i always wanted to share these steps, especially for WIS like us. who always dream to hv all our watches keeping in mint condition. but ofcox, i'm not talking about professional watch restoration... atleast something simple and light we can do to our watches comestically. rather than spending hundreds and hundreds for professional polishing service on some desk swirl or light scratches.
ok, this is the restoration piece:
actually, overall the watch condition is not too bad. just simple light scratches which could be buffed off easily.
things required (but not necessary depend on what you got at home):
- scotch brite scratching pad, get the heavy duty one (to be used for rubbing brushed area)
- celophone tape (best with masking tape, to cover gloss finish area. but i hv none at home now,so this will play its role)
- very very light metal/ss abrasive compound (don't use autosol for fine finishing, as autosol is very abrasive)
- metal soak/cleaning powder + a bowl of water
- a pair of old socks (clean one pls, n 100% cotton) for rubbing/cleaning
- finally, very important... sharp eyes, focus point and very good patience (+ passion of doing it)
steps:- i'm starting on the glass, i applied the tape on the glass, then use small knife to cut around the shape of the glass (so the crystal is protected)
- n GS has very sexy bodyliner, it takes me a while to mask up those glossy area with the tape. (again, masking tape is easier to apply here, compare to cellophone tape)
- then, start to rub gentlely on the brushed area, 1 direction each time. light pressure might be needed for stubborn scratch. this take time, so be patience and be focus. (always remind urself, how much this piece cost u, so u would be extra careful)
- after 3-5 minutes of gentle rub using the scotch brite in 1 parallel direction, then use a very little compound of the mag polish, rub it with the sock. this is to smoothen the uneven hairline surface cox by the pressure u applied during the rubbing.
- this is what you get, after u take off the tape. (looking good huh?!)
- next, the scratches bezel. noted that, the glass is still v the tape applied.
- this would take few round trip to rub, be patience, and apply the polishing wax evenly. after 15 minutes of gentle rubbing, this is what you getting.
- apply some wax on the back case as well as the polished area, then rub in circular way. cleaned up the left over wax using another clean socks. this is what you get.
- rub some on the side too, it will surely revive the shininess of the GS
- take a look on the bezel again, notice still has some light scratch found, but the swirl lines were gone.
- did another light rub again, and this is the final result on the bezel, glossy shine.
- okay, put the watch case on a safe place, now proceed on the bracelet. use the scotch pad again here, to rub the bracelet, again in 1 direction for every single rub. (as to maintain the consistency of the brushed-line pattern)
- after 2-5 minutes of rubbing, i'm giving the bracelet a mild touch up as no serious scratch found to it. then the mag polish compound is used again, to smoothen the surface. rub it using the socks, see the dark left over, those show the process of abrasion occured.
- then, clean it using the clean socks again. here is the result for the bracelet n the buckle
- finish? nope, u hv to get rid of those abrasive compound out of ur watch completely. but how? this powder play its role here. (can be purchased easily at amcorp mall, tried many product... so far.. this is the best for SS/metal cleaning and shine reviving)
- put a tea spoon of the powder into a bowl of tap water, then put the bracelet in. soak for 2 minutes.
- then dip and dunk it, the same procedure goes for the watch case
- then, clean it with the clean socks again. check out the shininess of it.... wow!
- now, put back the bracelet. again, taped both side of the lugs to prevent scratches.
- and the watch is good to go now... taa daaaa!
overall verdict..
restore to mint condition... (ofcox not brand new la... even u go for professional polishing with a close up look using a loupe will show its aged)
the end. hope this step-by-step guide could really give an idea on how to remove light scratches on your watches, without paying anything but your time, patience and your love to your watch.
the end.
p/s: sorry for the bad photos, just realised the photos were taken with the ND filter on, causing the auto WB mis-functioning.
and... peter, i will wear this in good health
