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Scuffed my bracelet, how to repair

AP1875

By AP1875
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

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AP1875 WRT Addict

AP1875

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Hi guys,

ive scuffed my bracelet, no idea how but I’d like to try and salvage it if possible. Can anyone help advise what the process is? On the polished bits I’ve always used cape cod to good effect, not sure how to work on these brushed parts though.

 

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jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

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1 hour ago, AP1875 said:

I have a few links with scratches and dents, the scratches will come out with cape cod but when it’s a little deeper like this what is used?

Buff it first with rotary tool, a 5cm hard felt wheel and Dialux Orange works great. If you want it shine then polish with Dialux Blue, otherwise if it's a brushed purchase go directly to the green pad. There are also different grain pads for a finer finish.

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AP1875 WRT Addict

AP1875

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11 minutes ago, jdm said:

Buff it first with rotary tool, a 5cm hard felt wheel and Dialux Orange works great. If you want it shine then polish with Dialux Blue, otherwise if it's a brushed purchase go directly to the green pad. There are also different grain pads for a finer finish.

 Thanks for the info JDM. As you can probably tell this is a side of the watchmaking/restoring hobby i'm just starting to venture into. It does really interest me though. I'm going to buy some cheap bracelets from cousins scratch them up and see if i can get them looking 'new' again before i cause this bracelet anymore damage.

So, for the 5cm felt wheel would this be ok

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/050-to-0150mm-felt-wheels-made-in-uk

Dialux orange and blue

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/dialux-rouges

Any suggestions on a rotary tool?

Thank you

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jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

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8 minutes ago, AP1875 said:

 I'm going to buy some cheap bracelets from cousins scratch them up and see if i can get them looking 'new' again before i cause this bracelet anymore damage.

Much better is to buy beaten up SS watches on Ebay. Restoring is not difficult, and very rewarding.

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Any suggestions on a rotary tool?

Even cheap Chinese are OK. What you want is good mandrels for the wheels, also great is a support for the tool.

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AP1875 WRT Addict

AP1875

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13 minutes ago, jdm said:

Much better is to buy beaten up SS watches on Ebay. Restoring is not difficult, and very rewarding.

Even cheap Chinese are OK. What you want is good mandrels for the wheels, also great is a support for the tool.

Not really sure where to begin with selecting this type of tool but I guess my first question should be is this the type of tool required?

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/cousins-polishing-motor

 

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jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

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16 minutes ago, AP1875 said:

Not really sure where to begin with selecting this type of tool but I guess my first question should be is this the type of tool required?

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/cousins-polishing-motor

That is a motor as I have, beside that you can get it for much less on AliX, rotary tool means something  hand held like a Dremel, Proxxon to mention brand names, but even a Chinese no name is OK, or a drill on an improvised support. Results mostly depend by case in question and technique, if you only have to restore you few pieces it's pointless to spend much. Get also smaller wheels as it's easier to do precise work and avoid edges.

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jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

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3 minutes ago, AP1875 said:

I do actually have a Dremel. It’s a rechargeable one.

https://www.dremeleurope.com/gb/en/dremel®micro-898-ocs-p/


I guess I need a bracket to mount it to a desk and something to hold the hard felt wheel.

Hopefully Dremel make both of these attachments.

Small repairs like the above can easily be done hand held. It's when working of deep dings or large areas (bracelet clasp are surprisingly time consuming) that a motor or a bracket really becomes really a saver. Don't forget to wear cotton gloves and work inside a cardboard box because is a bit of messy work.

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