Removing scratches from steel

[Patrick Bateman]

Gave my watch to Ernest Jones to have the battery changed the other week and the bds have managed to scratch the back, you can clearly see where a tool they have used to twist the back off has slipped, but also managed to put a scratch on the front as well. Wish I'd said something at the time but didn't want to make an issue, sigh.

The scratches are in the metal, prior to getting them to do the battery I asked them if they could remove some other (very) small scratches on the surface and they said no. H. Samuels today said they wouldn't be able to do anything about the scratches either. Don't have a decent camera on me at the moment to show them.

If they were on the back only I wouldn't be too fussed, how on earth the guy managed to stick one on the front though I do not know.

[bry1975]

Hi there,

What brand is your watch?

Bry

[Gurbinder]

They say Cape Cod is good but it depends how deep they scratches are.

[Patrick Bateman]

That's the watch I've got.

I find it somewhat ironic I've kept it in very good condition for 3 years now and upon giving it to a jeweller it gets the worst scratches.

[bry1975]

Hi there,

A highly polished watch case scratch so easily if it's a light scratch you can probably use cape cod. The 316L stainless steel is very soft hence scratches easily paper can actually mark the mirrored finish as it's slightly abrasive.


Regs


Bry

[Patrick Bateman]

These cape cod cloths, are they idiot proof? Can I just give the whole surface a going over?

[bry1975]

Try the cape cod on an old practice piece also always make sure the watch is water resistant.




Regs


Bry

[Patrick Bateman]

Mmmm the guy said by changing the battery it loses its water resistance?

Although this was the same guy that managed to scratch the thing...

[bry1975]

Only if the clown has crimped or forgot to replace the caseback gasket.

[andy_s]

I think the only thing for it is to buy another watch...

[Phooey]

Patrick Bateman said:

These cape cod cloths, are they idiot proof? Can I just give the whole surface a going over?

I've just done a quick Google search on these cloths. Seems you have to exercise a little caution on certain metal finishes.

http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/scratches/scratc...

Sorry to hijack this thread, but has anyone had any experience of using these cloths on a Milgauss? i wear mine daily and have picked up zillions of tiny scratches/scuffs and the odd deep scratch (which will obviously not polish out), and how frequent would you advise doing this? Scratches are picked up daily, so would it be dangerous to say, give it a little rub once a month? Don't want to polish the thing away

Would be interested to hear of some first hand experience of these cloths, rather than trusting what Google brings up.

Ta

[bry1975]

IMO you should only polish or refinish a case if it's really needed as every time you polish or refinish a case you remove metal and to much polishing leads to the sucked toffee look!

And FYI I've never used those clothes always used the best Swiss abrasive so Sia wet and dry for scratch removal lighter marks I use micromesh aircraft grade polishing cloths upto 12,000grit!


Hope this helps.

Bry

[Miguel Alvarez]

NeMiSiS said:

Take it back and tell them to sort it out.

+1

[andy tims]

Miguel Alvarez said:

NeMiSiS said:

Take it back and tell them to sort it out.

+1

Absolutely

[Vipers]

Don't know how they did it, but when my Sea Dweller went back to Rolex for a service, it came back looking like new.

I had my name engraved on the back, when it came back, it could hardly be seen, guess they buffed it up with something.

As one post suggested, take it back.




:O

[bry1975]

Vipers,

Polishing metals and scratch removal can be quite an art you wouldn't believe how many different final polishing and cutting(scratch removal) wheels are available not including polishing mops, felt wheels, felt bobs etc etc.

These days I prefer to use hand finishing but have used sisal wheels, calico wheels, loose, sewn polishing wheels plus felt wheels and bobs. Hell you can even buy a polishing soap that is used for brush/satin finishing.

[johnfm]

so, they scratch both sides of your watch and you don't mention it because you didn't want the hassle?

You should take it back, but they will probably tell you to bugger off if it has been a while. If they can't change a battery, their customer service may not be up to much either.