How do I get a GMT bezel to have this fade?

[jfmiii]

bleach? drain cleaner?  im looking for that bright, light red and blue.  any suggestions?  anyone have pics of theirs and tips on what they did?

[Guest REPPIN]

I use bleach and a combination of 800 grit sandpaper and a scotchbrite pad to fade my bezels. 

The sand paper is really just to knock off the "sheen" and get them looking old. The scotchbrite mars it up and removes some of the paint off the inside of the insert where it meets the crystal. 

Then I soak it in straight, un-diluted bleach for anywhere between 5-30 minutes to get the desired look. Just make sure you don't leave it too long and monitor it closely. I've faded one to complete silver before on accident. 

Here is a tudor sub I just finished using this method (This insert was black when I stared ,and it faded to such a nice blue, that I used it on a Blue Tudor Sub!!!) 

. Ill try go get some pics of a GMT pepsi I did later if I remember! 

[marrickvilleboy]

Reppin, get a new set of hands - the yuki ones are wrong (too long)

[Guest REPPIN]

Reppin, get a new set of hands - the yuki ones are wrong (too long)

I know. I have a tiger set coming. 

Those arent Yuki BTW. They are Raffles. 

[swift7777]

That is such a great solution to the dark blue insert dilemma I've been having with my 9041/0, most of rep inserts are way too blue purple & after you fade them they look really purple. Glad I stopped by!!

That's a really nice dial too, If you don't mind me asking where did you source it? The helenarou dial I have in my build is ok but again a bit too blue for a true Marine Nationale flake.

[cavi]

Dont forget. To really wash in water over and over to remove bleach

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[panerai153]

Or, you can use the old "tincture of time" method. Here is mine. Took 28 years, but it came out pretty good!!!

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[Guest REPPIN]

That is such a great solution to the dark blue insert dilemma I've been having with my 9041/0, most of rep inserts are way too blue purple & after you fade them they look really purple. Glad I stopped by!!

That's a really nice dial too, If you don't mind me asking where did you source it? The helenarou dial I have in my build is ok but again a bit too blue for a true Marine Nationale flake.

Its a yuki dial that I baked at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. 

 

Then I applied some...ahem...ladies makeup from the wife to the whole dial to give it a nice matte, toned down blue. 

 

Really actually turned out well...whatever works right! 

[Lolex_panelai]

the old 'tincture of time' method is great

bleaching might work. with sandpaper etc. you might see too much bleaching at the edg

 

good idea to use a bleached black insert for a blue dial, as blue is difficult to work. looks great the tudor!

i put some nicotine on my blue dial,

before

in work

after

with the dial i am fine.

[jfmiii]

the old 'tincture of time' method is great

bleaching might work. with sandpaper etc. you might see too much bleaching at the edg

 

good idea to use a bleached black insert for a blue dial, as blue is difficult to work. looks great the tudor!

i put some nicotine on my blue dial,

before

in work

after

with the dial i am fine.

any interest in selling your GMT?  im looking to replace a 16750 i sold ~1.5 years ago.

Edited August 18, 2015 by jfmiii

[swift7777]

REPPIN, thanks for info on the dial, seems like yuki has one of the best besides the old Vietnam dials I have seen.

JFMIII, That dial looks great, a deep dark blue / black, I'll have to give the smoke mod a try.