Cape Cod Cloth - Polishing 16618 Gold

[sechsgang]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

I tried with the cape cod and somehow, the PCL ended up with some sort of haze which stood out to the untouched PCL, maybe I didnt do it correctly, but I stopped as I kind of grumbled some not so nice words.

I definitely have said those not nice words before

[DJRikki]

You didnt do it right. Explain your process

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Disagree. In fact less care is necessary for those. They are far better than blackening abrasive wool/cloth with removed gold anyway.

It's your prerogative of course, however ...

Originally Posted by jonnyz1245

Both gold and SS PCL's will pick up micro scratches unless nothing ever touches them. There is nothing you can do about this. They seemingly get swirls just by looking at them

Originally Posted by Mystro

Meh, this no polishing movement is way over blown. I have used a Cape Cod cloth on the 18k PCL for 17 years on my Bluesy. A light touch is all that is required.

How's this for a long time empirical data for using a cape cod cloth. There isn't any gold worn away even noticeable from a macro pic view. The edges on the bracelet are sharp and pristine. Even Rikki that received the watch for a routine service at the 15 year mark said the watch was in outstanding condition. I don't know if this "no polishing" movement is fueled by just being unsure of what to do or you flip watches fast enough it doesn't matter? Polishing with a cape cod cloth a few times a year is routine ownership and not refurbing the watch.

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by DJRikki

You didnt do it right. Explain your process

Well, I used a small piece of the cape cod, polished in short strokes back and forth, not very long, maybe 10-15 strokes, then I wiped off the oil from the cloth with a micro fibre, there was a haze, so I then washed the bracelet with watch spray and the haze was less but it left a visibly very different finish than the untouched PCL, since then, I have been to chicken to try and fix it. DO you have any suggestion that actually works?

[m j b]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Well, I used a small piece of the cape cod, polished in short strokes back and forth, not very long, maybe 10-15 strokes, then I wiped off the oil from the cloth with a micro fibre, there was a haze...

Up to this point it sounds like you were following their instructions. You are supposed to wipe off the polishing compound with "the enclosed towel" which I found to be less than premium quality. For me, it didn't remove all of the polish, so I used good 'ole soap and water and cleaned the bracelet thoroughly and dried with a good quality MF towel. Yeah, it sounds like a lot of trouble, but it's only a few minutes and I've wasted much more time than that trolling Internet forums for stuff...

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by m j b

Up to this point it sounds like you were following their instructions. You are supposed to wipe off the polishing compound with "the enclosed towel" which I found to be less than premium quality. For me, it didn't remove all of the polish, so I used good 'ole soap and water and cleaned the bracelet thoroughly and dried with a good quality MF towel. Yeah, it sounds like a lot of trouble, but it's only a few minutes and I've wasted much more time than that trolling Internet forums for stuff...

I want to add that you must wash the watch with Dawn dish soap before you use the cape cod cloth. If not, you may be polishing the surface that is contaminated with micro grit and body oil. Then your cape cod cloth will be contaminated. Wash the watch before and after using the cape cod cloth.

[DJRikki]

Here's what you are all scared of - NOT hand polishing with a cloth

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

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

I tried with the cape cod and somehow, the PCL ended up with some sort of haze which stood out to the untouched PCL, maybe I didnt do it correctly, but I stopped as I kind of grumbled some not so nice words.

Nicholas, clean the desired area first and make sure it's dry .
Tape off areas you do not want polished . Gently but firmly
polish in an up and down direction the pcl links or polished
area desired with the cape cod cloth .
If it's the polished side of a case then side to
side movement when polishing . It should get grayish in color.
After a minute or so of polishing side to side on the side case
or up and down on the bracelet pcl links , with a dry new or clean
Microfiber fine cloth wipe the affected or polished area until its
completely clean from any grayish residue . DO NOT WASH with
Water!!! Only after the residue is completely cleaned or removed
then you can rewash with soap or whatever... this process should
not leave any haziness or scuff like marks and should remove
hairline scuff marks and light desk diving marks to like new
condition ...

P.s. This process should be done very sparingly as in once every
Couple or few years to minimize the wearing down of steel or gold
on the bracelet or case ... The case maybe should be left to RSC
during service time to polish if it should need a light polish or such .

[breitlings]

I have seen posters over polish on breitling source with cc cloth. And that was steel

[DJRikki]

Originally Posted by superstarmar

Nicholas, clean the desired area first and make sure it's dry .
Tape off areas you do not want polished . Gently but firmly
polish in an up and down direction the pcl links or polished
area desired with the cape cod cloth .
If it's the polished side of a case then side to
side movement when polishing . It should get grayish in color.
After a minute or so of polishing side to side on the side case
or up and down on the bracelet pcl links , with a dry new or clean
Microfiber fine cloth wipe the affected or polished area until its
completely clean from any grayish residue . DO NOT WASH with
Water!!! Only after the residue is completely cleaned or removed
then you can rewash with soap or whatever... this process should
not leave any haziness or scuff like marks and should remove
hairline scuff marks and light desk diving marks to like new
condition ...

P.s. This process should be done very sparingly as in once every
Couple or few years to minimize the wearing down of steel or gold
on the bracelet or case ... The case maybe should be left to RSC
during service time to polish if it should need a light polish or such .

Use circular motions. Not up and down or side to side. Its the same are car detailing. You dont want to burn grooves into the surface and using circular or orbital random moves prevents this.

[DJRikki]

Originally Posted by breitlings

I have seen posters over polish on breitling source with cc cloth. And that was steel

Links please.

