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Old 3 December 2009, 04:12 PM   #1
lavaman
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Gentle way to buff scratches out?

Aloha!

Any suggestions for buffing out (if possible) scratches on the bracelet of my Connie? I am hesitant to take anything more than soap/water to it, and wondering if anyone has any experience or knows of a method a reputable jeweler might use to lift or disguise fine scratches?

i once had a watch guy "steam clean" my TAG in front of me and the results were impressive, just a little bath in.... i have no idea. didn't charge me, and I was happy.

oh, it's s/steel.
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Old 4 December 2009, 01:21 AM   #2
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You could try very gently rubbing it with a Cape Cod polishing cloth
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Old 4 December 2009, 03:32 AM   #3
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Toothpaste can remove light scratches.
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Old 4 December 2009, 04:02 AM   #4
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Toothpaste can remove light scratches.
And help prevent cavities!
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Old 4 December 2009, 04:05 AM   #5
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haha!
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Old 4 December 2009, 05:27 AM   #6
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Great suggestion on the toothpaste, but, um which one? Tartar control? Extra whitening? Baking soda? Have you tried to buy toothpaste lately...yikes!
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Old 4 December 2009, 09:45 AM   #7
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Toothpaste will do what it does to your teeth...polish it, as most have abrasives in them. If you have a brushed finish, you may not want to do this...

If it is brushed, then the "fix" is to not remove any more metal than necessary, but to realign the grain of the metal to disguise those scratches.

Depends on the bracelet...some have the two lines of polished mini-links running the length..

I have a refinishing how-to for a Rolex bracelet using the 3m Scotch Brite pad over in our Reference Library under The Amateur Watchmakers Corner..

To do the same on the Omega, use electrical tape and tape along the inside length of the polished links on both sides, then brush the center. Retape all the way across one side and the center to the other side of the far polished link and do that outside edge.. then retape over to the last remaing edge...

It's best to do this with the bracelet off the watch and laying flat..
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Old 4 December 2009, 11:11 AM   #8
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thanks!

mine is nothing fancy, just the quartz Connie (wasnt going to wear it much, didnt want to and couldnt afford fuss of an automatic). Love it anyways :-)
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Old 7 December 2009, 11:22 AM   #9
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I use 2000 grit sandpaper from auto body shop and it works wonders,,,it is very fine and remove any scratch you may have with real light buffing
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Old 7 December 2009, 12:34 PM   #10
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seriously? the idea of taking sandpaper to anything other than the dresser my watches sit in makes me freak...

dry? wet?
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Old 8 December 2009, 01:06 AM   #11
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I use a dab of car wax on the paper.....works for me.....try a small area...you might be suprised.....you can buy the very fine paper in a auto body supply shop. It's very very fine. My clasps on Omega and Rolex never have a scratch from desk diving
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Old 8 December 2009, 01:40 AM   #12
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You could try very gently rubbing it with a Cape Cod polishing cloth
Cape Cod clothes are just brilliant. I went to the hardware store and picked up acouple to try it out on my DSSD, it got dirt off that can't be seen. Cape Cod for the win!
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Old 9 December 2009, 07:08 AM   #13
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ok so i need to make a hme depot run for the cape cod cloth (is this easy to find, nationally) and perhaps a run to see Manny Moe and Jack about the super fine sandpaper (scary!). Now, do I use wax (have lots) or do i use something else, e.g. paint polish or scratch remover (i use exclusively Meguiars and love it).

thanks for all the great suggestions. looks like my Tag and my Omega will get some TLC...
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Old 11 December 2009, 11:12 AM   #14
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OK...just had some scratches on my Sub clasp today..no big deal...took some 2000 grit paper and a little Brasso...rubbed her down real soft with the grain...dont go swirling it around..go with the grain like wood...bingo...done....brand new....Works for me. my sub is 2 years old and wears everyday....and i'm picky...looks great...try the Meguiars you have...any kind of polish....you will like it...Some one told me the same thing and I thought they were nuts too...get enough scratches and you will try it. cant hurt anything...Is it a polished area or brushed area with the scratches???
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Old 11 December 2009, 11:14 AM   #15
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No problem with Capecod. Good for SS and JJ's Dome.
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Old 11 December 2009, 11:36 PM   #16
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My Jeweler recommended Happich Simichrome Polish PolishingPaste. He uses it when anyone brings in their watch for a clean up, including Rolex, etc. I use it at home now and it does a good job in cleaning the metal and taking out minor scratches. Although I clean my watches by hand I think my jeweler used a buffing wheel.
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Old 12 December 2009, 08:35 AM   #17
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Wow, u guys rock! *

*(though I must take exception to your remark about foreign cars in another thread, bradq :-)

Where to buy?
Are these products (SimiChrome and Cape Cod) Home Depot type stuff, or do I need to reptile up and pay the p/p for them to send it to me?

Brad: Yes, its a standard Connie, so I there isnt really a finish on the bracelet or the bezel, though it does have a luster to it. Let's call it polished then, since it doesnt have a texture to the finish like a brushed finish would (no "grain" to the touch).

Looking at it now, it has the usual fine scrathes on it, and one hidious one on the 3'o'clock posit on the bezel.

Gonna try all these tips, and will let you know how they work out.

