Polishing Chrome-Plated Watches...(some HOPE!).
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 5:11 am
So this is a rather perennial topic of frustration. A lot of vintage watches have Chrome (or sometimes Nickel) plating over brass, and when that plate gets scratched or hazy, there are NOT a lot of great options. I collect old Soviet watches and while the gold-plated ones often do well (gold being soft enough to buff, without removing material, and where missing brass and gold being close in color), the chrome ones can often look pretty rough. While most of my collection is pretty nice, and clean looking, one of my favorites (a Raketa 24-hour Submarine service-watch), has seen some action. Now this is not a bother. There are lot of good reasons to buy watches with history (and patina), and while a few scratches are part of the charm/story, haze and light-swirling is a kinda' lame thing that doesn't add anything attractive (or historical I.M.O.).
While there is no "Polywatch" for this, there is something close, I'm happy to report. Recently picked up a bar of Jeweler's rouge made for hard, white metals (see link https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jewelers-Green ... 3949589403 ). I only wish I'd taken before/after pics! This stuff is legendary!
I didn't want to lose anymore of the plating than necessary, and so didn't use any buffer or machine, but instead put a bit on a soft felt rag, from a CD/DVD-buffing kit. I masked off an anodized part of the bezel with masking tape and then began working each of the effected areas lightly and with even, medium pressure. It only took a couple of minutes to see a serious improvement. When the rag started to look dark (from chrome removed), I did a second application and then a third, working it a few minutes each time. JUST EXACTLY what I'd hoped for! Still character there, but also a real shine that had been missing before. It takes patience, but will prove very rewarding.
While there is no "Polywatch" for this, there is something close, I'm happy to report. Recently picked up a bar of Jeweler's rouge made for hard, white metals (see link https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jewelers-Green ... 3949589403 ). I only wish I'd taken before/after pics! This stuff is legendary!
I didn't want to lose anymore of the plating than necessary, and so didn't use any buffer or machine, but instead put a bit on a soft felt rag, from a CD/DVD-buffing kit. I masked off an anodized part of the bezel with masking tape and then began working each of the effected areas lightly and with even, medium pressure. It only took a couple of minutes to see a serious improvement. When the rag started to look dark (from chrome removed), I did a second application and then a third, working it a few minutes each time. JUST EXACTLY what I'd hoped for! Still character there, but also a real shine that had been missing before. It takes patience, but will prove very rewarding.