Non of these will take out deep scratches. 2000 grit sandpaper to take out stubborn scratches. Then 5000 grit. A polishing wheel with polishing compund to take the surface down to the bottom of the slight sanding scratches. Then I use a jewelers rouge cloth to buff. Then the Polywatch for crystal clear new finish.
Yes, I have also used the 3 step process....just not for watch crystals. My experience with Novus is what made me choose them for the challenge in the first place. Thanks for watching and for the comment.
Hey Mark. Another great video my friend. Love the comparrisons you did. I actually use maquires ultimate polish on my crystals and get great results. It's specifically designed to remove swirls marks from paint. However, I will agree with you that Polywatch does a great job and is a really great product. However, on a cost per oz basis it's a considerably higher priced product. Also depending on the condition of the crystal I get better results when using a buffing wheel on a low speed and finish off with a soft clean cotton buffing wheel. Just watch your speed and keep lost of polish on the crystal to prevent heat build up. For really deep scratches I use a combination of wet and dry emory paper starting at 1500 grit moving up to 5000 and use some water sprayed on with a misting nozzle.
Hey Graham, that's some Great information you shared. When I saw that Maguires made PlastX I didn't even think to try their car polish. I will definitely look into that in the future. Thanks so much for the great comment. You always leave such good information. Thanks for watching and thanks again for the comment!!
Thanks for the demo. I use a 3M product that is designed for polishing cars. It has done a great job in the past on plastic. The PolyWatch must have a more aggressive abrasive in it. Of coarse you could always go with a finer sandpaper and take the 1500 scratches out making it easier to remove by hand. I use a wool polish wheel on a small bench grinder. BTW I am just starting on my journey down the watchmakers road. :)
I am watching this again and again, thinking about buying one again. Last time i opted for an automatic GS. I just started collecting Accutrons so maybe it is time for a Springdrive.
PlastX is great I use on headlights...with foam pads plus machine polisher. For glass use Ceriglass...we use a rotary machine with Rayon pads. Both can be used by hand. My icon shows scratches being taken out of paint. Thx for sharing your idea.
Tthanks for doing this comparison. I have often wondered myself. As far as your process it might be god to look under microscope prior to polishing to get a reference point.
Hi Robert. Thanks for watching and for the comments! No I haven’t tried toothpaste yet but I have heard it works pretty well. I’ll have to check it out!
All of the crystals in this video were made of polycarbonate or plastic. I believe mineral or sapphire crystals would be too hard to be affected by the grit in these polishes. I know that there are different polishes made specifically for those harder types of crystal though. A quick google search should give you some options. Thanks for watching!!
I don't feel so stupid for buying the polywatch now... The other product that is sometimes recommended is toothpaste. It does work, but I don't know how well. Hmmmm ... minty....
Most people use polywatch on their crystal with the crystal still on the watch. Polywatch is the only one out of all the profucts that's save to use it like that because the chemicals won't affect the metal of the watch. Sure you need to tape the metal so you won't polish any brushed surfaces that don't need polishing. But having a little bit of the solution getting on the metal is unavoidable. At least with polywatch you know it won't damage the metal. With the other products you're just not sure.
@watchasilearn thank you for educating me. That is great information since the price difference in polywatch vs generic plastic polish is so significant. Maybe it is possible to get the same result with regular plastic polish by polishing longer or using a cotton wool. Thank you again!
The trick with Brasso is to rub it onto the surface, let it sit for a few minutes, allowing the solvent to evaporate, then buff. Edit: Actually, I just learned Brasso changed its formula a number of years ago (last can I bought was probably 12 years ago, as a single can lasts so long), so perhaps the instructions have changed.
Interesting... I discovered by chance in the early 1960s - days when anything 'easy clean' didn't exist - that Brasso worked on plastics ... it always took 10-15 mins to remove scratches but worked well ... AND/BUT always needed a post cleaning rinse with washing up liquid !! It's great on brass AND helped me a lot all that time ago !!