Thanks again

Lavaman
*loyal follower of BMW and Acura for many years without a hitch :-)
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Old 12 December 2009, 09:37 AM   #18
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Ok home depot trip was useless
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Old 13 December 2009, 09:13 AM   #19
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Ok home depot trip was useless
Put a pretty good scuff in my new GMT Master IIC clasp the other day which I realize was inevitable but after some quick research I found this thread about Cape Cod cloth. I did a quick google search and found ACE Hardware or True Value in some markets stock the product. Went to ACE today and picked up the tin which includes enough cloth for a life time a polishing rag and some rubber gloves. Needless to say it works wonders, I cut out a small square and used a tooth pick to target the polished area on my clasp and the scuff is 99% gone. If you didn't know it was scuffed you would not know.
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Old 13 December 2009, 04:33 PM   #20
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ok thanks!! Now try finding an ACE anywhere...

Page 2.
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Old 14 December 2009, 03:52 AM   #21
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ok thanks!! Now try finding an ACE anywhere...

Page 2.
http://www.acehardware.com/mystore/storeLocator.jsp
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Old 14 December 2009, 04:27 AM   #22
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spooky, i was just about to run a search and i thought "let me check forum first and see if anyone else has a place to find the stuff"

too funny
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Old 14 December 2009, 04:37 AM   #23
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spooky, i was just about to run a search and i thought "let me check forum first and see if anyone else has a place to find the stuff"

too funny
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Old 18 December 2009, 02:19 AM   #24
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polished parts - cape cod

brushed parts - green Scotch-Brite pad followed by a light swipe with a cape cod. the cape cod cloth kind of "cleans" the fresh scratches and give a slightly more finished look and feel.

Also, I don't reuse the cape cod cloth and I also rotate to a fresh spot on the cloth frequently - seems to cut down on the ultra fine scratch marks...

just my opinion, I could be wrong...

BTW, I get the cape cod at ACE Hardware.
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Old 19 December 2009, 05:50 AM   #25
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Lavaman,
I would search for bergeon 2834c on TRF. It is a tool designed specifically for what you are looking for. There is a step by step how to by using this tool with pictures. I have purchased one but not yet tried. If you need help finding the thread PM me and I can help find it.
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Old 19 December 2009, 07:07 AM   #26
lavaman
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Thanks for all the suggestions:

Finally found the ACE harware, and as promised, they stocked Cape Cod.

Sorry, no pics


(1) On my Tag, which I have had since new, it did an amazing job. The bracelet now looks like it is chrome! Very nicely done

(2) On my Omega, which I bought CPO:

Well, the bracelet looks better, and DEFINITELY the scratches, esp the bad one on the 3'0'clock posit on the bezel are alot less noticible.

But they are still there.

Next step? The polish someone recommended earlier.

So, my eval: Cape Cod is GREAT if you dont have much to correct. It does an amazing job in a fwe mins brining incredible luster out. BUT, if you have actual scratches, I would say that the Cape Cod (on s/s) will make them less noticible by removing the dirt in them and restoring the surrounding metal.

But, need something else to see if we cant go one better.
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Old 22 December 2009, 07:54 AM   #27
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on2nd thought (and application), my Connie now looks like it was chromed. looks very nice.

Thanks for all the GREAT advice!
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Old 22 December 2009, 08:48 AM   #28
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The connie is a difficult one as it not a standard brush finish, I don't quite know how do describe it, it is very delicate, almost like a japanese rice paper finish.
I have cape cod but think that would be far to strong for this finish.
Personally I have found sunshine polishing cloths to be the most gentle and yet at the same time able to take out minor scratches without ruining the finish.
http://www.sunshinepolishingcloth.com/

When you say quartz do you have the normal 15 second a month one or the double eagle perpetual which I have. Comparing the two is the equivelent to comparing an ETA movement with a Patek movement IMHO!

I am so happy with mine, it is performing much better than quoted specs, looks like I am on for +3.5 seconds a year accuracy
Here are a couple of pictures of mine, we don't have enough Connie pictures!


And an idea of the brushed finish on this watch
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Old 22 December 2009, 08:49 AM   #29
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Quote:
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The connie is a difficult one as it not a standard brush finish, I don't quite know how do describe it, it is very delicate, almost like a japanese rice paper finish.
I have cape cod but think that would be far to strong for this finish.
Personally I have found sunshine polishing cloths to be the most gentle and yet at the same time able to take out minor scratches without ruining the finish.
http://www.sunshinepolishingcloth.com/

When you say quartz do you have the normal 15 second a month one of the double eagle perpetual which I have. Comparing the two is the equivelent to comparing an ETA movement with a Patek movement IMHO!

I am so happy with mine, it is performing much better than quoted specs, looks like I am on for +3.5 seconds a year accuracy
Here are a couple of pictures of mine, we don't have enough Connie pictures!


And an idea of the brushed finish on this watch
WOW!! The dial and finish on that beauty is incredible!!
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Old 22 December 2009, 08:59 AM   #30
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WOW!! The dial and finish on that beauty is incredible!!
Thanks JJ, this Omega always brings a smile to my face and respect to Omega, There is not one flaw with this dial and bracelet, it is immaculate in finish and add the outstanding accuracy and I am one happy bunny!Oh yes, the minute hand hit's the indicies spot on as well

Thank you as well for telling me about the little gold ingot on the bracelet, it really made my day when you told me it was solid.
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