bruce79 Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 I need help to add a bit of patina to the pearl on my 16800. The dial is gen and the tritium has developed a nice cream patina but the insert (also gen) is more the standard modern lume color and it bugs me. Any suggestions? Shoe Polish? Bake in the oven? I dunno, please help. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 How about a little stain and maybe a clear sealer over it? If you look at 16800's, some of the bezel pearls have really turned almost brown. I'm not one of those that likes the really untouched original brown stuff- but you do see it from time to time. Obviously, Rolex would replace the bezel during routine service, but some people like their watches all original. Here's a 16800 original for $9K! http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1982-Rolex-Sub...ksid=p1638.m122 It's item # 350009721238 if the link doesn't work. Also a nice original matte dial, 6 mil serial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
predfan2001 Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 (edited) Yeah, what he said! I tint mine with a little bit of thinned enamel and then clear urethane. (but I really prefer no pearl on vintage models ) Edited January 1, 2008 by predfan2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce79 Posted January 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 yeah, it's a tough call but I'd like to see if a can't add a little cream to it. This is what it looks like now. The lighting shows them to be of closer color than they actually are. Not a big deal but something I notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
predfan2001 Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Testors makes a flat tan for military models. Pick up a bottle of the tan and a bottle of the flat white along with some thinner. You can mix the tan and white to make a nice ivory color like your markers (you can also blend in Testors rust color for a really vintage look). I picked up a pint can of clear urethane at the local Walmart that I use to coat the pearl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raijor Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 I used a touch of coffee applied with a Q-Tip followed by a dab of clear nail varnish. It has worked out quite well. It is a quick easy mod but not permanent. Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Just throwing out another idea.... Amber shellac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Yeah, I like amber shellac. I use it on my woodworking projects. Of course, at $10 a quart, it helps if you have it laying around. Plan B would be coffee or tea and your wife's nail polish- it's always around and free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Yeah, I like amber shellac. I use it on my woodworking projects. Of course, at $10 a quart, it helps if you have it laying around. Plan B would be coffee or tea and your wife's nail polish- it's always around and free! Awesome, a fellow wood worker! Unfortunately my woodworking tools are all in storage right now, but we can still have some off topic conversations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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