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31 July 2009, 05:53 AM | #1 |
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What is the best way to polish acrylic crystals?
My acrylic datejust crystal has some scuffs, what is the best way to polish it? Cape cod or dremel with rouge? Any suggestions?
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31 July 2009, 06:06 AM | #2 |
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check this out I don't has the cajones to do it but here it is.
http://www.oysterworld.de/crystal.htm |
31 July 2009, 06:41 AM | #3 |
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The link describes it nicely.
Ensure that you do it by hand (no power tools) and that you use a solid sandpaper block to keep the sandpaper flat on the crystal. I use 400 grit to take any nasties off, 1200 for smoothing and then duraglit padding (same stuff as brasso / polywatch) to finalise. Also make sure that you use masking tape on any area of the watch (bezel etc) that you wouldn't want accidently sanding.
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31 July 2009, 06:58 AM | #4 |
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I've have some very nice results with Polywatch, but toothpaste or Brasso will do some fine results too.
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31 July 2009, 02:10 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
both work well on my speedy. although brasso is easier for me to get at the local hardware store, polywatch on the other hand i have to order in and it comes in a very small tube.. |
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31 July 2009, 07:40 AM | #6 |
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Polywatch and a piece of toilet paper is all you need......Don't over think it....
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31 July 2009, 08:28 AM | #7 |
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Power tools, especially a Dremel, will likely generate too much heat inn too small a spot and burn ripples or a hole in the crystal.........
best to stick to hand power or a large power buffing wheel if you have the access......
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31 July 2009, 08:36 AM | #8 |
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polywatch and patience.. work great.
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31 July 2009, 12:34 PM | #9 |
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I've had plenty of success with Brasso on scratches on plastic crystals.
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31 July 2009, 12:41 PM | #10 |
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Just tried brasso, looks good!
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31 July 2009, 12:47 PM | #11 |
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Put a dab of toothpaste on your thumb and rub it.
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9 August 2009, 10:39 AM | #12 |
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You guys really need to get some better info the best and only correct way to buff an acrylic crystal is with a high speed buffing machine witha cotton wheel and crystal rouge. Ican take out deep scratches in seconds with no damage from heat to the crystal and it WILL look like new. Do not use a dremel to high speed the cotton wheel is too small concentrating to much heat on one small spot and melting your crystal or distorting the optics. There's the right way then there's the wrong way have it done the right way please. Rik the watchmaker
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9 August 2009, 10:56 AM | #13 |
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I went to the mall once and tried about 2 or 3 jewlery shops to see if anyone could buff out scratches. This was years ago and I can't remember if it was the old crystal or the new one I got in 95'. Two of them said no and one said no problem. He came back in a few minutes with the crystal looking great. I don't know what he did but it didn't take any time at all.
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9 August 2009, 11:05 AM | #14 |
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He was using the correct method like I described. It takes only a few minutes if you know what you're doing if you don't well bye bye crystal. You can buff a cry up to 5 or 6 times before it has to be replaced so once a year get it buffed then at your 5 year service it will get replaced and you can start again. Rik the watchmaker
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9 August 2009, 11:19 AM | #15 |
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just wondering how it should be done when a cyclops is on the crystal?
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9 August 2009, 11:32 AM | #16 |
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Same way as i described the cyclops usually has dings on it as well and is plastic it will polish out to a degree, too much will change the optics Rik,
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9 August 2009, 01:53 PM | #17 |
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I use a plastic polish that I picked up at the auto parts store for plastic back windows.
Works like a champ. |
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