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Racer X · 3 October 2010, 08:51 AM

Hi all,

Been looking at various vintage subs and many have discolored hour markers. I'm talking about the dark stains that look like mold or mildew. Sometimes they are a black color; other times they are brownish orange color. I'm wondering, is there any way to clean the hour markers to remove or lighten those stains? I was thinking maybe a q-tip soaked with a very mild bleach/water solution might clear them up. I, of course, would like to hear from the experts before trying something like this on a vintage timepiece.

Thanks.

DadsWatch72 · 3 October 2010, 09:14 AM

That is most likely the Tritium starting to decay or "Patina". I would do nothing to that dial.

onkyo · 3 October 2010, 09:23 AM

Hi RacerX and welcome to the forum. There would be a significant risk of damaging your dial by doing that or ending up with a result worse than you have now. I would proceed with extreme caution.

sleddog · 3 October 2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onkyo

Hi RacerX and welcome to the forum. There would be a significant risk of damaging your dial by doing that or ending up with a result worse than you have now. I would proceed with extreme caution.

I agree with Pav here....
The chances of ruining your dial is extreme!

Racer X · 3 October 2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadsWatch72

That is most likely the Tritium starting to decay or "Patina". I would do nothing to that dial.

Yeah, not talking about patina, which I consider desirable. I'm referring to the uneven blotching/staining that you see on older watches.

Racer X · 3 October 2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onkyo

Hi RacerX and welcome to the forum. There would be a significant risk of damaging your dial by doing that or ending up with a result worse than you have now. I would proceed with extreme caution.

Understood. Still I'd love to hear from anyone who has tried this or another method. And I don't have a watch with such staining now. Being able to clean up such staining would open up my options though on future purchases. So often a watch up for sale would be perfect if it weren't for these stains.

rockyn · 3 October 2010, 10:09 AM

I don't think there is any way to clean up a dial without refinishing.

jedly1 · 3 October 2010, 10:10 AM

tried it on some damaged dial ...its a real gamble... some tritium based compound is super strong indestructible and you could probably stick it under tap......................... some deteriorate the second anything moist (including a Qtip with a bit of spit) touches it .... the black spots you are talking about tend to be 'in' the compound and even on the tuff ones don't wipe off...... even though its really tempting and looks like they should grrrrr.... put the qtip down and step away from the dial :)

ps. thats why ones with marks are cheaper....

SLS · 3 October 2010, 10:12 AM

The best thing to do is try to find a replacement or service dial for the watch, refinishing the dial will kill the value. Post some pics of the watch, we're always eager to help & spend your money!

Scott

Racer X · 3 October 2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedly1

tried it on some damaged dial ......................... some deteriorate the second anything moist (including a Qtip with a bit of spit) touches it .... the black spots you are talking about tend to be 'in' the compound and even on the tuff ones don't wipe off...... even though its really tempting and looks like they should grrrrr....

Good info. I figured I wasn't the first to consider cleaning. Sounds like it is indeed a gamble to go the q-tip path though. Damn!

onkyo · 3 October 2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racer X

Good info. I figured I wasn't the first to consider cleaning. Sounds like it is indeed a gamble to go the q-tip path though. Damn!

If there is something that can be done with a dial, hands or an entire watch..... Jed has done it.

I just dream ....

AlecRolexGuy · 30 July 2020, 01:32 AM

Hi i want to know , how can i clean de hour markers without any chemical product ?

Dan S · 30 July 2020, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlecRolexGuy

Hi i want to know , how can i clean de hour markers without any chemical product ?

Read the comments, you can't clean the hour markers. The best advice is to buy a watch where you are happy with the condition of the dial.

Styles Bitchley · 30 July 2020, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlecRolexGuy

Hi i want to know , how can i clean de hour markers without any chemical product ?

Belt sander.

3 October 2010, 08:51 AM	#1
Racer X "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Dave Location: Unknown Posts: 999	Cleaning hour markers Hi all, Been looking at various vintage subs and many have discolored hour markers. I'm talking about the dark stains that look like mold or mildew. Sometimes they are a black color; other times they are brownish orange color. I'm wondering, is there any way to clean the hour markers to remove or lighten those stains? I was thinking maybe a q-tip soaked with a very mild bleach/water solution might clear them up. I, of course, would like to hear from the experts before trying something like this on a vintage timepiece. Thanks.

3 October 2010, 10:12 AM	#9
SLS "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Scott Location: GMT -7 Watch: GMT's & Sub's Posts: 10,399	The best thing to do is try to find a replacement or service dial for the watch, refinishing the dial will kill the value. Post some pics of the watch, we're always eager to help & spend your money! Scott __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922

30 July 2020, 01:32 AM	#12
AlecRolexGuy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: canada Posts: 1	Rolex cleaning hour markers ? Hi i want to know , how can i clean de hour markers without any chemical product ?

3 October 2010, 09:14 AM	#2
DadsWatch72 Banned Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Watch: DRSD 1665 #3551XXX Posts: 2,401	That is most likely the Tritium starting to decay or "Patina". I would do nothing to that dial.

3 October 2010, 09:23 AM	#3
onkyo Banned Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Pav Location: Manhattan Posts: 11,495	Hi RacerX and welcome to the forum. There would be a significant risk of damaging your dial by doing that or ending up with a result worse than you have now. I would proceed with extreme caution.

3 October 2010, 10:09 AM	#7
rockyn "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Robyn Location: nanaimo canada Watch: GMT IIc Posts: 479	I don't think there is any way to clean up a dial without refinishing.

3 October 2010, 10:10 AM	#8
jedly1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: mel(oz)/Yorks(uk) Posts: 1,917	tried it on some damaged dial ...its a real gamble... some tritium based compound is super strong indestructible and you could probably stick it under tap......................... some deteriorate the second anything moist (including a Qtip with a bit of spit) touches it .... the black spots you are talking about tend to be 'in' the compound and even on the tuff ones don't wipe off...... even though its really tempting and looks like they should grrrrr.... put the qtip down and step away from the dial :) ps. thats why ones with marks are cheaper....

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