Self Polish

[aw9nineteen]

Has anyone polished their own bracelet? I am trying to see if it is worth a try to do on my own, because it definitely isn’t remotely close enough to take to have it done. If it weren’t a couple of links below the bezel it would be negligible. But my OCD is kicking in, and also why I need another with a rubber strap.


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[AshAP]

Do you have a photo of what you want to polish?


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[aw9nineteen]

Originally Posted by AshAP

Do you have a photo of what you want to polish?


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I thought of leading with that, but was embarrassed. You’re going to think I am a lunatic. Well, you asked... There is maybe one more, but not in the photo.




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[eskiserkan]

Dont try it at home, its not a Rolex with 904 steel.

[aw9nineteen]

Originally Posted by eskiserkan

Dont try it at home, its not a Rolex with 904 steel.

Dang. If it were only 3-4 links down.


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[AshAP]

I scratched my platinum Offshore when it was still quite new and like you my ocd kicked in. These days I’m not bothered about the scratches as much but I can see that the scratch in your photo would bother me too.

If you’re good at this sort of thing you should be able to remove that scratch by very carefully masking off the case and the other links. I would only have 1 link being worked on each time and have everything else masked off. With Offshores I I’m pretty sure 800 grit wet & dry gives the correct level of brushing and you need to practise dragging the sandpaper in a very straight line beforehand as the brushed finish will look obvious if it isn’t straight.


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[Potawatomi]

Was that from a door jamb? Sorry your beautiful watch has a scratch. My 15400 has a scratched bezel from a night of too much alcohol and I hated it at first but now it's my reminder that i cant drink whiskey all night long like i used to when i was young.

[aw9nineteen]

Originally Posted by Potawatomi

Was that from a door jamb? Sorry your beautiful watch has a scratch. My 15400 has a scratched bezel from a night of too much alcohol and I hated it at first but now it's my reminder that i cant drink whiskey all night long like i used to when i was young.

No clue, woke up and noticed it. There may have been a drink or 10 the night before. I usually have solid awareness but I cant understand how I would have dinged that spot. I need a rubber strap diver.


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[TooWoundUp]

Originally Posted by aw9nineteen

No clue, woke up and noticed it. There may have been a drink or 10 the night before. I usually have solid awareness but I cant understand how I would have dinged that spot. I need a rubber strap diver.


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yes the perfect excuse to get yourself a rubber strap AP!

[eskiserkan]

No need to worry about too much. You should get used to this with AP. Wear in good health and send it to the service after some years of use.

[YoungMoneyAssassin]

Personally, I’d recommend resisting the urge to do anything. Just leave it and enjoy the beautiful piece. Scratches are inevitable on the RO and you’ll get it professionally polished when servicing.


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[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by YoungMoneyAssassin

Personally, I’d recommend resisting the urge to do anything. Just leave it and enjoy the beautiful piece. Scratches are inevitable on the RO and you’ll get it professionally polished when servicing.


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+1
it’s really not that noticeable.

That said, if you do go ahead then post pics of the result and tell us what you did.

[supernova]

Please do not touch an AP with a polishing cloth yourself. I wouldn’t even let another professional touch mine other than AP.

And on the other hand, AP don’t have a long polishing life, max about 3 times in their life time according to AP.

Live with the scratches and wear in good health!


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[singe89]

Normally I would say no and let APSC do it but for scratches like that I use this pen.

https://www.amazon.com/Bergeon-Brush...9353282&sr=8-4

[aw9nineteen]

Originally Posted by singe89

Normally I would say no and let APSC do it but for scratches like that I use this pen.

https://www.amazon.com/Bergeon-Brush...9353282&sr=8-4

Thank you, I may look into it or just ignore the scratches. I don’t want to mess it up.


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[V25V]

Leave it alone and have it dealt with when it's in for service. Polishing it yourself will not end well.


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[Andad]

Originally Posted by aw9nineteen

Thank you, I may look into it or just ignore the scratches. I don’t want to mess it up.


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Good call.

Do not use the Bregeon brush.

You have zero chance of coming even close to marching to original.

[S2000_driver]

Any watch that is not ceramic will eventually get scratched, no matter how careful you are. I would never try any DIY with a Royal Oak. If you look closely, the brushing is very different compared to say, a Submariner. I think they use a specific type/grit of abrasive material for brushing. And, there's probably some kind of a proprietary technique. There has to be a reason why even the brushed parts shine so much. It won't bother you as much once you put a couple more scratches on it. You can always have it polished by APSC when you service the watch.

[Stevie_Goodlife]

Resist the urge and enjoy the watch! It’s not worth it the effort (or the risk).

[SMD]

Originally Posted by eskiserkan

Dont try it at home, its not a Rolex with 904 steel.

How would the answer be different if the steel were 904L?? Would that make it easier to replicate APs finishing at home?

[eskiserkan]

Possibly not :)

[Texas4ever]

For the love of everything holy...do not polish yourself...




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[Locust]

I tried to polish an AP myself. Did not end well and watch ended up in Clearwater for service.

[Fishrus]

I polished the mirror finish lightly on my watch to remove a tiny hairline on the bezel once upon a time and it was nerve wrecking to say the least.

Would not recommend you to polish it yourself, especially on the brushed portion. APs brushed finishing is on another level and its highly unlikely you will be able to match it.

[aw9nineteen]

Originally Posted by Texas4ever

For the love of everything holy...do not polish yourself...




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Lol ok ok


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[Burlington]

Technically it’s possible.

The brushed finish is achieved with fine sandpaper. It’s all done by hand at APSC with fairly simple tools.

They also make their own scratch sticks for touch ups like that with small bits of angled wood that have the right sandpaper glued to the tip.

However, unless you really know what you’re doing and have the exact matching abrasive paper, give it a hard pass and leave it to the professionals.

[P2725TMB]

This isn't polishing, its brushing using an abrasive pad or paper. I really wouldn't touch it, particularly where it is positioned - if it were on individual links it would be easier. And how much brushing depends upon scratch depth, as to remove them you'll need to remove surface metal overall to that depth. I've masked off and removed light scratches from the polished centre links of a Rolex, but I would not attempt that.

[Vicc]

Originally Posted by aw9nineteen

I thought of leading with that, but was embarrassed. You’re going to think I am a lunatic. Well, you asked... There is maybe one more, but not in the photo.




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I don't see scratches on the bracelet, only on the case.