Polydent soak really works;

[Simeon]

Working through a pocket watch and decided to give the dial a soak in Polydent denture cleaner. It really does work. The dial had lots of stains and oil residue that have gone and the hairline cracks have been cleaned to make them less obvious. 

 

Before:

After:

 

[rjenkinsgb]

I've been intending to try also treating the dial with Renaissance wax (preservation polish) after cleaning, when I get to one that has such cracks. (I've got some polydent specifically for the job).

The wax should hopefully keep it in the clean state rather longer than if left with the cracks exposed to air.

 

[Simeon]

6 hours ago, rjenkinsgb said:

I've been intending to try also treating the dial with Renaissance wax (preservation polish) after cleaning, when I get to one that has such cracks. (I've got some polydent specifically for the job).

The wax should hopefully keep it in the clean state rather longer than if left with the cracks exposed to air.

 

This is a good point. Obviously the cleaning out of the cracks / removing the tarnish is just a temporary thing. Perhaps Renaissance wax would provide some further protection (without negatively affecting the dial). 
thank you!