Fading an insert...What is the good formula?

[prdubis]

Hi mates,

I have been trying several times to fade my 1665 insert but never managed to achieve the result some members manage to get.

I've tried bleach and hot water, oxyclean, bleach + oxyclean, I tried to scrub it with a Scotchbrite pad but it remains as bright as new...

Anyone can give me the right formula/way to fade it like a 20 yr old one?

Thank you for your help!

[FxrAndy]

I tried to blech a PMWF one and it would not change in the slightest

[Brightight]

I suppose it is possible it depends on what the insert is made of whether it can be aged or not, though I haven't yet had one that wouldn't. Certainly paint (or whatever the coating is) on a metal backing will work. Sounds like yours is some sort of plastic. I put mine in neat bleach in a shallow plastic container, agitate it constantly (if you leave it, it looks the same until you move it when all the paint goes into the bleach and you're left with an overbleached insert - don't ask me how I know that) and take it out when you see some changes, wash it, dry it and inspect. If not enough, put it back in and so on. Some people dilute the bleach so it is slower, but that doesn't really work for me, I'm too impatient!

Edited July 18, 2010 by Brightight

[kbh]

I used pool chlorine, but you have to be careful because it doesn't take long.I don't remember exactly how long I left it in but somewhere around 30 seconds and it came out a little lighter than I had wanted.

[what2]

I used bleach and then after 30 seconds or so wiped the insert with a cloth. Make sure your bleach is actually good old fashion bleach, alot of them now are "color safe" and made up of other chemicals

[prdubis]

When you say bleach, you mean sodium hypochlorite, right?

Not hydrogen peroxyde?

[Rolexaddict]

this insert you try to fade is probably one with a clear protective coat. Nothing will be able to break this, its heat cured. To remove this coat and allow bleach to work you can use #800/1200 sandpaper, gently, and always in the same way. Then use bleach, but watch well as now it will go fast...

Edited July 19, 2010 by Rolexaddict

[UT Horn]

I just did one yesterday. It was a MBW insert that took longer than a Yuki I did before. It took ~45 minutes to fade where I wanted it. A good tip that was mentioned above was to agitate the water and take it out so you can see what is really happening. Once the color starts to go, it fades fast. Here's a pic of my MBW 1665 GW I took with my iPhone. Sorry for the resolution.

Here's how it started:

Edited July 19, 2010 by UT Horn

[kbh]

Here's what straight pool chlorine will do in a very short time.

[UT Horn]

Here's what straight pool chlorine will do in a very short time.

You got a nice effect from the chlorine. I wish I would have thought of that and saved myself some time.

[flex]

That's very very nice..

[mjmj]

Here's what straight pool chlorine will do in a very short time.

Looks great. I will have to try that.

At the moment, I am using diluted bleach 50/50 with water. Leaving the insert in for 10-15mins, then at 5min intervals. Yes this takes a while but then it allows me to better control the process.

[UT Horn]

Here's a picture with a real camera. I really like the blueish grey color the insert gets when faded.

Edited July 21, 2010 by UT Horn

[Dizzy]

Looks great. I will have to try that.

At the moment, I am using diluted bleach 50/50 with water. Leaving the insert in for 10-15mins, then at 5min intervals. Yes this takes a while but then it allows me to better control the process.

This is exactly how i do it..

50/50 bleach and water. I start with a 5 min dip then rinse off under the tap. Inspect and repeat. Different inserts will take different times in the solution depending on quality, paint type etc etc. If you want scratches on it or damage, be sure to inflict this prior to bleaching for best result

BEFORE

AFTER

Edited July 23, 2010 by Dizzy

[bandit_99]

Yours is just right Dizzy.

Are you guys removing the bezel, or just the insert? Could you just put some tape over the crystal and dip while the watch is assembled or are there ill effects on the crystal?

[Dizzy]

You need to remove the bezel from the watch. I guess you can leave the insert in the bezel if you want. The bezel comes off easy on these, you just pry it off. Its just held on with a round retention ring.

dizzz