Help ... how to polish ...

[RedDevil]

Hi All,

I have a TT sub ... recently I realised the gold surface on the bracelet seems like turning fr shinny gold to tanishing bronze color.

Anyway to clean it up, other than sending for some professional polishing?

Appreciate any advice. Many Thanks in advance.

Cheers

[77T]

The bad news is your bracelet might be fake if the gold is tarnishing to a bronze color (or brass color)...

But if you mean it is becoming hazy due to surface scratches, then judicious use of a Cape Cod Cloth will remove the slight scratches that are dulling the finish. However, be sure you protect the brushed bracelet link and clasp segments with painter's tape to avoid polishing areas that are meant to be brushed vs. polished.

PS: I happen to subscribe to the theory that polishing is best left until the next regular service because swirls will return within months.

[cop414]

I'd leave them if they are just scratches, as soon as you polish them out new ones will begin to appear all over again. If it's actually tarnished maybe try what Peter has posted below.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

Hi All,

I have a TT sub ... recently I realised the gold surface on the bracelet seems like turning fr shinny gold to tanishing bronze color.

Anyway to clean it up, other than sending for some professional polishing?

Appreciate any advice. Many Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Have you tried just giving watch a wash with soap and water gold it self cannot tarnish, its the other 25% alloy make up in the 18Kt gold that can tarnish.You could try one of the various gold polishing cloths you can buy from most jewelers.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have you tried just giving watch a wash with soap and water gold it self cannot tarnish, its the other 25% alloy make up in the 18Kt gold that can tarnish.You could try one of the various gold polishing cloths you can buy from most jewelers.

Peter, so the gold in the bracelet can actually tarnish? All that I've ever seen were bright in color, a little scratched maybe but never tarnished.

[bigrustypig]

Originally Posted by cop414

Peter, so the gold in the bracelet can actually tarnish? All that I've ever seen were bright in color, a little scratched maybe but never tarnished.

Maybe"tarnish" is not the correct term to use. I notice that the gold tends to turn "redder" than usual after extended use but a simple soap and water treatment and polishing with an old tee shirt is enough to return the yellow lustre of gold.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by cop414

Peter, so the gold in the bracelet can actually tarnish? All that I've ever seen were bright in color, a little scratched maybe but never tarnished.

Thats correct Tim the gold it self cannot tarnish its the copper or what ever alloy to make up the 25%alloy 75%gold.Its normally caused one by not keeping it clean or say chemicals we use like say a deodorant or even our own sweat especially in a high humidity country.Even the preparation of vegetables such as onions and spices (many foodstuffs contain sulphur compounds and others are also acidic)and can tarnish discolour it.But this type of tarnish can normally be polished out yourself but if bad then it will have to be polished professionally.

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by padi56

Thats correct Tim the gold it self cannot tarnish its the copper or what ever alloy to make up the 25%alloy 75%gold.Its normally caused one by not keeping it clean or say chemicals we use like say a deodorant or even our own sweat especially in a high humidity country.Even the preparation of vegetables such as onions and spices (many foodstuffs contain sulphur compounds and others are also acidic)and can tarnish discolour it.But this type of tarnish can normally be polished out yourself but if bad then it will have to be polished professionally.

Thanks for that info Peter.

[bridgs]

Thanks for the lesson on gold. I learned something new!

[Vincent65]

same with silver - other metals in silver are what makes it tarnish

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by 77T

The bad news is your bracelet might be fake if the gold is tarnishing to a bronze color (or brass color)...

But if you mean it is becoming hazy due to surface scratches, then judicious use of a Cape Cod Cloth will remove the slight scratches that are dulling the finish. However, be sure you protect the brushed bracelet link and clasp segments with painter's tape to avoid polishing areas that are meant to be brushed vs. polished.

PS: I happen to subscribe to the theory that polishing is best left until the next regular service because swirls will return within months.

So, would you avoid using the Cape Cod cloth 'all over' the watch? I was thinking of using it on the WG bezel of my DJ, but also on the case and bracelet of the DJ and my Sub.

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by Jack T

So, would you avoid using the Cape Cod cloth 'all over' the watch? I was thinking of using it on the WG bezel of my DJ, but also on the case and bracelet of the DJ and my Sub.

As I have been recently taught, CC cloth on polished areas only.

[SWISSAHOLICS]

In terms of gold, the proper word used is oxidize....tarnish is said when dealing with silver. And yes gold can oxidize over time no matter how high the karat weight of the gold is. I have seen 22k gold jewelry oxidizing....so it's not a big deal.

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by bigrustypig

Maybe"tarnish" is not the correct term to use. I notice that the gold tends to turn "redder" than usual after extended use but a simple soap and water treatment and polishing with an old tee shirt is enough to return the yellow lustre of gold.

Maybe "tanish" isn't the right word, apologies. And you are spot-on, it turned abit darker, abit "redder" indeed.

[wdalew5]

I have recently picked up an ultra sonic cleaner on ebay. It makes my TT sub ( as well as my others ) look and feel great. A little warm water and a pinch of Dawn and after 430 seconds, it is done.

Only paid 10 $ on ebay..

My raybans fit perfectly also in the machine. I am thrilled

[cop414]

Thank you for the info Peter, very interesting.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by wdalew5

I have recently picked up an ultra sonic cleaner on ebay. It makes my TT sub ( as well as my others ) look and feel great. A little warm water and a pinch of Dawn and after 430 seconds, it is done.

Only paid 10 $ on ebay..

My raybans fit perfectly also in the machine. I am thrilled

$10 for those shoes seems about right Dale.

[Rags]

This is why I prefer SS brushed over PCL's. if the scratches get to be too much you can take out most of them with a scotchbrite pad & a 000 steel wool pad till its time for a full service.



Rags