Polishing Plastic Crystal

[ekhunter]

I have an old Rolex Osterdate with a plastic crystal, yes that's right, plastic, and it's real. The question I have that I hope someone can answer is the crystal has some scratches. Is their a polishing compound I can use with a buffer wheel to remove the scratches? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

[ubiquitous]

You can use polywatch, or toothpaste Personally, I use toothpaste on my vintage Rolex crystals- Applied and rubbed in with my thumb for a few minutes, it works quite well. But, make sure it's the regular paste kind (not the gel, or extra whitening, etc). I have a tube specifically for my watches

[marrickvilleboy]

I usually use 2 ingredients:

1. toothpaste

2. Polywatch

If the scratch is deep, I usually use fine sandpaper to grit it out then use toothpaste (white paste, not gel) and polywatch to top it off.

You can get polywatch from ebay.

[Davey]

If the scratches are deep use a high grit wet and dry paper to smooth the surface, 1500-2000 grit would be fine.

Use a abrasive compound (a car body work rubbing compound would suffice).

Now finish with a fine polish, again auto grade stuff is ok to use.

If your going to use a polishing wheel make sure you use a low speed or you will melt the crystal!

I use Farecla compounds my self, G3 where an abrasive compound is needed an G10 for finishing.

P.S. all of the old Rolies had plastic crystals.

Edited June 14, 2006 by Davey

[ekhunter]

If the scratches are deep use a high grit wet and dry paper to smooth the surface, 1500-2000 grit would be fine.

Use a abrasive compound (a car body work rubbing compound would suffice).

Now finish with a fine polish, again auto grade stuff is ok to use.

If your going to use a polishing wheel make sure you use a low speed or you will melt the crystal!

I use Farecla compounds my self, G3 where an abrasive compound is needed an G10 for finishing.

P.S. all of the old Rolies had plastic crystals.

Didn't know that about all of the old Rollies! Thanks for all of the advice. Get on it tonight.

[lancelot]

Hey ekhunter:

All the tips from our fellow members are correct the only advice that I'm going to give you

What ever you do, don't use the buffing wheel cuz you can burn the crystal unless you

Use a very soft cotton miniature buffing wheel with a dremmel not the bench type buffing

Motor.

[TJGladeRaider]

I have an old Rolex Osterdate with a plastic crystal, yes that's right, plastic, and it's real. The question I have that I hope someone can answer is the crystal has some scratches. Is their a polishing compound I can use with a buffer wheel to remove the scratches? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

I use Brasso - but DO NOT use a power buffer.

Brasso on a cotton ball will do the job in less than thirty minutes. Just rub hard in a circular motion and it will look brand new when you are done.

Bill

[bertieng]

I use Brasso - but DO NOT use a power buffer.

Brasso on a cotton ball will do the job in less than thirty minutes. Just rub hard in a circular motion and it will look brand new when you are done.

Bill

Isn't Brasso for copper surface? Will it eat up the plastic too much?

[krustybrand]

Brasso on a cotton ball will do the job in less than thirty minutes.

30 minutes?? Polywatch will do it in about 2. 5 if you have to use sandpaper first.

[vric]

I use hobby compound (Tamiya not to name it) It's a very fine grain compound. cost about 3$

[TJGladeRaider]

Isn't Brasso for copper surface? Will it eat up the plastic too much?