ravishingrick Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Do a bit of modding from time to time on my own watches. I seem to always notice a few dust particles on the dial after reassembling the watch. Dust on the dial is my pet hate, but even after taking thorough precautions to prevent getting dust on the dial, it mostly happens. I think the main reason is that I donot have a good enough method to blow dust particles of the dial. I usually wipe of any visible particles of the dial very gently with a small cloth or blow the dust of with a gush of breath. But even after checking the dial thoughroly before reassebling I always seem to notice a few dust particles floating around after the watch has been assembled and have been wearing the watch for some time. The solution that comes to my mind would be a to use a very powerful dust blower, that simply can blow all (to me visible and invisible) dust of the dial just before reassembling. Canned air comes to mind, but I am a bit worried about any other fluids they might have added that might stain the dial. Anyone have experience using canned air for dial dust blowing or does a regular cheap watchmakers dust blower like the following one do the job just fine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stilty Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 you can also use a small static brush that is designed for this purpose. Just gently brush the dial. I would avoid blowing on the dial as you may leave a bit of saliva on the dial. not good. canned air works well too. you can order them from any supply house. Dial Cleaning Brush Large Anti-static brush for cleaning dials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravishingrick Posted October 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Thanks stilty... You are right about getting saliva on the dial... Happened to me once, almost left a stain on the dial... I shall be checking out the anti-static brushes on eBay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docblackrock Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Compressed air ?! Don't even go there, an accident waiting to happen IMO especially if you're talking about delicate vintage dials. Use the Bergeon blower and if that's not enough, touch up with a clump of Rodico - after all that's what both products are designed for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Like the Doc says, Rodico and a "Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stilty Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 But even after checking the dial thoughroly before reassebling I always seem to notice a few dust particles floating around after the watch has been assembled and have been wearing the watch for some time. Oh yes, make sure you clean out the inside of your case as well. Maybe if you dial is clean, but you have a few particles inside the case on the crystal, these eventually settle on the dial. yes, rodico is great, just gently touch the dial, don't push on too hard or you may leave a smudge. the orange blower is awesome too, and yes, you can use canned air, with no problem, just be careful and not blow too close. I've got a can in my office left by some computer guy. I've used it to blow out the inside of cases, and the odd dial from time to time. Just don't blow too close and in light quick bursts. just be gentle with whatever you use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 A can of compressed air is great for cleaning the inside of a crystal & case before reassembly, but I would not use it on the dial. In addition to the chemicals that can be expelled during the first spray or two, the thrust of air can blow parts right off the dial. So be sure to spray from a distance or use a watchmaker's air bulb like the Bergeon. The only problem with using air by itself to clean a dial or crystal is that dust often adheres to the crystal due to static electricity and even strong sprays from a can of air usually will not loosen all of them. A dial brush or rodico are more effective on a dial (use can use rodico, gently, on hands and dial markers too) and manual cleaning with a (clean) lint-free cloth is good on the inside crystal. But regardless of what you use, it is important to inspect, inspect & inspect the dial and crystal before reassembling your watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravishingrick Posted October 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 I try to not get dust near the crystal in the first place by placing the case in an fresh plastic bag directly after decasing the movement and dial. I inspect the crystal and case thoroughly before reassembling, If I see any dust on the crystal I remove the particles with some blue-tack on a toothpick or I hold the case and crystal about 1cm from a vacuum cleaners tube, that sucks any dust particles right off... These tricks work well for case and crystal, but cannot be used for mounted dials with mounted hands... I have learned allot today, I actually always new that I needed a dust blower but was just being cheap... So I finally pulled the trigger a ordered a dust blower and a anti static brush... I already have blue-tack a cheap equivalent to Rodico.. Thanks allot for the tips guys... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 I already have blue-tack a cheap equivalent to Rodico.. Blu-Tack doesn't eat grease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docblackrock Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Agree. There's no substitute for that magic green putty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cib0rgman Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Where do I get that green putt, how is called Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stilty Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Where do I get that green putt, how is called Thanks It is called rodico and you can get it from any supply house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Click here for Rodico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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