| Author | Message | ||
     zaf Rating: N/A |
I've been polishing crystals now for years using a small dremel type tool and some "Plastic Rouge" made by Vigor. For years and years I've been buffing crystals that have had minor scratches to make them look like new prior to offering them for sale on Finer Times. Crystals with deep scratches have always been discarded and replaced as it has impossible to polish away the scratch without giving the crystal a "wavy" appearance...until now! Here's what you do: 1. Take a small piece of 400 grit sand paper. 2. Sand it against another piece of 400 grit paper a few times to take some of the sanding edge off. 3. Wet sand the crystal that has a deep scratch in a uniform circular pattern, covering the entire crystal until the scratch is gone (remember you have nothing to lose here, you were going to replace it anyway.) 4. By now the crystal has a uniform hazy appearance but no scratch. 5. Buff away as you would normally with the dremel tool and plastic rounge. Remember not to stay in one spot too long and not to press too hard as this can easily burn the plastic. After a few passes the crystal gets more and more transparent and then Presto!! As new looking crystal ready for service. Zaf | ||
| Frederico Castro Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the tip. I do a similar operation but with 1200 grit sandpaper (no water) and a regular car wax(very good on making all plastics look new). | ||
| Gabe Rating: N/A |
For minor scratches, I discovered a good use for a micro-crystalline wax that I use in another collecting interest (ancient bronzes). It's called 'Renaissance Wax' and is used by the British Museum for preservation of their ancient bronzes. If you do a search for it on the 'net, you can find it. The tinyest swipe onto the pad of a finger can then be lightly applied to a watch crystal (the strokes should only go in one direction). Then you have to let it dry completely (about 30 minutes). You then lightly buff the crystal with the same finger. You can also use a Q-tip but I find that it works better for me when applied and buffed with a finger. It preserves its clear color over time and does not yellow like other waxes do. As with all waxes, subtle applications give the best results. | ||
| VICSTICTOK Rating: N/A |
Try using a small dab of tooth paste. Apply it with your finger as above. Just work it around in a circular motion then wipe it off. Works real good. Thanks, VICSTICTOK | ||
| jerry vines Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I have a miata sports car with a plastic rear window in the convertible top. A while back, the window had a bunch of fine scratches. I discovered a product called "Novus 2 fine scratch remover". You can buy it I think on www.mmmiata.com for a cheap price. If I'm mistaken about mmmiata, then do a google search using the word miata and you will find this product. It comes in a large plastic squeeze bottle. I found that it works VERY WELL to polish out scratches on plastic watch crystals, too! Just use a drop or two on the crystal and rub it with a soft cotton cloth. It works amazingly well, even on real scuffs... which are worse than mere scratches. Just keep on working with it. It will do the job! |