Cheap Unprofessional Plastic Polish

[matabog]

The victim:

 

 

The murderers:

 

 

2-3 steps with the nail file:

 

 

final step, with Polywatch

 

 

 

It takes no more then 15-20 minutes... 30 if you have two left hands, like me.

Edited February 6, 2016 by matabog

[Mark]

Nice job.

I used to use liquid brasso on a rough cloth and rub the Perspex glass vigorously on it. The heat generated would help polish the glass nicely.

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[matabog]

Mark!!!!

You're back!

I am actually dancing right now!!!

 

I'm very happy!

 

What happened? Why the long break? Are you OK?

[oldhippy]

Nice job.

I used to use liquid brasso on a rough cloth and rub the Perspex glass vigorously on it. The heat generated would help polish the glass nicely.

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Same here Mark.

[ausimax]

Brasso does a good job on glass crystals also, won't remove the scratches but it polishes them and they don't stand out so much.

 

Max

[bobm12]

Excellent job on the crystal!

 

...and Mark, glad to have you around!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[dalarry]

hi matabog,

beautiful work!

i was wondering if you would mind posting a more detailed step by step of how you did that. (please)

i am presently working on a beautiful Hampden whose crystal needs work.

i either fix the crystal or order a new glass one from WW.

he is very reasonable but i would rather fix what i have.

I love this site by the way

thanks

Todd. 

[matabog]

The nail file that I used is a cheap chinese 7-faces nail file. I used only the faces 3 and 4 which I believe are the equivalent of some 800-1000 and 1500-2000 grit paper. The nail file has a soft rubber material immediately under the grit-paper and so it somehow better contacts the plastic watch-glass. After covering all the deep scratches with the lower grit-paper I turned to the higher grit one. You can do that in two or three steps, depending on your hurry. My advice: clean up after each step because if you get a "large piece" of plastic from a previous step in the current higher-grit paper you will induce several other scratches.

 

In the end put some cotton material on a soft surface (I use that yellow sponge-like material) and over it put a drop of polywatch. After about 5 minutes it will look spotless.

 

The above "method" is what works for me It is my personal opinion - others may differ.

 

Bogdan

[Alaskamick]

I do appreciate that some people will spend time to refurb an item to keep the original but on a personal basis I would always know that the crystal wasn't right and it would annoy me.

 

I'm sure that it would cost less to just get a new crystal and replace the old one. Job done and a sparkling new looking watch.

 

Mike

[matabog]

I think it is debatable.

 

The topic title is Cheap and Unprofessional Plastic Polish. I am talking about a 30$ watch for myself, not for a customer - I am not a watch repairer, just a hobbyist.

 

I didn't polish it to keep the original but because it was cheaper and easier.

 

Thank you,

Bogdan

[Alaskamick]

Hi Bogdan, I'm not saying you are wrong in any way and I do appreciate what you say so please don't misunderstand me.

 

Perhaps I am lucky and watch crystals are very easy to obtain here, also I am retired with a decent pension so if I want to keep a watch for my own use then I want it to be perfect without, what I consider to be unnecessary work, and I am lucky enough to be able to pay for most parts without any difficulty.

 

I think you have done a great job and wish you all the best.

 

Keep up the good work.

 

Mike

[matabog]

I apologise if i seemed defensive - english is not my first language, obviously.

 

For me, all the fun is in the watch movement. I am not too interested in the rest. The fact that it is a new crystal or a polished one makes no difference to me.

[Alaskamick]

All ok,

 

Best wishes, Mike

[Geo]

My tuppence worth.

I prefer to sand down and polish acrylic crystal if they are original to the watch. On numerous times I have ordered replacement crystals for vintage watches and found the profile to be incorrect. I guarantee an acrylic crystal sanded and polished properly will have as good a finish as a new one. Done correctly it takes quite a bit of time, you won't do it properly in five minutes.

[bobm12]

 

I prefer to sand down and polish acrylic crystal if they are original to the watch. On numerous times I have ordered replacement crystals for vintage watches and found the profile to be incorrect. I guarantee an acrylic crystal sanded and polished properly will have as good a finish as a new one. Done correctly it takes quite a bit of time, you won't do it properly in five minutes.          

Agree, specially knowing that those factory made have been done in the same way by machines...and what about the satisfaction of having the authentic item and restored by yourself!! It is a pleasure that can not be described...

 

Also, it is a hobby anyway!

 

Two more pennies! :)

 

Cheers,

 

Bob