Jump to content

Watch Crystal Polishing

jdrichard
 Share

Recommended Posts

jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
Posted

Is it possible to get scratches out of a Seiko Hardlex Crystal. I tried with a drumel tool and various types of polish but was unsuccessful. Polishing the body of the watch works well, but the darn crystal scratches stay. You would think that making a scratch is less violent than 5000 rpm drumel with #2 polish.

From Canada

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

I think Hardlex clouds with the heat of the dremmel...too fast, too hot! By the time you "eliminate" the scratch the crystal will be unusable. A slower "way/machine" with gradually decreasing grids and, using a coolant, might work though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
canthus Super WRT Addict

canthus

Posted
Posted (edited)

It can be done as I did one for my 6139B for which new Seiko crystals are hard to come by a very expensive.  Just needs plenty of patience and work through the wet&dry papers, then diamond pastes to get the final polish.  Mine took about 4 hours in total so maybe not cost effective for a pro.  

I got about halfway through and decided that as it was a nice sunny day (1 one we had last year) I would continue on the patio.  You guessed it, just about to give it a final polish when I dropped it, and yes it broke into 3 pieces.  I nearly cried !!  

Just had to cough up for a new one but settled for a Sternkraus which was a perfect fit.

Edited by canthus
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted

I have polished one yesterday, no big dial. Speed can be 6 - 10K, doesn't matter much, paper quality do matter. I've found that most effective is 3M 600 grit, wet of course. Finish with 2000 and if you have it diamantine paste.

 

25563826375_5a6457681b_c.jpg

 

One or two darn specs of dust have dodged my attention and I'll remove them tomorrow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I have polished one yesterday, no big dial. Speed can be 6 - 10K, doesn't matter much, paper quality do matter. I've found that most effective is 3M 600 grit, wet of course. Finish with 2000 and if you have it diamantine paste.

25563826375_5a6457681b_c.jpg

One or two darn specs of dust have dodged my attention and I'll remove them tomorrow.

Did you use a Drumel tool and some sort of bit?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted (edited)

Did you use a Drumel tool and some sort of bit?

 

Rotation speeds implies a rotary tool of your liking and wet paper about 6cm diameter. People saying it can be done manually just love to see their life being ground slowly.

Edited by jdm
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
  • Author
Posted

If you had kept going with the 2000 grit before the final polish you would have removed all the marks from the 240.

I did finish with the 2000 grit but did a final buff with Peek. I think a piece of leather would work as the final final buff

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I did see some very fine scratches if I looked at a light through the Crystal. I'm pretty picky so I did do a rebuff with the drumel and some fine Green #7 polish. Looks pretty good now. Like new. Now I don't have to disassemble the Crystal assemble including Gaskets etc.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Awesome video dude!! Exactly what I was looking for in terms of polishing info!

Thank You

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey thanks. The video I did is what I was looking for all along. I have a ton on YouTube music and some magic videos but now am adding Watch Repair instruction where I can and only if it works. Mark is the man when it comes to the watch repair game. I am one step below amateur. You can find me on Facebook as well under JDWatchboy. I put up the site to track progress on some watches I am fixing for friends and for part costs only. Just enjoying the hobby, but who knows?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdrichard Distinguished Member

jdrichard

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ok, revised advice. I took the Crystal once again as there were two small hairline scratches that were just bugging me, and tried to remove them using pumice. That made it worse. Then I used my drumel again and tried to buff out the new scratches; that didn't work. Then I got out the 1200 grit and worked a full sheet of rubbing followed by the 2000 grit and a half sheet of rubbing; THAT WORKED! So new technique should be Drumel with 240 grit drum for the first shooting and major scratches followed by a quick drumel buff with number 6 High Gloss, followed by 1200 grit, Two Sheets of hand rubbing and 2000 Grit 1 sheet of hand rubbing (sanding). DO NOT GO IN CIRCLES while rubbing; back and forth is best. Thanks.c57d3bc465bd728e67c60a8688664877.jpgc80a5f8af13ad56d65617b4a571299ad.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ramrod Super WRT Addict

ramrod

Posted
Posted

i gotta tell you that is an excellent job. it looks like a new crystal. i just purchased a seiko diver that needs a lot of help with the crystal. i am actually gonna buy a new one, but i'd be interested in trying this method on this crystal. the diver i got has quite a few deep scratches that i think might not polish out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • eccentric59
      Hello fellow watch enthusiasts!

      By eccentric59 · Posted

      Welcome to WRT. 
    • fnick
      Hello fellow watch enthusiasts!

      By fnick · Posted

      Hi Vandan. Hi from a fellow newbie! Marshall has got a lot to answer for hasn't he! 😄. I also got hooked to this hobby after watching his videos.  Good luck with your journey to service your Grandfather's watch.   Nick 
    • MikeEll
      Favre-Lueba vintage rectangluar case/crystal

      By MikeEll · Posted

      Hi all, I have a lovely Favre-Lueba dress watch from late 70s/early 80s in a stainless steel case.  Its an unusual curved rectangular case and crystal.  I'm wondering if there's any possibility I might be able to buy/find a replacement crystal for this watch.  The base of the crystal is also curved to match the case, rather than flat.  I'm looking at the Cousins website page here https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/rectsq-rounded-corners-one-side-curved-bezel-sternkreuz-rzr but not sure if I'm looking for the correct type.  In my case its a rectanglular crystal with rounded corners, and both the upper and lower surfaces of the crystal are curved.   Update - OK I now think I know what I'm looking for, but Cousins don't stock the size I need :-).  I think I need a Sternkruez RZ 315x220R9, acrylic, cylindrically domed with rounded corners.  Any tips or alternate sources for this type of crystal? Many thanks
    • rossjackson01
      DIY Screw polisher

      By rossjackson01 · Posted

      Getting more interesting this post, innit? Mikeplilk, Waggy. Impressed with your efforts. Makes mine look amateurish. Hey, that's what I am. Still, I have good results with the 'frog'. Apprentice test piece. Paper is from https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234602659940?var=534248554534   I am aware that the more I delve into the DIY, the more I am gaining understanding of watchmaking. Well, a little each time. Ross  
    • VWatchie
      Watch of Today

      By VWatchie · Posted

      Now, that's a bad boy watch! 🫡
×
×
  • Create New...