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17 January 2023, 10:32 AM | #1 |
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Buffing out scratches on crystal?
What's the easiest way to do this with a hesalite/plastic crystal on older rolex?
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17 January 2023, 10:47 AM | #2 |
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17 January 2023, 01:51 PM | #3 |
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Polywatch - available on amazon and the most recommended option
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17 January 2023, 02:29 PM | #4 |
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Any plastic polish. Polywatch is fine, but ridiculously expensive. I usually use Novus. If scratches are deep, you need to start with fine sandpaper (I generally start wet sanding with 600 grit), and gradually work to finer grades (e.g. 2000 or 2500 grit) before using the polish.
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17 January 2023, 03:28 PM | #5 |
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Many polishing products used on an automotive paint finish will work. Another product that you can use is headlight polish. You would get years and years of use from a bottle of headlight polish when compared to the thimbleful of Polywatch that comes in one of their tubes.
In my opinion, Polywatch is an overpriced polish and is probably no more than some type of automotive polish repackaged for watch crystals. Toothpaste, as someone else mentioned, seems to work also.
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17 January 2023, 03:33 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
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17 January 2023, 07:57 PM | #7 |
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I gave the toothpaste trick a go and it did the trick for the most part. Pretty happy with the results. Thanks guys.
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18 January 2023, 05:24 AM | #8 |
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I've always used a tiny dab of automotive resin polish, applied with a soft, damp cotton pad (the sort used to remove make-up), gently worked around the crystal surface, followed by a polish with a clean microfibre cloth. Works a treat!
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18 January 2023, 08:09 AM | #9 |
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Which flavour did you use??
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18 January 2023, 08:44 AM | #10 |
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18 January 2023, 08:58 AM | #11 |
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Be careful with toothpaste, it fogged up my crystal once, had to take it to a watchmaker for a polish. It was probably an aftermarket one.
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18 January 2023, 09:08 AM | #12 |
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18 January 2023, 09:42 AM | #13 |
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19 January 2023, 05:12 AM | #14 |
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A few days ago I used the polywatch on my 1601 and it did a remarkable job. Honestly, for $8 I couldn't be happier. Maybe toothpaste would have worked or any number of other solutions, but it was worth that little bit of money on that watch. I figure if I can afford the watch I can afford $8.
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19 January 2023, 10:50 AM | #15 |
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Only Poly Watch.
Any other stuff might have harmful chemicals. |
20 January 2023, 12:46 AM | #16 |
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Please let us know what products might have caustic chemicals in it that might damage your crystal. I've been using automotive polishes for over 50 years on painted surfaces as well as crystals without any issues.
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20 January 2023, 12:50 AM | #17 |
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Yes, many other plastic polishes are specifically made for acrylic. Watch aficionados seem unduly attached to polywatch.
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20 January 2023, 03:00 AM | #18 |
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I just cleaned my 6605 yesterday using Polywatch, here's the before & after of the magnifier lens. I didn't try any other product because I didn't have any handy, I'm sure that any specific product will do the same
IMG_5078.jpg IMG_5077.jpg |
21 January 2023, 11:07 AM | #19 | |
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But I do enjoy a cyclops scuff. Adds character. |
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21 January 2023, 12:20 PM | #20 |
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I always just use some daily fine diamond paste. Probably overkill. As many have mentioned most polishes will work. Acrylic crystals are fairly soft and polishing of any sort is some level of abrasive and will likely remove the offending mark. Just patience dependent upon how aggressive the polish, just always finish with the lightest available
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21 January 2023, 12:58 PM | #21 |
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22 January 2023, 04:39 AM | #22 | |
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Quote:
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22 January 2023, 04:42 AM | #23 |
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