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Thread: Nato hardware refinish

  1. #1
    Grand Master magirus's Avatar
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    Nato hardware refinish

    I have a Nato en-route from the USA for use on my Voyager. The rings are polished and if it bugs me that they don't match the case finish I'll probably have a crack at refinishing the rings/buckle. I don't expect a close match, getting rid of the shine should be enough. Can anyone recommend what I should use to do this? I've plenty of old Natos that I use for lashing tripods to camera bags to practice on.
    F.T.F.A.

  2. #2
    Master seffrican's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by magirus View Post
    I have a Nato en-route from the USA for use on my Voyager. The rings are polished and if it bugs me that they don't match the case finish I'll probably have a crack at refinishing the rings/buckle. I don't expect a close match, getting rid of the shine should be enough. Can anyone recommend what I should use to do this? I've plenty of old Natos that I use for lashing tripods to camera bags to practice on.
    Dremel plus fibre brushing wheel at about 2000-300 rpm produces a nice dull brushed finish on most NATO rings/loops/buckles.

  3. #3
    Quick swipe with a green washing up "scratchy"- you know, the scotchbrite stuff.
    Hooves

  4. #4
    Grand Master magirus's Avatar
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    I'll give those methods a try. I'm not sure which Dremel does 2000rpm, my digitally controlled JCB does 5000 - 30,000 which is the range of Dremels, and I've used it to take the external AR off a Sinn 656 at 5000 with no problem. I can pick up suitable Dremel tools for @ £1.50 each so I'll give that a go if need be.
    F.T.F.A.

  5. #5
    Master seffrican's Avatar
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    I'm too lazy to go the basement to check which model it is, but my cordless Dremel has fully variable speeds from 0 to about 5000.

    You can run higher RPM, but you have to be more careful about heat buildup that will change the colour of the metal. Take it slow, do a few seconds at a time, and you'll be fine.

  6. #6
    Craftsman
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    Brushed finish?
    Grey or Maroon followed by Grey scotch brite pad.
    Maroon is quite course, but will cut through a plated shine faster

    I cut the pads up with an old pair of scissors into about 1" squares for watch related stuff ( I use them for other workshop stuff as well)

    Dave

  7. #7
    Grand Master magirus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave S View Post
    Brushed finish?
    Grey or Maroon followed by Grey scotch brite pad.
    Maroon is quite course, but will cut through a plated shine faster

    I cut the pads up with an old pair of scissors into about 1" squares for watch related stuff ( I use them for other workshop stuff as well)

    Dave

    Thanks for that Dave, however with the strap on the watch I really don't notice the difference in finishes so I'm leaving as is.
    F.T.F.A.

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