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Old 18 November 2008, 12:33 PM   #31
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Excellent; a practicing geologist! Then please answer me this with your wisdom: how can glass (5.5 Mohs) scratch sapphire (9 Mohs)? How can we cut (or even scratch) diamonds if two pieces of diamond both have hardness 10 Mohs? The answer is that it is all relative. Mohs scale is relative in that a harder material will experience less wear than a softer one. Remember, there is NO material that is 'scratchproof'.

Also, if you are confident about your knowledge of Mohs scale, let's see a picture of a sapphire crystal being rubbed with garnet paper (pyrope, for e.g., that has a hardness 7.5 Mohs). By your assertion, there should be no scratching whatsoever. However, I bet you will see scratches.

I would also suggest not making allegations that I have bolded in your quote.

SNB
Sorry, but you are asking things that are not related to the task at hand.

Are we talking about diamonds here? No... So you point is moot.

You arguing about sand paper scratching a synthetic Sapphire crystal has no comparison to a nice and extremely soft plastic bristle toothbrush scratching metal which is nonsense.

Plastic CANNOT SCRATCH METAL. Something embedded in it can, but plastic itself scratching metal? Comon now, are you seriously trying to push that opinion across?

I'd hate to see what it would be doing to your teeth. I don't think they make toothbrushes that scour your teeth and remove tooth enamel.
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Old 18 November 2008, 12:37 PM   #32
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I personally am not a fan of toothbrush cleaning.

I prefer a much softer long bristle paintbrush, only a few dollars at any hardware store.

I believe with toothbrushes, depending on how they are used, can put micro scratches on the case.
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Old 18 November 2008, 12:40 PM   #33
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Originally Posted by CanuckRolex View Post
Plastic CANNOT SCRATCH METAL. Something embedded in it can, but plastic itself scratching metal? Comon now, are you seriously trying to push that opinion across?
As a general proposition I don't agree. Take a plastic ruler or object and run it across the brushed finish of your lugs, or case, you can definitely mark it.
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Old 18 November 2008, 12:47 PM   #34
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As a general proposition I don't agree. Take a plastic ruler or object and run it across the brushed finish of your lugs, or case, you can definitely mark it.
that mark is plastic left on the metal, not the plastic scratching the metal.

Plastic cannot scratch metal. It is physically impossible. Now sand or material being caught into the toothbrush will do it, but not the bristles themselves. This is like saying a car wash mitt is scratching your paint when it is actually the material caught in it causing the swirl marks.

I just did what you said and there was a mark, but under the microscope it is the ruler leaving plastic on top of the metal, not scratching into the metal. The plastic them wiped off with no mark after a small rag with some alcohol on it.

this is because the metal is harder that the plastic. You would see the same mark on a ceramic plate if you rubbed a piece of metal on it. Until a hand lnse the mark is metal leaving a deposit on the ceramic plate, not scratching into it.

Its kind of like the use of a pencil.
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Old 18 November 2008, 01:04 PM   #35
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Originally Posted by CanuckRolex View Post
that mark is plastic left on the metal, not the plastic scratching the metal.

Plastic cannot scratch metal. It is physically impossible. Now sand or material being caught into the toothbrush will do it, but not the bristles themselves. This is like saying a car wash mitt is scratching your paint when it is actually the material caught in it causing the swirl marks.

I just did what you said and there was a mark, but under the microscope it is the ruler leaving plastic on top of the metal, not scratching into the metal. The plastic them wiped off with no mark after a small rag with some alcohol on it.

this is because the metal is harder that the plastic. You would see the same mark on a ceramic plate if you rubbed a piece of metal on it. Until a hand lnse the mark is metal leaving a deposit on the ceramic plate, not scratching into it.

Its kind of like the use of a pencil.

Very well said!!!
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Old 18 November 2008, 02:32 PM   #36
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Originally Posted by CanuckRolex View Post
Sorry, but you are asking things that are not related to the task at hand.

