Not to beat up an old topic but

[swedenwatch]

I was wondering what is a more effective way to clean a rolex band, ultra sonic cleaning, or using a brush and soap or that vareate watch spray?

I know everyone has there own opinions my goal here is to clean to avoid the wear aka "stretch" of the band, I know to fix it it is not a big deal $150 or so, but avoiding it would be ideal.

I took the watch for an ultrasonic cleaning at my local AD today and I still notice dark grime between the links, he did it for what seemed like 5minutes so not sure if it wasnt long enough or maybe not done properly.

Any recommendations would be great, thanks guys!

[mike]

I've used mild soapy water and an old tooth brush forever and had good results.

I don't see anything wrong with a sonic cleaner provided the band is off the watch.

[TSW]

How many threads about bracelets would you need??

[swedenwatch]

Originally Posted by TSW

How many threads about bracelets would you need??

sorry had a few questions all were a bit different so figure I would post them all so when someone does a forum search they could find the answers easily

[DrLindaPhD]

Originally Posted by TSW

How many threads about bracelets would you need??

[swedenwatch]

Originally Posted by DrLindaPhD

[swedenwatch]

so using the ultra sonic method or a brush they would both be sufficient to get all the dirt from between the links? I see a lot of black build up between my links and 5 minutes in the ultra sonic didnt seem to do anything,,,,maybe I needed to leave it in there longer,,,

I would rather avoid ultra sonic cleaning, but if it works better then the brush I would do that, just want to protect my band from stretch thats all as it seems a bit strected already and is only years old

[floater156]

Toothbrush and soap is fine to give it a nice shine, but you need to ultrasonic the bracelet if you want to eliminate the dirt and gunk in the bracelet links that rub against each other and create stretch. Buy a $40 ultrasonic cleaner off of Ebay and use it 2x per year. Make sure you don't put the watch head in the cleaner. You should remove the band and only clean the band in it. This will be the most effective means of eliminating stretch.

[swedenwatch]

Originally Posted by floater156

Toothbrush and soap is fine to give it a nice shine, but you need to ultrasonic the bracelet if you want to eliminate the dirt and gunk in the bracelet links that rub against each other and create stretch. Buy a $40 ultrasonic cleaner off of Ebay and use it 2x per year. Make sure you don't put the watch head in the cleaner. You should remove the band and only clean the band in it.

ok,,,is it bad to use it say once a month? and how hard is the band to remove I assume I would need a special tool,,,im not too handy thats why I wanted to avoid band removal,,got some butter fingers here lol

how long do most people leave it in the ultra sonic,,,,im beginning to think my local AD isnt the greatest as I took it there for a ultra sonic cleaning (was cheap $5) and he was done in 5 mns and it looks the same can still see the black build up in between the links

I guess buying one for myself would be the best idea,,,can it be used to clean diamond and gold bracelets too

[77T]

Originally Posted by swedenwatch

I see a lot of black build up between my links and 5 minutes in the ultra sonic didnt seem to do anything,,,,maybe I needed to leave it in there longer,,,

Originally Posted by swedenwatch

how long do most people leave it in the ultra sonic,,,,im beginning to think my local AD isnt the greatest as I took it there for a ultra sonic cleaning (was cheap $5) and he was done in 5 mns and it looks the same can still see the black build up in between the links.

Be sure you're looking at dirty links and not permanently discolored ones.

Five minutes will not remove caked grime. I have left bracelets in for much longer when I got a watch in trade. Sometimes the pink solution turns black with the grime.

But there are times I used a Steam Bullet to shoot very hot steam for a few seconds and then brush. That will get the worst off very fast. Always use gloves and long needle-nose pliers or tweezers (with plastic tips) to hold the bracelet when putting it under the steam jet.

In a pinch you can also use an espresso maker's steam nozzle

[swedenwatch]

Originally Posted by 77T

Be sure you're looking at dirty links and not permanently discolored ones.

Five minutes will not remove caked grime. I have left bracelets in for much longer when I got a watch in trade. Sometimes the pink solution turns black with the grime.

But there are times I used a Steam Bullet to shoot very hot steam for a few seconds and then brush. That will get the worst off very fast. Always use gloves and long needle-nose pliers to hold the bracelet when putting it under the steam jet.

In a pinch you can also use an espresso maker's steam nozzle

Oh ya I had no idea the links can be permanently discoloured,,,,some is black grime as I don't think there would be black if it is discoloured but other spots seems discoloured, on the gold parts of the band....would this be repaired with a polish from rolex when servicing?

[swedenwatch]

Originally Posted by 77T

Be sure you're looking at dirty links and not permanently discolored ones.

Five minutes will not remove caked grime. I have left bracelets in for much longer when I got a watch in trade. Sometimes the pink solution turns black with the grime.

But there are times I used a Steam Bullet to shoot very hot steam for a few seconds and then brush. That will get the worst off very fast. Always use gloves and long needle-nose pliers or tweezers (with plastic tips) to hold the bracelet when putting it under the steam jet.

In a pinch you can also use an espresso maker's steam nozzle

How would you know if it is a discoloured link or grime? And is the steaming/ ultrasonic necessary to remove the hardest grimes or would hot water and brush do the same.

[Eric88]

Can anyone recommend a particular brand or model of ultrasonic cleaner? Thanks.

[swedenwatch]

Originally Posted by Eric88

Can anyone recommend a particular brand or model of ultrasonic cleaner? Thanks.

I would also like to know a good ultrasonic cleaner

I just picked up some Varaet as I have head good reviews so thought why not, and I got a 30% discount by putting in the discount code 24hours,,,thought id share as it is a good discount although i hear soap and water do the same thing lol

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by swedenwatch

I would also like to know a good ultrasonic cleaner

I just picked up some Varaet as I have head good reviews so thought why not, and I got a 30% discount by putting in the discount code 24hours,,,thought id share as it is a good discount although i hear soap and water do the same thing lol

I use Veraet. It's better than soap. No residue to attract dirt.

[nauticajoe]

Warm water, soap, & a soft toothbrush works well for me.

[kilyung]

Soap, water, and toothbrush regularly. When you get it serviced every 5-7 yrs, they'll ultrasonic clean it for you. That should be good enough to last you several lifetimes.