Non of these will take out deep scratches. 2000 grit sandpaper to take out stubborn scratches. Then 5000 grit. A polishing wheel with polishing compund to take the surface down to the bottom of the slight sanding scratches. Then I use a jewelers rouge cloth to buff. Then the Polywatch for crystal clear new finish.
Plastx is the best bang for the buck....Thanks for the video!
You could be right Chuck. Thanks for watching and for the comment.
Use a black sponge car pad, to remove fine scratches.
Polywatch will have small abrasives included, that break down over time.
I agree with Walther, the Novus 3 step system gives great results.
Yes, I have also used the 3 step process....just not for watch crystals. My experience with Novus is what made me choose them for the challenge in the first place. Thanks for watching and for the comment.
Hey Mark. Another great video my friend. Love the comparrisons you did. I actually use maquires ultimate polish on my crystals and get great results. It's specifically designed to remove swirls marks from paint. However, I will agree with you that Polywatch does a great job and is a really great product. However, on a cost per oz basis it's a considerably higher priced product. Also depending on the condition of the crystal I get better results when using a buffing wheel on a low speed and finish off with a soft clean cotton buffing wheel. Just watch your speed and keep lost of polish on the crystal to prevent heat build up. For really deep scratches I use a combination of wet and dry emory paper starting at 1500 grit moving up to 5000 and use some water sprayed on with a misting nozzle.
Hey Graham, that's some Great information you shared. When I saw that Maguires made PlastX I didn't even think to try their car polish. I will definitely look into that in the future. Thanks so much for the great comment. You always leave such good information. Thanks for watching and thanks again for the comment!!
Great comparation.
Very interesting
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching and the comment!
Thanks for the demo. I use a 3M product that is designed for polishing cars. It has done a great job in the past on plastic. The PolyWatch must have a more aggressive abrasive in it. Of coarse you could always go with a finer sandpaper and take the 1500 scratches out making it easier to remove by hand. I use a wool polish wheel on a small bench grinder. BTW I am just starting on my journey down the watchmakers road. :)
Hi Hugh, thanks for watching and for the comment. Good luck on your journey, I hope you have as much fun as I am having!
Very good video and you’re very honest so thank you so much
Thanks so much for watching and for the nice comment!!
I am watching this again and again, thinking about buying one again. Last time i opted for an automatic GS. I just started collecting Accutrons so maybe it is time for a Springdrive.
Polywatch seems pretty awesome, id love to see more testiing, and diff compounds on glass crystals too
Great suggestion! I just might have to do that.
Great information thanks for sharing 😊👍
My pleasure. Thanks for subscribing and commenting.
A good comparison, thank you.
I do think the application cloth makes a difference too. The denser the better.
Totally agree! Thanks for watching!
PlastX is great I use on headlights...with foam pads plus machine polisher.
For glass use Ceriglass...we use a rotary machine with Rayon pads.
Both can be used by hand.
My icon shows scratches being taken out of paint.
Thx for sharing your idea.
I’ve been using Novus from a vintage car dash lens repair. It’s amazing if you do all three steps.
Yes, I have much experience with Novus Polishes and have always been impressed. Thanks for the comment.
Have you tried Flitz? Works well on plastic and metal.
Hi Robert, I have used Flitz in the past but never on plastic. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip!!
I was wondering about this. Thank you for satisfying my curiosity!
You bet, thanks for watching!
Nice job as usual keep up the great job
Thanks for watching and for the kind words! Much appreciated!!
Thank you for this test! Time to get me some PolyWatch 😎
Any time! Thanks for watching.
Thanks. Useful vid 😊
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!!
Great video! I will definitely be picking up a tube - unless I get lucky!
Thanks so much for watching and for the comment.
Thanks for this great channel.
Glad you enjoy it! Thanks for subscribing and for the great comment!
Any suggestions for polishing glass crystals?
Well, I haven't tried it but Polywatch also makes a kit for glass crystals. Thanks for the comment.
Ceriglass by hand....
Tthanks for doing this comparison. I have often wondered myself. As far as your process it might be god to look under microscope prior to polishing to get a reference point.
