Any ideas to clean up?

[jnash]

Hoping it's just the lacquer and it can be taken off with minimal damage, I've seen someone do this by boiling it in water

Anyone have any experience with this?

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[frenchie]

If it's just the lacquer, I recommend Windex (ammonia based window cleaner) , applied gently with a q-tip and rinsed well when done.

I wouldn't boil it no matter what, I can see the heat destroying the paint and causing it to separate from the dial. I've see some impressive results with the boiling method on the internets, but the failures are just as impressive IMO...

[rogart63]

A few drops of lemon i have heard of but never tested. I usually leave them as they are. Clean the best i can with Rodico. 

[Cad101]

I've boiled and repainted but there's an art to that see my Helvetica needs TLC post it can be dangerous as usually the small writing is printed on the lacquer butvi dont boil i soake in just boiled water for a few minutes as Frenchie said any ammonia based cleaner works well I've also had some good results with diluted stain remover about 5parts water 1 stain remover . You'll never get a flawless dail whatever youdo and i think if its an older vintage watch a bit of age related stainage adds to its character. The lacquer on yours has bubbled and it looks like its lifted the silver too.

Mick

[frenchie]

5 hours ago, rogart63 said:

A few drops of lemon i have heard of but never tested. I usually leave them as they are. Clean the best i can with Rodico. 

Some people swear by the lemon, it never worked for me the few times I tried it...

Rodico is pretty good and very low risk.

 

5 hours ago, Cad101 said:

You'll never get a flawless dail whatever youdo and i think if its an older vintage watch a bit of age related stainage adds to its character.

+1

Edited May 14, 2016 by frenchie
addded stuff

[jnash]

Thanks all, been given this watch and i said i would have a go, the owner is not interested in the watch unless the watch face looks better. 

Rodico does nothing, i may try the hot water and see if there is a difference, but a bit worried that if the silver has come up then it may be worse!

 

[jdm]

I don't think you can "clean" that, looks like corrosion from prolonged exposition to humidity, considering it's on the indexes too.

Edited May 14, 2016 by jdm

[Cad101]

If the rest ofcyhe astvhbis nice and the movements good you vould always find a donor dial.

[Cad101]

Hell fire my tablet writes what it wants. I would find a donor if rest of the watch us fine.

[digginstony]

If the watch has to sparkle for the owner to be interested, as Cad101 says, a donor movement would be a good option.

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[digginstony]

I meant to say dial not movement ????

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[jdm]

18 minutes ago, digginstony said:

If the watch has to sparkle for the owner to be interested, as Cad101 says, a donor movement would be a good option.

"Donor" for a 5717 is unlikely. Probably better to contact a dial restoring specialist. It is a rare and valuable watch.

[digginstony]

There's one on sale at Ebay uk at the moment. Don't know if it has more potential than yours? See pic below

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[jnash]

Thanks, but ive seen that one 100 times, everytime it pops up i hoped it was a new one!

Promised the owner i would check out restorers quotes before any drastic attempts to make better!

[jdrichard]

I was told to put it in water and the throw in a denture cleaning pill and leave it over night.

From Canada

[MrBeat]

I recall the watchguy doing a piece on just such a clean up and i have tried his method a few times my self with quite good success >

http://watchguy.co.uk/cleaning-and-preserving-original-finish-on-dials/

My other method is to wet the dial in water and use some bicarb of soda and mild detergent raw and gently clean the dial between the fingers with lightest of pressure before rinsing thoroughly, sounds harsh but theres a nack to it and works well on certain dials. Although take any method given with caution

Edited May 21, 2016 by MrBeat

[Geo]

On 19 May 2016 at 0:56 PM, jdrichard said:

I was told to put it in water and the throw in a denture cleaning pill and leave it over night.

From Canada

Only if enamel, not safe for painted/lacquered finishes.