closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Results 1 to 30 of 30

Thread: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

  1. #1
    Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Cardiff, South Wales.
    Posts
    1,321

    Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Anyone have any ideas on what's best to get scratches out of watch glass/crystal/perspex's?

    I have read somewhere of a paste you can use and rub in that makes the marks 'vanish'.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Journeyman
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Manchester, UK
    Posts
    239

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    If it's an acrylic crystal just a tiny bit of Brasso rubbed over scratches does the trick.

  3. #3
    Grand Master MartynJC (UK)'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Somewhere else
    Posts
    12,324
    Blog Entries
    22

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    I have a small tube of 'PolyWatch' for this purpose - do a google search - not expensive. This will work for acrylic - non-sapphire - style watch crystals
    “ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG

  4. #4
    Banned
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Cambridge, UK
    Posts
    5,540

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    As above - Polywatch is the stuff. But anything mildly abrasive will do - Auto Glym paint restorer, toothpaste etc (as well as the suggestion above)

    PS. If it is glass, then nothing will work AFAIK.

  5. #5
    Master gunner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Kent
    Posts
    4,789

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Mask off the bezel with tape and 5mins with some toothpaste should sort you out for small scratches in acrylic.

  6. #6
    Master quoll's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    4,705

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    If it is mineral crystal or sapphire, you can use diamond paste. I have successfully removed scratches in both using a variety of paste grades and a lot of patience and elbow grease. The hardest to get scratches out of that I have experienced is Seiko 'Hardlex'. that one was a complete b****r.

    You can find the paste on eBay: try item number 260771856300.

  7. #7
    Apprentice
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    UK/Thailand/Singapore
    Posts
    28

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Tape off the bezel, use toothpaste in small circular motions and clean with fresh water.

  8. #8
    Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Manchester
    Posts
    8,486

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by europa

    PS. If it is glass, then nothing will work AFAIK.
    PM Dietcokeman.

  9. #9
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NW Leics
    Posts
    8,145

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by europa
    As above - Polywatch is the stuff. But anything mildly abrasive will do - Auto Glym paint restorer, toothpaste etc (as well as the suggestion above)

    PS. If it is glass, then nothing will work AFAIK.
    You can definitely get scratches out of glass, even sapphire. Mere Brasso can dramatically diminish the appearance of a scratch on mineral or even sapphire glass.

  10. #10
    Banned
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Cambridge, UK
    Posts
    5,540

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by monogroover
    Quote Originally Posted by europa
    As above - Polywatch is the stuff. But anything mildly abrasive will do - Auto Glym paint restorer, toothpaste etc (as well as the suggestion above)

    PS. If it is glass, then nothing will work AFAIK.
    You can definitely get scratches out of glass, even sapphire. Mere Brasso can dramatically diminish the appearance of a scratch on mineral or even sapphire glass.
    Really - I didn't know that.

  11. #11

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Cirium oxide for mineral glass... :wink:

  12. #12
    Grand Master gray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    New Brighton
    Posts
    11,555

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    What they said, plus, if it's sapphire, diamond paste will work - coarsish first, then finer for the finish - depending on depth of scratch.
    Gray

  13. #13
    Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Cardiff, South Wales.
    Posts
    1,321

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Wow, fantastic!

    Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to respond, I'll check these methods out.

    Cheers

    Tony

  14. #14
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    N W London - Harrow
    Posts
    711

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Lets know how you get on, I may need to do the same...good luck

    Robin

  15. #15
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Bellville, Texas
    Posts
    3,772

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by Antony23
    Wow, fantastic!

    Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to respond, I'll check these methods out.

    Cheers

    Tony
    Don't get to thinking it's easy, young man. This Bulova took about an hour or more.



    but it can be worth it . .



    I polish by hand. Deep scratches are removed first with a diamond sharpener, without pressure, until the surface is flat.

    Then, ever-finer grades of wet'n'dry 240 grit down to 2000 grit.

    And finally - as already said - cerium oxide is best for that final polish on mineral glass.

    For acrylic, I've recently found this to give a much better finish than Brasso or Chrome polish . . .


  16. #16
    Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Cardiff, South Wales.
    Posts
    1,321

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by xpatUSA
    Quote Originally Posted by Antony23
    Wow, fantastic!

    Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to respond, I'll check these methods out.

    Cheers

    Tony
    Don't get to thinking it's easy, young man. This Bulova took about an hour or more.



    but it can be worth it . .



    I polish by hand. Deep scratches are removed first with a diamond sharpener, without pressure, until the surface is flat.

    Then, ever-finer grades of wet'n'dry 240 grit down to 2000 grit.

    And finally - as already said - cerium oxide is best for that final polish on mineral glass.

    For acrylic, I've recently found this to give a much better finish than Brasso or Chrome polish . . .

    Looks great Ted!

  17. #17
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    614

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    I used dry rag to begin with a dab of shine *those pink stuff that is stronger then Autosol.

    Do a first rub through for a good 5 to ten minutes and then use a soft cloth to finish it off.

    Rinse and repeat till you get desired results.

  18. #18

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by monogroover
    Quote Originally Posted by europa
    As above - Polywatch is the stuff. But anything mildly abrasive will do - Auto Glym paint restorer, toothpaste etc (as well as the suggestion above)

    PS. If it is glass, then nothing will work AFAIK.
    You can definitely get scratches out of glass, even sapphire. Mere Brasso can dramatically diminish the appearance of a scratch on mineral or even sapphire glass.
    Curious - I can see how it might work on mineral but certainly not Sapphire.