That's a good idea. Thanks for watching and for leaving a comment!!
I have a watch with that cloudy look. I hope I get it like new again
Thanks for comparing. I was wondering if you have tried toothpaste? Some people say it works similar to Polywatch.
Hi Robert. Thanks for watching and for the comments! No I haven’t tried toothpaste yet but I have heard it works pretty well. I’ll have to check it out!
Thanks for doing this experiment! I am about to try polywatch *burp* for the first time 😁
LOL!! What a great comment! You've got me rolling!
I have use cut and polish on glass cooktop and it came up like new! Can I use this on a watch.? Any reply appreciated cheers from Australia ❤
I’m not really sure I’m familiar with that. I’d hate to tell you it’s fine and then it’s not!!
This would work the same on mineral crystals and sapphire or is only limited to plastic or similar crystals
All of the crystals in this video were made of polycarbonate or plastic. I believe mineral or sapphire crystals would be too hard to be affected by the grit in these polishes. I know that there are different polishes made specifically for those harder types of crystal though. A quick google search should give you some options. Thanks for watching!!
I would use plastx as a first stage polish for deeper scratches and then poly watch to finish it.
Hi, I think that’s a great idea. Poly watch is really good at removing fine scratches. Thanks for watching!!
Great video
Thanks for watching. I'm glad you liked it.
Appreciate you for this 👍
Thanks for watching! It was a lot of fun making this video. Appreciate your kind comment!!
NIce video :)
Glad you enjoyed it
LOL! Was that bloopers added to the end??🤪
Yep, I was just being silly! I hope you enjoyed!!
I don't feel so stupid for buying the polywatch now...
The other product that is sometimes recommended is toothpaste. It does work, but I don't know how well. Hmmmm ... minty....
Oh yeah, I didn't think to add toothpaste to the list. I may have to do this again. LOL Thanks for the comment.
I’ve been getting pretty good results with Sensodyne toothpaste. Not even kidding.
I've actually heard of that but I've never tried it. Thanks for the tip!! I appreciate you watching and the great comment!!
I was surprised you didn't test toothpaste. It works well. My preferred plastic polishing compound is PlastX.
Great video :)
Thanks! I appreciate the view and the comment.
Most people use polywatch on their crystal with the crystal still on the watch. Polywatch is the only one out of all the profucts that's save to use it like that because the chemicals won't affect the metal of the watch. Sure you need to tape the metal so you won't polish any brushed surfaces that don't need polishing. But having a little bit of the solution getting on the metal is unavoidable. At least with polywatch you know it won't damage the metal. With the other products you're just not sure.
Thanks for watching and for the comment. None of these products are corrosive to metal and are safe to touch adjacent metal surfaces.
@watchasilearn thank you for educating me. That is great information since the price difference in polywatch vs generic plastic polish is so significant. Maybe it is possible to get the same result with regular plastic polish by polishing longer or using a cotton wool. Thank you again!
The trick with Brasso is to rub it onto the surface, let it sit for a few minutes, allowing the solvent to evaporate, then buff. Edit: Actually, I just learned Brasso changed its formula a number of years ago (last can I bought was probably 12 years ago, as a single can lasts so long), so perhaps the instructions have changed.
Hey there, thanks for watching! I really appreciate the tip. I'll give it a try!!
Interesting... I discovered by chance in the early 1960s - days when anything 'easy clean' didn't exist - that Brasso worked on plastics ... it always took 10-15 mins to remove scratches but worked well ... AND/BUT always needed a post cleaning rinse with washing up liquid !! It's great on brass AND helped me a lot all that time ago !!
Thanks for watching! That's an interesting tip. I have to try working with the Brasso again.
19 minute video needs to be edited down to 5-7 mins or less.
Not an accurate test, you have smooth fine scratches from the abrasive paper! Real life scratches criss cross and are deep something like tic tac do!
Thanks for watching and for your words of encouragement!!
Given the small amount of polish needed, the high cost of polywatch isnt really a factor.
You are exactly right, but I really wanted to mention the difference in price. Thanks for watching and the comment.