A cautionary tale about polishing

[Fanofsteel]

Happy new year, folks. I have a cautionary tale for ya. It will mainly entertain/amuse, but I’m also hoping to pass along some helpful advice. The story begins when I got my first “unacceptable” scratch on the clasp of my new Sub-date 41. I read all the threads warning against using scotch brite, but I just couldn’t help myself. Unsatisfied with the job I did on the clasp, I had a highly regarded Rolex specialist repair shop in Southern CA (which I won’t name) refinish the clasp (first pic). It turns out my refinishing job with scotch brite was much better than what these folks did. I almost sent my watch to another shop, but instead ran into a few posts by a forum member named Mystro. I got inspired by his posts to do it myself, but do it RIGHT. I’m much happier with the results (second pic).

Now here’s the clincher — if I could do it all again, I would listen to the original advice that’s been repeated many times: just leave it alone and let the watch collect scratches, which are inevitable.

- - - -
Edited to add (since it was asked & others might also be wondering): It took a some experimentation with the different grits. The red scotch brite is closer to the factory level of coarseness, while the gray scotch brite is finer than factory, but I personally preferred it.

If I REALLY wanted to get a factory finish back on the clasp, I'd send it to Rik Dietel (http://www.timecareinc.com/ -- this is Mystro's recommendation, and I've seen his work posted on these forums, it's immaculate), even over the RSC.

[geoffreyis]

Pics?

[Fanofsteel]

Originally Posted by geoffreyis

Pics?

I had the wrong URLs in the code. Should be visible now.

[1665fan]

No polish ever!!!! The first bad job someone gets they will realize

[Emery]

The only silver lining I can think of is that your Sub is still an in-production model, so it can be replaced with a new model if it’s something that will end up gnawing at you every time you look at it.

Imagine if you had done it on an older Sub instead hah!

[doozyj]

Idk but the first pic looks better than the second pic. Second pic brushing doesn’t look factory at all.

[Fanofsteel]

Originally Posted by doozyj

Idk but the first pic looks better than the second pic. Second pic brushing doesn’t look factory at all.

To each their own. In my eyes, the first pic is ghastly.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Fanofsteel

To each their own. In my eyes, the first pic is ghastly.

Yes, looks terrible

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by doozyj

Idk but the first pic looks better than the second pic. Second pic brushing doesn’t look factory at all.

Agree the first one looks fine, I’d be more than satisfied with that. The second looks like a bad polish. Sorry.

[Fanofsteel]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

Agree the first one looks fine, I’d be more than satisfied with that. The second looks like a bad polish. Sorry.

You’re entitled to your opinion. To me, my job at least has no diagonal lines. The shop’s job simply hurts my eyes.

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by Fanofsteel

You’re entitled to your opinion. To me, my job at least has no diagonal lines. The shop’s job simply hurts my eyes.

Sorry, I shouldn’t have said bad polish. I just think maybe it needs more grain. It looks like satin vs a grain. I’ve done a lot of light polishing to fix a blemish or two and have found the green scotch brite to be the closest. Sometimes pressure makes a big difference and honing that in really pulls out a near factory look. What I’ve also learned was if the grain is too fine, much like your second pic, after a while your shirt sleeve will polish it more, making it brighter. That’s why I think the original may have worked better over time. Anyway I wouldn’t mess with it anymore unless you’re up for more experimentation. You did a very good job.

[Fanofsteel]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

Sorry, I shouldn’t have said bad polish. I just think maybe it needs more grain. It looks like satin vs a grain. I’ve done a lot of light polishing to fix a blemish or two and have found the green scotch brite to be the closest. Sometimes pressure makes a big difference and honing that in really pulls out a near factory look. What I’ve also learned was if the grain is too fine, much like your second pic, after a while your shirt sleeve will polish it more, making it brighter. That’s why I think the original may have worked better over time. Anyway I wouldn’t mess with it anymore unless you’re up for more experimentation. You did a very good job.

