Buffing out scratches on crystal?

[WatchEater666]

What's the easiest way to do this with a hesalite/plastic crystal on older rolex?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

What's the easiest way to do this with a hesalite/plastic crystal on older rolex?

A small daub of toothpaste. Rub it around on the crystal for a minute. The wipe off with a soft rag until it shines.

[hutch300]

Polywatch - available on amazon and the most recommended option

[Dan S]

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.

[springer]

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.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Dan S

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.

This is good advice, Some scratches will need light sanding with various grits of sandpaper to fully remove scratches.

[WatchEater666]

I gave the toothpaste trick a go and it did the trick for the most part. Pretty happy with the results. Thanks guys.

[StanGMT]

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!

Stan.

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

I gave the toothpaste trick a go and it did the trick for the most part. Pretty happy with the results. Thanks guys.

Which flavour did you use??

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Which flavour did you use??

Just some boring ole crest :)

[swaini3]

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.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by swaini3

Be careful with toothpaste, it fogged up my crystal once...

Agree. I'm not spending that much on a watch and then going cheap on the crystal polish.

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Agree. I'm not spending that much on a watch and then going cheap on the crystal polish.

learnt my lesson....

[Ferrari308]

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.


PDG

[Filipão]

Only Poly Watch.

Any other stuff might have harmful chemicals.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Filipão

Only Poly Watch.

Any other stuff might have harmful chemicals.

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.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by springer

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.

Yes, many other plastic polishes are specifically made for acrylic. Watch aficionados seem unduly attached to polywatch.

[baumare]

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

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by baumare

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

That's come out really well. I love that open red 6 with the vintage serif font.

But I do enjoy a cyclops scuff. Adds character.

[Jackie Daytona]

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

[baumare]

Originally Posted by zapokee

That's come out really well. I love that open red 6 with the vintage serif font.

But I do enjoy a cyclops scuff. Adds character.

Thanks!
I forgot to mention that I also used a very fine sand paper before the polywatch

[CarlOver]

Originally Posted by baumare

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

Attachment 1343653

Attachment 1343654

24 days of polishing will always make it look good.

[baumare]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

24 days of polishing will always make it look good.

Toke me a while but I got it (the joke...)