Are we talking about diamonds here? No... So you point is moot.

You arguing about sand paper scratching a synthetic Sapphire crystal has no comparison to a nice and extremely soft plastic bristle toothbrush scratching metal which is nonsense.

Plastic CANNOT SCRATCH METAL. Something embedded in it can, but plastic itself scratching metal? Comon now, are you seriously trying to push that opinion across?

I'd hate to see what it would be doing to your teeth. I don't think they make toothbrushes that scour your teeth and remove tooth enamel.
My situation is entirely analogous: I am describing how a softer material can still cause scratches in a harder material. I am not sure why you keep trying to dismiss my thought experiment.

In fact, it is your situation that is not relevant: tooth enamel has a highly irregular surface that unevenly reflects light. On such a microscopically coarse surface, a few additional scratches will neither harm functionality nor appearance. This is totally different from a highly polished gold surface that will show very fine scratches quite readily. Again, we are talking about scratches that may be as little as microns deep. At best, teeth have mineralization ridges in the order of tens, if not even up to 100 microns or more.

By your logic, why not use copper wire (3 Mohs) to brush your teeth (4-5 Mohs)? Copper wire is softer, so it should not scratch your teeth, right?

My initial point was that nothing is scratchproof and that we have to consider factors (such as point stresses) OTHER THAN hardness in assessing whether scratches will form.

Regardless...your watch is your's, and my watch is mine. We can each do what we feel like as long as it doesn't harm anyone else.

SNB
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Old 18 November 2008, 02:57 PM   #37
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My situation is entirely analogous: I am describing how a softer material can still cause scratches in a harder material. I am not sure why you keep trying to dismiss my thought experiment.

In fact, it is your situation that is not relevant: tooth enamel has a highly irregular surface that unevenly reflects light. On such a microscopically coarse surface, a few additional scratches will neither harm functionality nor appearance. This is totally different from a highly polished gold surface that will show very fine scratches quite readily. Again, we are talking about scratches that may be as little as microns deep. At best, teeth have mineralization ridges in the order of tens, if not even up to 100 microns or more.

By your logic, why not use copper wire (3 Mohs) to brush your teeth (4-5 Mohs)? Copper wire is softer, so it should not scratch your teeth, right?

My initial point was that nothing is scratchproof and that we have to consider factors (such as point stresses) OTHER THAN hardness in assessing whether scratches will form.

Regardless...your watch is your's, and my watch is mine. We can each do what we feel like as long as it doesn't harm anyone else.

SNB
I am not going to argue the moh's scale with you seeing what you are bringing up are outside conjecture based on some selected examples you bring to the table to defer the topic at hand.

the topic at hand is, "You cannot scratch you watch with a soft plastic toothbrush." PERIOD

Plastic is softer than metal, PERIOD

Therefore it cannot directly scratch any metal. If that was the case, we could use a sharp ruler to cut a block of steel or gold which is just nonsense.
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Old 18 November 2008, 03:19 PM   #38
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This is the recommended method:



Yes, Felly, I read that somewhere. Popular Mechanics, I think.


Of course, you are using the home version. The professional model is much bigger.














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Old 18 November 2008, 03:20 PM   #39
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I am not going to argue the moh's scale with you seeing what you are bringing up are outside conjecture based on some selected examples you bring to the table to defer the topic at hand.

the topic at hand is, "You cannot scratch you watch with a soft plastic toothbrush." PERIOD

Plastic is softer than metal, PERIOD

Therefore it cannot directly scratch any metal. If that was the case, we could use a sharp ruler to cut a block of steel or gold which is just nonsense.
It appears that you are avoiding discussing the Mohs scale for whatever reason...I reread your posts to see who first brought up outside examples of biological materials such as teeth!

You seriously need to lay off the coffee and take a chill pill!

SNB
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Old 18 November 2008, 03:23 PM   #40
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Yes, Felly, I read that somewhere. Popular Mechanics, I think.


