Scratch Romoval Advice?!?

[ctguthrie92]

Hello everyone. First off, I hope everyone had a wonderful new year!
I recently bought a DJ which was scratched up by the previous owner. I know scratches give the watch character and I have tried that approach but its not really working for me. I would like to know the best / cheapest way to effectively remove the hairline scratches from the casing and band (and some of the heavier ones). A local pawn shop (The Castle) polished my old Oyster Precision for $150 and they want $250 for my DJ now. Is there any way I can do it myself? Thanks

[bandityo]

That really needs some professional help. But if you want to improve it..Use a green scotchbrite pad on the band. Stroke length wise to keep it uniform. That will get out most of the band scratches.

The sides of the case you can use a cape cod polishing cloth...that will get a lot out.

Yours seems pretty deep..so these things will improve it but it really needs to get on a professional wheel.

David

[petesjag]

Cape cod cloths.... BUT if that wont work, have a pro do the job with the right equip..
I tryed the same with my Breitling B1.. After I finished it looked better, even ok.. BUT not good enough.. Off it went for a polish and service and it came back as new.. Worth the $$$ I spent.. Totally..
p

[ctguthrie92]

Thanks, yeah I think it will be worth the money. Where did you send yours Pete?

[Alan111]

$250! This polisher is taking your for a ride. Many jewelers here in NY would clean up that whole watch for nothing more than $50 (on a real heavy duty, work intensive job)

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by Alan111

$250! This polisher is taking your for a ride. Many jewelers here in NY would clean up that whole watch for nothing more than $50 (on a real heavy duty, work intensive job)

+1 my watchmaker charges $100 for a polish. Maybe I should move to NY?

[Sonny Crockett]

$ 100.00 for my Sub 2 month ago at my certified Rolex guy in Downtown Miami, Fla . and he does excellent work.

[petesjag]

Originally Posted by ctguthrie92

Thanks, yeah I think it will be worth the money. Where did you send yours Pete?

Cant help you with this one.. Mine went to Breitling in Holland.. It needed a service anyways so the polish was part of the package....It cost hundreds because the service on a watch is expensive..

I had my vintage omega polished by a watchmaker whom I know well. (Holland again) If you go this route make sure its someone who KNOWS what their doing... Check them out well,, because I have heard Horror stories of overpolishing to the point where the case has lost its crisp lines!!!
good luck
p

[Alan111]

Originally Posted by sakuraba

+1 my watchmaker charges $100 for a polish. Maybe I should move to NY?

Just have a walk down 47th street, the Diamond District, where many many jewelers reside. You can even sit and wait while they polish it for you.

[kyle L]

Capecod + Scotchbrite.

[nyyankees]

Scotchbrite pas dude. Works like a charm!

[ctguthrie92]

Wow, big thanks to everyone who suggested the scotch brite pads!!! I was hesitant at first but it really worked, especially on the clasp which was looking rough. It wasnt a professional job, but for $1.29 and 20 minutes it was worth it

These are pics of the finished product minus the cape cod clothes because they are coming in the mail.

[kjb]

Looks Great ! Nice Job

[ctguthrie92]

Thanks

[kyle L]

Is it me, or are the grains now a little crooked?

[ctguthrie92]

Yes they were, just made them straight though

[Speed]

Nicely done.

Make sure your don't polish the brushed areas with Cape Cod.

[ctguthrie92]

Ok thanks Bill, I might tape off the brushed areas or just be really careful... yeah Ill probably just go with the tape.

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by ctguthrie92

Yes they were, just made them straight though

Ok that's good. I remember every time I did the scotchbrite, it always came out crooked.

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by ctguthrie92

Ok thanks Bill, I might tape off the brushed areas or just be really careful... yeah Ill probably just go with the tape.

I used masking tape, it works well. I usually wipe the cape cod over the bracelet a bit to make it shine.

[ctguthrie92]

Originally Posted by kyle L

I used masking tape, it works well. I usually wipe the cape cod over the bracelet a bit to make it shine.

I appreciate the advice Kyle, yeah the second set of pictures made me realize the grain was crooked. I straightened it out again but the grain still isn't perfect, but is better than it was for sure. Btw nice watch wallpapers

[nyyankees]

Great job with the scotchbrite pad. With the cape cods make sure to tape all brushed areas and don't be afraid to start out light, check you progress, and then add more elbow grease to get the polished finish you desire. You'll want to get the bezel too. It will look great.

[Horologier]

You should take it to a professional to have properly polished one that has been trianed in the last 5 to 10 years how to properly polish your Rolex case with out rounding over the egdes and dish out your hole like these quick cheap service guys. Just be carefull if there are just a few scrathes in it. I can tell you how to make it look better. it may not do you any justice to try it, becuase it takes practice and what I have learned doesnt come easy in 20 years. Here is a little trick PLEASE BE CAREFULL You can take a Nail polisher (buff stick) not coarse but final polish and just go over it a little bit at a time. The side of case has a curve on it just be care not to round over the top and bottom edges. it will not be perfect but can take some of the scratches out. My recommendation is to have it done by a Rolex dealer or after sales service center check out the watchmakers at www.watchrestoration.com

Michael The watchmaker

[TurboWatch]

Originally Posted by Horologier

You should take it to a professional to have properly polished one that has been trianed in the last 5 to 10 years how to properly polish your Rolex case with out rounding over the egdes and dish out your hole like these quick cheap service guys. Just be carefull if there are just a few scrathes in it. I can tell you how to make it look better. it may not do you any justice to try it, becuase it takes practice and what I have learned doesnt come easy in 20 years. Here is a little trick PLEASE BE CAREFULL You can take a Nail polisher (buff stick) not coarse but final polish and just go over it a little bit at a time. The side of case has a curve on it just be care not to round over the top and bottom edges. it will not be perfect but can take some of the scratches out. My recommendation is to have it done by a Rolex dealer or after sales service center check out the watchmakers at www.watchrestoration.com

Michael The watchmaker

BUT listen to the PRO

[mps]

Michael...repeatedly tried to access the Internet site you referenced (www.watchrestoration.com) but have been unable to do so. Also unable to locate it on the usual search engines. Can you clarify please? Thanks.

[tommypit]

I tried the polishing cloth on some of my watches and it will take out some light scratches; however if you were happy with the way the pawn shop did your last watch, I would bring your DJ there. Its money well spent.

Good luck

[Tools]

Scotch Brite pads work great at realigning the grain on the bracelet and they don't remove enough metal to do damage.....

But do yourself a favor and remove the bracelet from the watch head.... Then you can get long full length strokes and not have the crooked grain look..

Also, when doing the sides of your case, take the bracelet off.. Make it easier on yourself..


We have some touch up tips over in our Reference Library under The Amateur Watchmakers Corner.....

[sheldonsmith]

Jocke has a real good tutorial on refinishing a pretty beat DateJust, but it entailed removing the movement, crystal, etc. To do it correctly and back to factory finish would entail doing just that.

The guys at http://www.watchrestoration.com/Rolex%20Repair.htm would probably do the same.



If you want to attempt the bracelet and simple case work, I have a tutorial posted at http://www.minus4plus6.com/maintenance.htm

-Sheldon

[rickyslam]

Is Cape Cod safe? Does it take off metal on the watch? Just a thought before I try it on the sides of my Sub and its bezel. Please LMK! THanks.

[PeterT]

Yes Cape Cod does remove metal. However the amount is very small. I use the Cape Cod juice on a lens cloth wrapped around a Q tip to remove polished case side or bracelet light scratches. The actual Cape cod cloth can leave its own scratches as it is quite a harsh material.
Peter