Rolex & Cape Cod Cloth

[StevenMichael]

Ok, I have a question here. I was curious about polishing a scratch off of my Steel Sub case. I’ve heard so much about Cape Cloths so I got one. I was not crazy enough to take it to my watch but I wanted to experiment so I grabbed a stainless steel Gerber kitchen knife. It was shiny with some scratches. The Cape Cod Cloth seemed to have no effect whatsoever? What am I missing here? Why do people act like it’s such an easy way to take out a scratch?

[donq]

It really depends on how deep the scratch is.
Cape cod is a polishing cloth for removing hairline scratches and making things shiny.
It takes a lot of rubbing and elbow grease.
Anything really significant will require the attention of a jeweler.

[MinMay]

cape cod is only used for the polish area..not the brush.

[JBF1911]

Try it on some sterling silver and you can really see what it can do. On stainless steel it’s not as impressive, but it can help with a hairline scratches and swirls.


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[TonyYu]

I did it for SS. Cannot remove major scratches, but it make them a lot less discoverable. Very good on hairline scratches and make it look new.

I applied Cape Cod first, raise it with water. And then one more additional step which is not necessary but can make it perfect. I publish the SS with gold/silver polishing clothes afterward.

[ashokleyland]

Imo.. Cape cods fools your eyes that scratch is removed due to instant luster effect it will give.. but after the shine is gone you will start to see again those swirl marks. Used it on my shiny panerai, later stopped using it as I found it useless..

[RJRJRJ]

It will shine up the polished areas nicely. Go to town on it and get the finish you want (polished surfaces). Tape up or avoid the brushed areas unless you want want a brushed area that looks messed up.

[joespeed29]

from what I read, do not use it on brushed surfaces like the bracelet!

case is fine as thats already polished..

i have a GMTc and with the PCL's i dont dare touch it.

i find soap bath serves it well

[padi56]

Originally Posted by StevenMichael

Ok, I have a question here. I was curious about polishing a scratch off of my Steel Sub case. I’ve heard so much about Cape Cloths so I got one. I was not crazy enough to take it to my watch but I wanted to experiment so I grabbed a stainless steel Gerber kitchen knife. It was shiny with some scratches. The Cape Cod Cloth seemed to have no effect whatsoever? What am I missing here? Why do people act like it’s such an easy way to take out a scratch?

IMHO all scratches are best left to normal routine service only every 5-8 years.

[Hilly10]

I have fetched some more then fine scratches out of the case sides but it’s hard graft, the good thing is you will not ruin the watch.

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by StevenMichael

Ok, I have a question here. I was curious about polishing a scratch off of my Steel Sub case. I’ve heard so much about Cape Cloths so I got one. I was not crazy enough to take it to my watch but I wanted to experiment so I grabbed a stainless steel Gerber kitchen knife. It was shiny with some scratches. The Cape Cod Cloth seemed to have no effect whatsoever? What am I missing here? Why do people act like it’s such an easy way to take out a scratch?

It will remove all of the surface scratches and swirls but it will only mask the deeper scratches and they will eventually reappear after a couple of months if not sooner.

I see no problem with using Cape Cod carefully only on the polished sides of the case and any bracelet with PCLs. It does wonders but you have to be careful not to get it over anything that is brushed!

On a PCL bracelet it is best to remove the bracelet, tape the brushed outer links with polyimide tape (https://www.esslinger.com/watch-repa...e-choose-size/), and then proceed to use a small piece of Cape Cod. Have a microfiber cloth on hand to wipe away the excess and repeat if scratches are still there.

Once you're done rinse the watch under lukewarm water. You can even use a tiny amount of dish soap to clean off any leftover sticky stuff. You can also use a soft toothbrush to clean between the links from the brushed side. And voila, you'll have a bracelet looking brand new.

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by joespeed29

from what I read, do not use it on brushed surfaces like the bracelet!

case is fine as thats already polished..

i have a GMTc and with the PCL's i dont dare touch it.

i find soap bath serves it well

If you do go over the brushed links by accident, then you will need something like your common kitchen green scotch brite pad and/or 0000 steel wool will do the job! You really can't mess up your watch if you tape off the polished center links properly!

[Pauln]

It’s just going to get more scratches. And there’s always the potential that you may make things worse. Take my word on that last point.

[fania123]

Originally Posted by ashokleyland

Imo.. Cape cods fools your eyes that scratch is removed due to instant luster effect it will give.. but after the shine is gone you will start to see again those swirl marks. Used it on my shiny panerai, later stopped using it as I found it useless..

This

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by lecorsaire

and/or 0000 steel wool will do the job! You really can't mess up your watch if you tape off the polished center links properly!