I appreciate the clarification, and I know exactly what you’re saying, regarding a grain vs satin look. The finish on my clasp was significantly coarser/grainier with a red scotch brite finishing. I then took it down to a finer grit with the grey scotch brite and liked the look even more. I’ve never actually tried the green scotch brite for fear of it being too coarse. My plan going forward is leave it alone and resist the temptation to refinish it with every bad scratch. Easier said than done, of course.

[Frits1980]

Its the clasp... Nobody evens sees the damn thing.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by doozyj

Idk but the first pic looks better than the second pic. Second pic brushing doesn’t look factory at all.

I agree. My DSSD is similar to that and I like it. Kinda rustic.

As long as the OP is content that's what matters in the end.

[afmars]

Unfortunately you learned the hard way.

[JC316]

Wow you did a really good job! How much effort did that take?

Life life without regret and in good health!

[Fanofsteel]

Originally Posted by JC316

Wow you did a really good job! How much effort did that take?

Life life without regret and in good health!

It took a some experimentation with the different grits. The red scotch brite is closer to the factory level of coarseness, while the gray scotch brite is finer than factory, but I personally preferred it.

If I REALLY wanted to get a factory finish back on the clasp, I'd send it to Rik Dietel (http://www.timecareinc.com/ -- this is Mystro's recommendation, and I've seen his work posted on these forums, it's immaculate), even over the RSC.

[Fanofsteel]

Originally Posted by S’portEye

The first pic is a pretty sloppy job. Nice work on the second pic.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Al1969

So who did the work in the first pic?

I'd rather not say, since some folks might be satisfied with their work, and perhaps my personal standards are too high. Instead, I'd rather just caution folks against getting any polishing done at all.

[Carondelet]

Originally Posted by Fanofsteel

I'd rather not say, since some folks might be satisfied with their work, and perhaps my personal standards are too high. Instead, I'd rather just caution folks against getting any polishing done at all.

I think this a great message to send, thank you for this thread.

[SaddleSC]

Where in the heck is the scratch? I don't see it in either picture. The brushing just looks softer in the second image.

[Fanofsteel]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

Where in the heck is the scratch? I don't see it in either picture. The brushing just looks softer in the second image.

The first pic was taken after I had the shop refinish the clasp. The second pic is after I re-did their re-finishing job.

[brandrea]

A light polish at routine service interval is all that’s necessary IMO

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by brandrea

A light polish at routine service interval is all that’s necessary IMO

Bingo.

Expensive lesson to learn OP but thank you for sharing. Sadly, I fear many won’t learn from it.

[Fanofsteel]

Originally Posted by brandrea

A light polish at routine service interval is all that’s necessary IMO

Thanks for chiming in. I probably would skip all polishing, haha.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by brandrea

A light polish at routine service interval is all that’s necessary IMO

Exactly that Brian and with todays mainly pampered watches service depending on use say every 5 -10 years at RSC, it would take average of 5 service polishes to notice any slight difference.

[BLACKHORSE 6]

Originally Posted by padi56

Exactly that Brian and with todays mainly pampered watches service depending on use say every 5 -10 years at RSC, it would take average of 5 service polishes to notice any slight difference.

That’s what I thought would have happened… but apparently some noob at RSC went after my watch with a vengeance. I don’t let it bother me too much from enjoying the watch, but it’s something I notice every now and then.

[S’portEye]

The first pic is a pretty sloppy job. Nice work on the second pic.

[Al1969]

So who did the work in the first pic?

[Mystro]

Well I am so proud. These watches are not hard to take care of and once you get over the fear and learn some basic skills, you will enjoy your watch even more knowing not to fear the everyday scratches. A factory finish is absolutely obtainable.
That said you also learn what “not” to attempt once you master the basic skills and a better understanding where your comfort and skill level is. The biggest and most fundamental to all of this is to even know what a factory finish looks like. It’s not a simple as just looking at a pic but rather reading the grain texture and feeling it with you fingers.

[Fanofsteel]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Well I am so proud. These watches are not hard to take care of and once you get over the fear and learn some basic skills, you will enjoy your watch even more knowing not to fear the everyday scratches.

Your posts on here are pure gold!