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Old 14 June 2014, 09:43 PM   #1
duffman
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Remove Rolex Vault Copper look

I have a 18K Rolex which has been in storage for quite some time and has developed what I've seen referred to as the 'vault copper' look. Whats the best way to get this back to shining 18k yellow gold look? Does it have to be polished and refinished?

I have an example picture I found online as a reference below

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Old 14 June 2014, 09:44 PM   #2
shgems
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Just try a polishing cloth and see how it comes up.
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Old 14 June 2014, 09:51 PM   #3
edgware14
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Ultrasonic cleaner and a good polish should do the trick
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Old 14 June 2014, 10:04 PM   #4
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A very unique Rolex.
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Old 14 June 2014, 10:10 PM   #5
Rolextraderflorida
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gorgeous watch
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Old 15 June 2014, 12:38 AM   #6
duffman
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Thanks guys, is there any particular cloth to us
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Old 15 June 2014, 01:11 AM   #7
Keith1
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I like Sunshine polishing cloths for the polished parts.
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Old 15 June 2014, 01:26 AM   #8
accce
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Have you tried soap and water? I would start off with soap and water and a lint free polishing cloth without any polish in the cloth.
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Old 15 June 2014, 01:28 AM   #9
franzy
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Cool looking Rolex! Good luck shinning her up.
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Old 15 June 2014, 01:50 AM   #10
Sean.UK
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Looks good as is, if you ask me.
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Old 15 June 2014, 01:54 AM   #11
Johny
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post a pic of your watch.
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Old 15 June 2014, 02:11 AM   #12
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A Little warm water and liquid hand soap if you don't have an ultrasonic cleaner
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Old 15 June 2014, 02:34 AM   #13
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Nice watch, how long was it kept in the dark?
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Old 15 June 2014, 02:45 AM   #14
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Nice watch, how long was it kept in the dark?
Instead of posting a pic of his watch he took one of the net.
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Old 15 June 2014, 02:50 AM   #15
duffman
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Quote:
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Instead of posting a pic of his watch he took one of the net.
Well its in a safe in a bank unfortunately and im at home!
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Old 15 June 2014, 02:56 AM   #16
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Well its in a safe in a bank unfortunately and im at home!
Ok.
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Old 15 June 2014, 02:59 AM   #17
tkerrmd
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Quote:
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Instead of posting a pic of his watch he took one of the net.
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Old 15 June 2014, 03:01 AM   #18
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id just wear it and be very happy ,,, or ill wear it for a while for you ,, if that helps.
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Old 15 June 2014, 03:09 AM   #19
duffman
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Thanks for all the suggestions folks, when I get her out of the safe, I will give it a go! If it doesnt work out, ill get a watch maker to polish it up, when I get a diamond bezel installed on it
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Old 15 June 2014, 05:03 PM   #20
dcash0615
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I wouldn't touch it. Leave it as is. If it is not polished right you will never get a consistent finish/color and it will not look right.
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Old 15 June 2014, 06:01 PM   #21
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DON'T touch it. Polish it and it will stop talking to you...and just be another Rolex.
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Old 15 June 2014, 06:27 PM   #22
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If it was mine, I'd clean it with dish soap and water, if it doesn't clean up, I'd give it to a SKILLED watchmaker who has experience dealing to Rolex to take care of it. I'd tell him to try whatever cloth first before using any polishing machine on it: a light "chemical" polish so to speak.
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Old 15 June 2014, 09:01 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by duffman View Post
Thanks for all the suggestions folks, when I get her out of the safe, I will give it a go! If it doesnt work out, ill get a watch maker to polish it up, when I get a diamond bezel installed on it
hi if possible please post a few pics before you do anything to it. I would like to see the colour of the gold.
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Old 15 June 2014, 09:10 PM   #24
crowncollection
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It's quite common, polishes right off don't worry.
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Old 18 June 2014, 10:49 PM   #25
Mr. K
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The watch will look so good after you polish her up.
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Old 18 June 2014, 11:30 PM   #26
SkooterNB
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Depends if you are looking to sell the piece eventually. Some collectors seek the patina on the case because it means that it hasn't been touched.
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Old 19 June 2014, 02:17 AM   #27
rmfnla
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Any quality gold or silver polish on a soft cloth will clean it right up, and there really is no possibility of damaging the watch so don't be afraid.

Once you have it where you like it give it a good wash with soap and warm water, dry and buff with a soft towel and it will look like new!
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Old 19 June 2014, 03:48 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmfnla View Post
Any quality gold or silver polish on a soft cloth will clean it right up, and there really is no possibility of damaging the watch so don't be afraid.

Once you have it where you like it give it a good wash with soap and warm water, dry and buff with a soft towel and it will look like new!
Damage? I guess it depends on whether you consider removing some of the metal "damaging" it.

Personally, I wouldn't use any polishing compound on my watches, but to each his own.
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Old 19 June 2014, 04:14 AM   #29
Alexwwjd
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IMHO it looks awesome as it is. It doesn't need anything. It's a perfect beauty. Polishing it would be like getting a plastic surgery.
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Old 19 June 2014, 10:21 PM   #30
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I think it gives it character
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