Watch Cleaning - Brush hairline scratches?

[aalyu]

How do you clean your Rolex? I'm worried that if I use a brush to clean my piece some hairline scratches especially on the polished part will show.

Any experiences of this happening? I use an old toothbrush btw

[S-F]

I use a toothbrush and have had no issues. I usually pat the watch dry with a soft towel after I wash it and haven't noticed any marks or changes in the watch.

[Chadridv]

yeah, before the "who care's about scratches" mob comes at you, I'll let you know what i do.

First off, yes, they are inevitable and I don't blame any who say to embrace them. After all, you gotta enjoy the watch. Worrying about scratches definitely takes the fun out of it.

That said, why not do you best to avoid them. I don't use any "old toothbrush" i have laying around. Along with veraet watch spray and some dish soap, I use an ultra soft infant tooth brush on brushed surfaces, and I use a silicone infant tooth brush on the polished parts. It works great, and i find the silicone toothbrush to be the best way to deep clean without getting any swirlies.

These would do the trick.
https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Finger-T...TDW6A7WV5G5VQZ

[jstan9]

Originally Posted by aalyu

How do you clean your Rolex? I'm worried that if I use a brush to clean my piece some hairline scratches especially on the polished part will show.

Any experiences of this happening? I use an old toothbrush btw

I get over that by banging into people on bart (our subway / commuter railway) every day!

Enjoy your watch. And if you’re worried about that, wash it it soap and water and your hands. Your watch will look great!

: )

[run23]

I use a toothbrush. But I'm firmly in the "I don't care about scratches camp" so take this with a grain of salt. That being said I don't think the toothbrush has contributed to any scratching.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by jstan9

I get over that by banging into people on bart (our subway / commuter railway) every day!

I love that you have to explain that

CAL, class 0f '95

[RolexNorth]

Originally Posted by aalyu

How do you clean your Rolex? I'm worried that if I use a brush to clean my piece some hairline scratches especially on the polished part will show.

Any experiences of this happening? I use an old toothbrush btw

Using any toothbrush, including a soft bristled one will definitely put swirls on the polished parts of the watch.

You may not see the swirls in the sunlight, but you will under certain lighting conditions.

Your watch surface should never get so dirty that you'd need a brush to clean it.

[Cato]

I just use a strong hand soap like Ivory - one with no lotions. I don’t use a brush, just my hands. I do that like every couple weeks.

[tyler1980]

rinse it first and then i use wrist clean and let it sit for a minute and rinse that too. Only then do i use a brush. Get as much of the dirt off as possible before you scrub it as any dirt on the watch is going to get gound in no matter what brush you use... same goes if you use your fingers.

[MesaSean]

I love this guys video on how he cleans his sub

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3ic1or1AHI

End results look really good.

[T4ME]

Originally Posted by MesaSean

I love this guys video on how he cleans his sub

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3ic1or1AHI

End results look really good.

It did look good but I could not do the pad

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by aalyu

I'm worried that if I use a brush to clean my piece some hairline scratches especially on the polished part will show.

Any experiences of this happening? I use an old toothbrush

There's your problem. Buy the watch its own NEW toothbrush, and clean it each time BEFORE using it on the watch. Watch also needs to be rinsed BEFORE using the toothbrush on it, to blast away any abrasive grit.
I use an old toothbrush for my cheap watches!

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by RolexNorth

Using any toothbrush, including a soft bristled one will definitely put swirls on the polished parts of the watch.

You may not see the swirls in the sunlight, but you will under certain lighting conditions.

Your watch surface should never get so dirty that you'd need a brush to clean it.

Not true. To all three of these statements. It is physically impossible for nylon bristles to scratch stainless steel or even 18k gold as both are significantly harder materials than nylon. It isn't so much needing a brush but they do a damn good job in a matter of seconds in the shower so I'd highly recommend it.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Not true. To all three of these statements. It is physically impossible for nylon bristles to scratch stainless steel or even 18k gold as both are significantly harder materials than nylon. It isn't so much needing a brush but they do a damn good job in a matter of seconds in the shower so I'd highly recommend it.

And yet a soft cotton shirt cuff will put hairlines on gold PCLs

[Rolex fan 61]

Soap and warm water only, about once a week.

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Devildog

And yet a soft cotton shirt cuff will put hairlines on gold PCLs

I would argue that it is other stuff latent on the cuff causing the marks.