[fskywalker]

As others said above if done right cape code will remove the swirls without any major deterioration of the steel / gold.

[Racerdj]

I agree.

Originally Posted by kilyung

Your fears are valid. You'll wear down the gold and even create uneven areas. Perhaps you should brush the PCLs?

[ag986]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Meh, this no polishing movement is way over blown. I have used a Cape Cod cloth on the 18k PCL for 17 years on my Bluesy. A light touch is all that is required.

How's this for a long time empirical data for using a cape cod cloth. There isn't any gold worn away even noticeable from a macro pic view. The edges on the bracelet are sharp and pristine. Even Rikki that received the watch for a routine service at the 15 year mark said the watch was in outstanding condition. I don't know if this "no polishing" movement is fueled by just being unsure of what to do or you flip watches fast enough it doesn't matter? Polishing with a cape cod cloth a few times a year is routine ownership and not refurbing the watch.

It looks as new!

[drm20]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Meh, this no polishing movement is way over blown. I have used a Cape Cod cloth on the 18k PCL for 17 years on my Bluesy. A light touch is all that is required.

How's this for a long time empirical data for using a cape cod cloth. There isn't any gold worn away even noticeable from a macro pic view. The edges on the bracelet are sharp and pristine. Even Rikki that received the watch for a routine service at the 15 year mark said the watch was in outstanding condition. I don't know if this "no polishing" movement is fueled by just being unsure of what to do or you flip watches fast enough it doesn't matter? Polishing with a cape cod cloth a few times a year is routine ownership and not refurbing the watch.

Wow, that looks fantastic!!

[Leohhy]

I have a YG/SS Daytona, the bezel have a little scratch. I tried to polish it with Cape Cod today. If you really want to polish it. You may need make a rubber stick and polish the bezel as gentle as you can. And remember to avoid polishing those little black letterings... But to be honest speaking, I don’t want to do it again... Hope this will help someone who is worry about this.

[tomallen]

Getting polishing compound in between the link pins and bushings will cause undue wear and excessive stretch. The gold wears fast enough just wearing the watch with out help from abrasives. Even after an ultrasonic cleaning there still might be trapped abrasive compound residue.

[Bazza.]

I just went over my 11 year old Milgauss last night only spent around 10 mins on it
looks so much better for it

[peterpl]

Originally Posted by DJRikki

Do it without worry.

Hand polishing with cape cod is NOTHING compared to a machine grinding away at metal work.

100% agree. Hand polishing with a cape cod is going to do ZERO damage to your watch if done once every 12 months or so for 10mins.

It is very different when you send it off to RSC/Watchmaker to get a polish done. They use machines, dremels etc.....your hand cant do that much damage if at all.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by drm20

Wow, that looks fantastic!!

Absolutely.

[Chaching]

Don’t polish your Gold Rolex. Leave it be!

[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by Chaching

Don’t polish your Gold Rolex. Leave it be!

That is the best, most succinct advice posted.

[Watches are to be worn and they WILL accumulate some wear. Such is life, so don't let it get to you.]

[jeffnnj]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

Ouch. Those are some bad ones.

Or buy a DD. Scratch problem solved.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DM101]

I use a Jewellery Cloth - less abrasive than CAPE COD on gold links....

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...hlight=Tarnish

[1kw]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Meh, this no polishing movement is way over blown. I have used a Cape Cod cloth on the 18k PCL for 17 years on my Bluesy. A light touch is all that is required.

How's this for a long time empirical data for using a cape cod cloth. There isn't any gold worn away even noticeable from a macro pic view. The edges on the bracelet are sharp and pristine. Even Rikki that received the watch for a routine service at the 15 year mark said the watch was in outstanding condition. I don't know if this "no polishing" movement is fueled by just being unsure of what to do or you flip watches fast enough it doesn't matter? Polishing with a cape cod cloth a few times a year is routine ownership and not refurbing the watch.

I agree completely. I use a cape cod cloth a few times a year on my watches and they show no signs of wear even after many years.

[1kw]

Originally Posted by tomallen

Getting polishing compound in between the link pins and bushings will cause undue wear and excessive stretch. The gold wears fast enough just wearing the watch with out help from abrasives. Even after an ultrasonic cleaning there still might be trapped abrasive compound residue.

I wash the watch in warm water after I polish with the cape cod cloth to remove any excess material, no issues at all.

[seabreeze60]

I have used Cape Cod for years, sparingly, without a problem. Just make sure you wash off the chemicals after use. That’s why they include a protective glove in the kit. As for how much gold it takes off, there’s not much black on the cloth and no gold that I have ever seen.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by tomallen

Getting polishing compound in between the link pins and bushings will cause undue wear and excessive stretch. The gold wears fast enough just wearing the watch with out help from abrasives. Even after an ultrasonic cleaning there still might be trapped abrasive compound residue.

This doesn't happen unless you use an excessive amount. Only use a pin head size of polishing paste on your finger tip, a small dab on each center link, then use a cotton cloth in a linear motion. When done, wash the watch in warm water and a bit of Dawn. No worries!

[seabreeze60]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

This doesn't happen unless you use an excessive amount. Only use a pin head size of polishing paste on your finger tip, a small dab on each center link, then use a cotton cloth in a linear motion. When done, wash the watch in warm water and a bit of Dawn. No worries!

Good point on the Dawn!

[DJRikki]

I think the problem is the term "polishing" which in the car world means usually by hand removing fine scratches and swirls but in the watch world means grinding away metal on a bench mounted high torque machine.