Scotch Brite is synthetic and okay, DO NOT use steel wool.

[Nikrnic]

I went after a wide white mark on my Milgauss bezel, have no idea how that one showed up but it took some good rubbing several times with a fresh cape cod but it worked.

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[HONDABBQ]

So everyone says use a Scotch Brite pad.
Which one? There are dozens.

[Eagle dunes 75]

Originally Posted by ashokleyland

Imo.. Cape cods fools your eyes that scratch is removed due to instant luster effect it will give.. but after the shine is gone you will start to see again those swirl marks. Used it on my shiny panerai, later stopped using it as I found it useless..

Agree. I have tried them many times but have never seen any real improvement

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by padi56

IMHO all scratches are best left to normal routine service only every 5-8 years.

this

[kauffee]

I made a few frustrating scratches and decided to try Cape Cod on just the clasp. It actually worked pretty well. Not perfect but you won’t do any damage. Here’s the before and after. I’m pleased.





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[StevenMichael]

How!?

[Chuckwagon]

I wouldn’t attempt a DIY refinish unless you know what you are doing or have the equipment. When I dinged the side of my submariner watch I contacted Rolex and spoke to the service dept manager who kindly agreed to do a polish-only service on it and I got it back after 2 weeks with the ding/scratch perfectly removed.

[marcotagudelo]

I tried cape cod cloth on a polished side of the case with a noe parted explorer ii and it left a hazey shadow where i was rubbing, think i have searched here and some say keep going to eliminate the haze but took it to a jeweler, anyone now what i mean regarding the hazey shadow after applying cape cod cloth?

[TimingIsEverything]

Originally Posted by marcotagudelo

I tried cape cod cloth on a polished side of the case with a noe parted explorer ii and it left a hazey shadow where i was rubbing, think i have searched here and some say keep going to eliminate the haze but took it to a jeweler, anyone now what i mean regarding the hazey shadow after applying cape cod cloth?

Yes I know exactly what you mean by the white haze. At first, I thought it was creating more “microscratches” however, upon detailed inspection under bright light, it looks to be a haze that cannot be rubbed off with soap and water. I would imagine using a soft microfiber cloth WITH the solution Cape Cod Cloths’ are soaked in will do the trick.

I don’t believe using the pink cloth is for use to get the bright mirror finish, just to start the removal of deeper scratches.

[m j b]

I've always had good luck with the CC cloth. I always clean the watch thoroughly afterwards, and have not had an issue.

I do like Matt (@kauffee) did above, and just use painter's tape to mask the brushed portions.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by m j b

I've always had good luck with the CC cloth. I always clean the watch thoroughly afterwards, and have not had an issue.

I do like Matt (@kauffee) did above, and just use painter's tape to mask the brushed portions.

Plus two. Cape Cod used carefully does a great job on minor blemishes on polished surfaces. Always tape off brushed parts and wash in soap and water when done.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by padi56

IMHO all scratches are best left to normal routine service only every 5-8 years.

I completely agree.

[BVLDARI]

Good thread. Subscribed.

[Jace]

I have refinished more than a dozen wrist watches. I actually enjoy doing it. I have brushing pencils, find medium and course Matte stones and have used Cape Cod polishing cloths for years.

I have put a polish/re-finish on three different Royal Oak’s as well as PP’s.

Rolex is a very easy watch to polish. The Cape Cod cloth will really take out the superficial swirly‘s but it will not be the same as a jeweler using a rouge and rouge wheel. I do not tape off the brush finish but I refinish the brush after I am done with the Cape Cod cloth using brush pencils.

There are many horror stories of people trying to fiddle with the polish with their watches. It is not for the faint of heart especially when you’re dealing with a Royal Oak. The finish is so specific that it is really easy to screw it up and probably not worth it unless you’re crazy like me in like doing it.

Please understand this is good for touchups. It’s some point you need to send it in and have it professionally done. Every time he polisher watch you lose a little bit of the surface. To watch in the photo is platinum and supposedly platinum doesn’t flake off it’s simply gets pushed around.

Consider at your own risk




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[smym18]

Originally Posted by StevenMichael

Ok, I have a question here. I was curious about polishing a scratch off of my Steel Sub case. I’ve heard so much about Cape Cloths so I got one. I was not crazy enough to take it to my watch but I wanted to experiment so I grabbed a stainless steel Gerber kitchen knife. It was shiny with some scratches. The Cape Cod Cloth seemed to have no effect whatsoever? What am I missing here? Why do people act like it’s such an easy way to take out a scratch?

I agree. I used one on either my YM or Sub and didn't notice a change.