Of course, you are using the home version. The professional model is much bigger.














I'm assuming this is all just a joke, but Felly, how did you make sure the watch wouln't jump around on the beater?

SNB
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Old 18 November 2008, 03:23 PM   #41
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Yes, Felly, I read that somewhere. Popular Mechanics, I think.


Of course, you are using the home version. The professional model is much bigger.














I actually stole the pic from Larry (Tools)

But, if I were to use this type I would definitely get the commercial/industrial version with the much more powerful "Binford" high out put motor!
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Old 18 November 2008, 04:46 PM   #42
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After reading this thread, I think I'm going use a sponge to gently clean my teeth, will start having all my meals through a straw, and will now use a freshly pulled eyelash to clean the tough-to-remove dirt off my DJ... I like to live dangerously, but not THAT dangerously!
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Old 18 November 2008, 04:56 PM   #43
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After reading this thread, I think I'm going use a sponge to gently clean my teeth, will start having all my meals through a straw, and will now use a freshly pulled eyelash to clean the tough-to-remove dirt off my DJ... I like to live dangerously, but not THAT dangerously!
Careful with that eyelash now, it might scratch your DJ!
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Old 18 November 2008, 05:23 PM   #44
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Originally Posted by CanuckRolex View Post
Guys, stop with the toothbrush scratching gold or any metal nonsense.

The plastic fibers in the toothbrush are softer on the moh's scale of hardness than any metal and you cannot scratch something with an item that is softer than the metal being rubbed.

Saying it scratches even when you are using it while it is wet with a mild detergent which will act as an additional lubricant is BS.

Sorry, but I had to call you out on this one, its nonsense.
Absolutely! Let's not be that precious about our tool watches! The only way your toothbrushes can scratch your watch is if you have been using it to clean something gritty - personally, I use a toothbrush solely dedicated for my watch.
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Old 18 November 2008, 05:30 PM   #45
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It appears that you are avoiding discussing the Mohs scale for whatever reason...I reread your posts to see who first brought up outside examples of biological materials such as teeth!

You seriously need to lay off the coffee and take a chill pill!

SNB
Yeah, but Canuck is 100% right. And diamond can cut diamond for 2 reasons - firstly, the Mohs number varies according to the crystal plane - it is slighyly softer with the grain than across it, also, they are of equal hardness hence they can cut each other.
Let's get real here - we don't use copper wire to clean our teeth because it is unpleasant to do!, plus the springiness in the material will flick off pieces of enamel!

Of course you can use nylon toothbrushes to clean your bloody watch!
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Old 18 November 2008, 05:51 PM   #46
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Those bubbles would look great with your rubber ducky in the bath-tub, Scott!!

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Old 19 November 2008, 04:48 AM   #47
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Icon7 cleaning your rolex

I always say, dunk once flush twice (but don't use the blue stuff).
Then take toilet brush, (after teeth brushing) and bang it around the watch.
Now, teeth will be clean and watch will smell good.
Scratches ! We don't need no (blanking) scratches.

It really is just a watch, a nice one but still, men who wear a watch don't care about toothbrushes.

And by the way I really own a Daytona, Gold DD, SS GMT II, and something else that I can't remember,
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Old 19 November 2008, 07:01 AM   #48
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Shower and a dict' wae the ole T Shirt.
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Old 2 July 2009, 05:00 AM   #49
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you can use a Toothbrush with toothpaste, this will clean it and give a shine.. try it you will see...
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Old 2 July 2009, 05:08 AM   #50
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Step 1: Check the crown stem and crown. Screw them tight, if necessary. The gaskets that seal these movable external parts keep moisture out of the delicate works inside the watch case. Do not over-tighten the screws and crown, but make sure they form their seal.


Step 2: Prepare a warm soapy water solution. Avoid harsh chemicals when you clean a Rolex. A bit of jewelry cleaner in the soap solution can help dislodge serious grime.

