloth when drying or giving a quick polish, as cotton can leave swirls.

Try a good microfibre cloth. IWC watches come with a real good one and they sometimes come up on ebay.

[Phil G.]

I never use paper towel on my watches, as they can be very abrasive and scratch the surface - polished SS or YG. I've done that with my TT Datejust years ago, and haven't used paper toweling since. I use the warm soapy water/toothbrush method without problem and dry with a very soft CLEAN cotton towel. No problem. Or for light fingerprints, I use just the suede cleaning cloth the watch came with.

[Evan614]

Palmolive... softens you hands while you do the bracelet.
Several jewelry stores will clean your watch while you 'shop' or what I call window shop. (I have had my ring and necklace done with their steamer and ultrasonic do-hickey)

[sakuraba]

I have heard of some forum members who use "Scrubbin Bubbles" on their watches.

I prefer my ultrasonic cleaner for the bracelets, and soap and warm water for the watch case.

[tandrup]

Does anybody have experience with the $30 ultrasonic cleaners that you can pick up on
amazon, etc? Do they work?

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by tandrup

Does anybody have experience with the $30 ultrasonic cleaners that you can pick up on
amazon, etc? Do they work?

I bought mine off ebay for around that much. I only use them for the bracelet, and never dunk the whole watch in.

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by sakuraba

i bought mine off ebay for around that much. I only use them for the bracelet, and never dunk the whole watch in.

+1

[tandrup]

Did you guys get something like this?

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by tandrup

Did you guys get something like this?

Exactly that.

[tandrup]

Originally Posted by RolexPete

Exactly that.

Cool, I just ordered one. For $20, you can't go wrong.

[rfknauss]

I use dishwashing liquid and a soft toothbrush. It really makes the stainless steel sparkle!

[taljamil]

I use a mixture of household ammonia and hot water along with a facial exfoliation brush that I bought at the Body Shop. Has worked on my watches like charm for many years.

[pz93c]

I lick it and wipe it on my shirt.

[mrh1797]

Originally Posted by pz93c

I lick it and wipe it on my shirt.

HILARIOUS!!!!! Thanks for giving me a laugh on a brutal Tuesday!!

MH

[Rscmaine]

I seem to be the most anal - that is worrisome...

Basic cleaning -

First - pop the bezel - I use a plastic putty knife for this - it prevents scratches.

Second - place thin bezel washer on flat surface and wash with foamy pump hand soap - place on cotton towel to dry.

Third - same soft soap and very very soft toothbrush the underside of the bezel insert (never scrub the top) and inside the bezel -

I also run a wooden toothbrush inside the bezel and look for gunk in the click teeth. Set aside with washer on cotton cloth.

Head- same basic process - soft soap with ultra soft toothbrush (I also us a baby brush) and carefully slide a toothpick around all joints and seams and angles - and in the grooves of the crown. It is amazing what gets into the creases and starts to look like is was always there. Look at a piece of old Sterling flatware with a monogram - the monogram begins life shiny - and over the years gets filled with crap. Here's a 120 year old spoon -

For the bracelet, keep in mind that any gunk inside the links is eating your pins or screws...look at pictures of old rotor bearings and you get the idea.

I soak any newly acquired used bracelet overnight in dish detergent and water - then just like cleaning a gun barrel - I thread white wool yarn in and draw it through until it comes out clean.

Buckles are natural repositories of soap, shampoo, and sweat and also need to be disassembled and scrubbed with the baby brush - the seams in the buckles are also run with toothpic.

Soft lint free (white) cloth wipe of all parts - then reassemble.

My goal is to eliminate even trace DNA.

[DDG]

I've never tried it on a watch head, but for the band and for necklaces & diamond jewelery, try those fizzy type denture cleaner tablets in a cup of hot water. Seems to clean things up pretty well. I don't like paper towels because they are abrasive, they will scratch your plastic eyeglasses up pretty quickly.

[Denver Dick]

Originally Posted by pz93c

I lick it and wipe it on my shirt.

Yeah, that's okay for the crystal, but the bracelet requires a little more . . .

[ParisDakarBmw]

Originally Posted by pz93c

I lick it and wipe it on my shirt.

That got me off guard! Good one!