    Sapphire is rate 9 on mohs scale whereas the Silica in Brasso rates between 6-7 (like quartz and sand).

    Maybe I'm missing something...

  19. #19
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    614

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    It also depends how badly scratch is the sapphire glass, first you got to ask yourself is worth scratching it out or just get a new sapphire crystal?

    Just my 2 shillings

  20. #20

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by xpatUSA
    Quote Originally Posted by Antony23
    Wow, fantastic!

    Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to respond, I'll check these methods out.

    Cheers

    Tony
    Don't get to thinking it's easy, young man. This Bulova took about an hour or more.



    but it can be worth it . .



    I polish by hand. Deep scratches are removed first with a diamond sharpener, without pressure, until the surface is flat.

    Then, ever-finer grades of wet'n'dry 240 grit down to 2000 grit.

    And finally - as already said - cerium oxide is best for that final polish on mineral glass.

    For acrylic, I've recently found this to give a much better finish than Brasso or Chrome polish . . .

    Thats some seriously good work! :salute: And great tips too.

  21. #21

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Brasso or toothpaste has worked for me in the past

  22. #22
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    N W London - Harrow
    Posts
    711

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Well I used the Brasso on my Oris and it made a real difference after a few minutes. Its still needs some more elbow grease but noiw I know how to do it Ill be on the case again soon. Thanks for the tips. Great job on the Bulova by the way.

    Robin

  23. #23
    Master dougjim8's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Brighton
    Posts
    1,239

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    There is a paste i have heard of but can't remember what it was or how good it is.

    My suggestion and what i do, is i take my glass / watch to my local Gem / Diamond cutter / Polisher, he has a brilliantly large stone polishing wheel, which with the right polishing compound can remover near enough any scratch from any Mineral or standard Glass, sapphire glass is not always so easy, as its so hard and doesn't polish like mineral glass or diamond? don't ask me why.

    So if your based about London then Hatton garden, if your southern maybe Brighton lanes? (my option) or i suppose any jewllery center, birmingham shefield etc.

    Regards

    Doug

  24. #24
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Northern Ireland
    Posts
    414

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    So, is it okay to refine a crystal down with fine grit sandpaper down to 2000 or 3000, and then finish with a polishing paste?

    I was always scared to take paper to a crystal.

  25. #25

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by tomah
    So, is it okay to refine a crystal down with fine grit sandpaper down to 2000 or 3000, and then finish with a polishing paste?

    I was always scared to take paper to a crystal.
    It's very important otherwise althought the crystal may seem smooth under certain lightening conditions you will see slight ridges.

  26. #26
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Wakefield, West Yorkshire
    Posts
    22,496

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by tomah
    So, is it okay to refine a crystal down with fine grit sandpaper down to 2000 or 3000, and then finish with a polishing paste?

    I was always scared to take paper to a crystal.
    I wouldn`t try this on glass or sapphire but it's OK on acrylic. I`d use 400grit wet and dry paper to get the rough stuff out then progress to 1200 grit or 1500 if it's available. T-cut or brasso will restore the finish, but a final treatment with polywatch is my choice.

    Always wet the abrasive paper with water containing a drop of washing up liquid; be careful not to get water in the watch if there's a doubt about its water resistence.

    Paul

  27. #27

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    nice photo, I never had luck with brasco

  28. #28
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Northern Ireland
    Posts
    414

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958
    Quote Originally Posted by tomah
    So, is it okay to refine a crystal down with fine grit sandpaper down to 2000 or 3000, and then finish with a polishing paste?

    I was always scared to take paper to a crystal.
    I wouldn`t try this on glass or sapphire but it's OK on acrylic. I`d use 400grit wet and dry paper to get the rough stuff out then progress to 1200 grit or 1500 if it's available. T-cut or brasso will restore the finish, but a final treatment with polywatch is my choice.

    Always wet the abrasive paper with water containing a drop of washing up liquid; be careful not to get water in the watch if there's a doubt about its water resistence.

    Paul
    Is my Omega Flightmaster acrylic?

  29. #29
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NW Leics
    Posts
    8,145

    Re: Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    Quote Originally Posted by LonginesManiac
    Quote Originally Posted by monogroover
    You can definitely get scratches out of glass, even sapphire. Mere Brasso can dramatically diminish the appearance of a scratch on mineral or even sapphire glass.
    Curious - I can see how it might work on mineral but certainly not Sapphire.

    Sapphire is rate 9 on mohs scale whereas the Silica in Brasso rates between 6-7 (like quartz and sand).

    Maybe I'm missing something...
    Sorry to reply to this post so late, only just seen it.

    Well, my Rolex Date had a small scratch near the edge of the crystal when I bought it (second hand of course) in the mid '90s. I assaulted it with Brasso and made it much less visible. At its next service, Rolex finished the job and it's now nigh-on invisible - you have to hold it to the light and actively look for it to see it, and even then it's exceptionally faint.

    I guess that even though the material in Brasso is less hard than sapphire glass, the abrasive effect must still work both ways.

  30. #30
    Grand Master gray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    New Brighton
    Posts
    11,555

    Any ideas how to get scratches out of watch crystals/glass?

    ... And as with removing deeper scratches on metal, you need a more abrasive, coarser rub down first, before polishing, to level out the trench - otherwise there's a risk of "trenching" when you polish the scratch and the surrounding area without removing it!

    Cheers
    Gray

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information