Step 3: Dip a soft brush, such as a child's toothbrush, into the solution and begin brushing the face and the bezel of the Rolex. If your watch has diamond accents, the jewelry cleaner in the mix helps make the stones sparkle. Use a gentle touch, paying attention to the backside of the watch that lies against your wrist. Brush away perspiration and grime trapped on the grooves of this surface. Rinse your brush frequently under clean running water.

Step 4: Brush the bracelet of the watch with the soapy solution. The movable links of the bracelet are the major areas that trap dirt and body grime. Rotate each link as far as it will go both ways while brushing to expose hidden dirt when the bracelet links are at rest. Gently tap the bracelet against a clean dry cloth to remove the dirty solution and excess water. Continue brushing and moving the bracelet links until the solution dabbed from the Rolex is clean.

Step 5: Lift the clasp. Dirt and lint love to hide behind the double-hinged clasp on the bracelet. Move the hinged portion both ways as you brush with the soapy solution to uncover all areas under the clasp. Dab and tap the watch gently against the clean cloth to remove the cleaning solution. Continue brushing until the solution removed is clear.

Step 6: Dry the Rolex with a lint-free, soft cloth.
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Old 2 July 2009, 05:08 AM   #51
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I use a ultrasonic cleaner with plain water and a special rack for watches and just watch the dirt swim out, if any.
Me too except with jewelry cleaner and I hold the case above the liquid. I have found I don't get much dirt out if I do it much more than once every couple of months. In the interim and about once per week I use hand soap and my hands. Finish with a thorough rinse and dry with a soft cotton or mircofiber towel.

It's far from "rocket science" and the ultrasonic cleaner is nice not required. As least this thread added something new to this well-worn topic -- the Mohs scale.
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Old 2 July 2009, 06:15 AM   #52
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I have two types of cleaning I do, daily and weekly.

Daily I will check it for obvious grime. If I see some, I spit on it and rub it with my sleeve. The crystal gets dusty and get fingerprints on it, so it usually gets a special spit and/or sleeve cleaning a couple of times a day.

Once a week I toss it in the washer with a load of clothes -- preferably on warm, but I'll use a cold setting if I'm doing colors. I used to just toss it in last, but it got terribly noisy, especially during the spin cycle, so now I'll usually tuck it into a pants pocket in the load.
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Old 2 July 2009, 07:55 AM   #53
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I like to "Bulk-Clean" my watches..........

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Old 2 July 2009, 10:19 AM   #54
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I bring my watch to my AD. Most AD's will clean your bracelet for free.
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Old 2 July 2009, 11:57 AM   #55
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I simply wear it in the shower once in a while.
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Old 2 July 2009, 01:59 PM   #56
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Thanks!

Quote:
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This is the recommended method:

For the best laugh I've had all day! If you have no joy, you don't have anything the world needs!


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Old 2 July 2009, 03:03 PM   #57
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Interesting ideas and thoughts here.
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Old 2 July 2009, 03:18 PM   #58
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I soaked my watch for 24 hours in a solution consisting of paint thinner, hrdochloric acid and liquid drano... It dissapeared
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Old 2 July 2009, 10:26 PM   #59
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soft brush (dedicated to only cleaning watches), mild soap and water.. then air dry. no problems so far. i do mine about once a month as i rotate through watches.
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Old 2 July 2009, 10:43 PM   #60
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Awe you guys are killing me especially the kitchen aid blender hehe . As a watchmaker when I clean cases and bands to get rouge and dirt out from between the links I use an ultrasonic cleaner with lemon ammonium, joy dishwashing liquid AND A TOOTHBRUSH. The only way a tooth brush could scratch any metal is if it had chunks of dirt in it to begin with other than that I have been using this method for over 30 years and my customers watches look like they came out of the box the day they bought them. If you go to Sam's club you can buy 25 ultra fiber wash clothes for 10 bucks and that's what I use to dry them. they shine like Miras now go get your shine box Tommy thanx Rik
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