How to clean up the dirt underneath the folded ss bracelet?

[Yoda]

Dear sifus and members

I have one old watch where its stainless steel bracelet is folded type i.e not the solid type. I think in the early days a lot of this folded type were made.

As it has some sentimental values I want to keep it and clean the dirt, grease and all sorts of stuff inside the folded bracelet which has attracted a lot of "stuff" over the years.

Has anyone try to clean the inside? Someone suggested to me to soak the stainless steel bracelet into the Clorox. Would this work?

Your valuable advice please.

 

[klimax]

Mine cleaned by ultra-sonic cleaner, rinse with water followed by air blow dry 

[sshark]

I used an old tooth brush and soap to do the job

[bezelnut]

I brush mine with toothbrush + a little dish drop. The green bottle from Cosway work quite well.

[Yoda]

Mine cleaned by ultra-sonic cleaner, rinse with water followed by air blow dry 

Thank you guys

I have heard a lot about this ultrasonic cleaner, do you mind PM me where you get one of this good stuff? Or perhaps any such service provided?
 

[STT1987]

I have heard a lot about this ultrasonic cleaner, do you mind PM me where you get one of this good stuff? Or perhaps any such service provided?
 

Jewelry stores and spectacles shops use them. I have never seen one in a watch shop though. I dunno if they will let you use their machines to clean your yukky watch bracelets.
  

[r3kahsttub]

If it is just grime and dirt on a stainless steel bracelet, I think an old toothbrush and some soap will easily do the trick.

[sshark]

I read a while ago that the ultrasonic cleaning is not for the mechanical components. You have to separate the watch and the bracelet before cleaning or otherwise it might damage the watch.

[terrenceterrence]

Toothbrush and soap.

[johnthe692006]

try those with soft rated tooth brush. apart from soap. Try use alcohol. I have tried one before it can clean the dirt easier. But remember to rinse through a clean water(not pipe water as it contain chlorine)

[Everdying]

you are talking about these kind of links right?


i'm not sure how helpful a toothbrush is in helping to get dirt out from inside that.
i assume ultrasonic is still your best bet, short of dismantling the whole bracelet and cleaning individually.

[r3kahsttub]

I still think a toothbrush works (ok, maybe not an old toothbrush then  ); just need to have to gently sweep dirt out. And yeah, use one with soft bristles to avoid any scratches.

[TheHobbit]

For me, I use a very old toothbrush and toothpaste. Of course I remove the bracelet from the watch. After that is done, wash with soapy water and another round with the tooth brush. Finish off with a soak in warm water and dish washing fluid. I also swirl or jiggle the bracelet in this mix a few times. I let it soak until the water is cool and final wash in running water.

If really dirty, then have a go with a tooth pick to loosen any grime and DNA. If really really bad, then a visit to my watch guy and have a go at his ultrasonic cleaner.

[FongV]

Ultrasonic cleaners are pretty cheap nowadays. The one I have has a basket that holds the watch case above water while the bracelet is submerged. Or you can just detach the bracelet and clean that.

But do not put watch case in the cleaner. Bad for mechanism and seals. I learnt that the hard way.

Fong

[Xianjeff]

Are u guys sure about the ultrasonic cleanser? i tried it once and the result is not that impressive.

[Lurch]

Fine toothbrush and chinese tea

[Yoda]

you are talking about these kind of links right?


i'm not sure how helpful a toothbrush is in helping to get dirt out from inside that.
i assume ultrasonic is still your best bet, short of dismantling the whole bracelet and cleaning individually.

Yeah that's right those yaki stuff inside, if the ss bracelet can withstand acid that's the best but unfortunately not.

Will have to try all these methods recommended by our members.

Thanks very much

 

[r3kahsttub]

Don't know if this is a weird request... but put up a pic of the links with grime and dirt lah! Then it would be easier to get an impression of just how difficult it would be to remove 

[STT1987]

I would think, if you could remove the watch from the bracelet; a thoroughly good soaking with WD-40, let it marinate in WD-40 for a few hours and a good scrubbing with a fine toothbrush should solve your problem.

Do not get any WD-40 on the watch though as it has been known to do bad things to rubber seals etc. of the watch.

[spirinellio]

a toothbrush will only be able to remove surface dirt. over time, the real dirt and grime on a bracelet is usually in between links, where it is highly difficult to be reached by a toothbrush.

my suggestion is that it might be time to give your watch a proper ultrasonic cleaning treatment.

[fantasywatch2]

i heard sg some ppl buy the ultrasonice machine and wash at home the machine not so exp i heard.

[yohannes86]

Hi guys,

Anyone heard of toothbrush + toothpaste combination before? Does this work well?

[myric]

Hi guys,

Anyone heard of toothbrush + toothpaste combination before? Does this work well?

That what I used always ( toothbrush + toothpaste combination + brush hard on it ). It works well for me.

[onerios]

Using toothpaste with a toothbrush with those super thin bristles work wonders whenever I clean those nooks and crannies.. 

[yohannes86]

But would the bristles scratch the bracelet?