How to clean a watch dial
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- Опубликовано: 2 дек 2024
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WARNING CLEAN UNDER YOUR OWN RISK.
In this video i show you my way of cleaning vintage watch dial, if you expect a new dial this is not the method for you, you need to get a new dial or refinish the one you have.
This is a simple way to do it but if not careful you can ruin the dial.
![[ASMR] Vintage Square Bulova Watch Dial Restoration](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U4qX2FO8NLc/mqdefault.jpg)
Nice job - you gave this watch a 2nd life and saved it from some landfill. A very honorable endeavor in this throwaway culture. Thanks for posting this.
+brewer9565 thank you for that, how can so many collectors say they'll run for ever if no one wants to give theses watches a second chance. Great comment thank you 🙏
special thanks for thinking of us the Celsius people
+Alex Kastano lol... ya youuu people 🤣
Yeah those celsius people who only account for 98% of the Earth population 😂
It still looks great, an old dial has character. I would definitely wear this as is. The new strap gives it a second life, plus the case polish/cleaning. Keep up the good work.
A few comments.. first, I stop and let a dial dry between each cleaning as I find they lighten up when dry. You may find you only need 2-3 cleanings instead of more. Second, that type of Bulova dial cleans up nice. If I had that dial, I'd gently/carefully rub it between my fingers with a little toothpaste (make it watery). I find it works great. Another thing to try is coin cleaner. Dipping it in coin cleaner, then washing with soapy water, then clean water. Bottom line is every dial is different. Some can be improved upon, some can't.
Very nice
I would avoid any kind of abrasives including toothpaste.
DOESNT LOOK NEW BUT LOOKS WAYYY BETTER! THESE OLD WATCHES HAVE CLIMBED IN VALUE!
i bought a tiny ingersoll watch to clean up for my mom´s birthday, thanks for the video, it really helped.
Yup, watches are for people who appreciate it, and bringing it to life is definitely the most rewarding thing to do.
Hi Fernando!! I just wanted to say I love your channel! I am a vintage watch nut myself, but I am a pocket watch guy myself. I am a watchmaker, and I just wanted to give ya a helping hint if you haven't tried it yet. The heated water is a wonder way of doing the dial cleaning. Have you tried using Rodico? I use it to a great effect on metal and glass enamel dials, and it's perfect. Just very lightly dab and slide it across the dial as you did with the q-tip. Keep up the wonderful work my friend!! I simply love your channel, and passion for these pieces of history. It's my passion to preserve and restore them for the future generations to love and enjoy!! It makes me smile everytime I see one of your videos because you share the passion like I do. I wish more folks could see the craftsmanship, and quality that these have!! Today a watch of the quality that the vintage ones were made would be astronomical in price. Have a wonderful day Fernando!
Thank you so very much it means the world to me that another watchman likes my videos at the end it's all about passion, I have tried rodico but it lifts the painted edges at times in porcelain dials it works great but I have had no luck with these old painted dials.
thank you so much for your support I hope to one day make a video with someone like you that we can share watch restoration experiences with the public.🙂
My friend, you make my desire for collecting increase drastically. It's an awesome hobby! I just started collecting and have about a dozen of them, half in almost new condition or excellent. Have acquired them between $30 to $50 bucks each. Some in the mid $20s.
Thanks for your time, I enjoy this ,I have very similar one right now,paid half off 6.99,runs like a champ,only way I can afford my habit 🤪
Nice job, I do lots of this type of restoration also on vintage watches, but I use lighter fluid and gently wash it in a 2 oz. lighter fluid scrubs it with a soft makeup brush, you can clean the case of the watch also and it makes it nice clean and shiny.
I think of these old watches not just as works of wearable art but technology ahead of it's time. Just think about how well made they are, you can wind one up that's almost 100 years old and it will start ticking most of the time! And they made all those tiny components without computers. I hate how everything is so made to be thrown away these days. When was the last time you heard of someone getting grandpa's watch? And just because it's not solid gold doesn't mean it's not worth anything. These vintage watches are awesome. We should value them for the marvels they are 😉
Have you seen what they go for on eBay? It's worth the work believe me.
Nice job ! I'm gonna try this with some scrap dials first. Thanks for the tip. Regards from Brazil.
You did a great job there. The watch looks magnificent.
I've achieved some good results with this "pure hot water" method. The last dial i cleaned unfortunately went wrong right at the very start. It was a dial from the 60s with the Brand name printed/painted on a silvery surface. After the first water bath, barely having touched the text, some parts of it started to get loose and floated away with the water. I'm just telling this, because despite this method being a very gentle one, you just never know what may happen. If you think you can live with some patina on the dial: LEAVE IT LIKE IT IS! If you want to try cleaning it: PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE RISK OF POSSIBLY MAKING IT WORSE.
Still many thanks for this well made and useful video, Fernando! It's still the best way of doing a gentle dial work.
THATS WHY HE SAID USE WARM WATER NOT HOT WATER
@@NoEmotionTrader77 Well, i wouldn't bath in a +65 degrees water because it's too HOT. Then again i'd call it too cold for cooking coffee😉. That being all highly relative, i used the thermometer. You might not like my choice of words, but i can tell you, i'm not cleaning dials the first time. One man's hot is another man's warm and that goes for the dials too. As an alternative i can recommend apple vinegar (unheated☝).
I soak my metal dials in vinegar for a bit, then the oxidation just wipes off and leaves the paint intact.
Real pleasure watching you work and appreciate the lesson! Be blessed!
This is great. An inexpensive NuWave induction hot plate can hold a precise temperature. To use the hotplate all you do is enter the desired temperature into the digital display. The plate will only work with induction cookware (ceramic will not work) but stainless steel cookware is available that works with the induction system. I have not tried using it to clean a watch dial but it might work.
david
+Vivienne Pierce that is a fenomal idea, I will try it thank you so much 😊
phenominal@@todorelojconfernando
Great looking Art Deco watch....
Thank you for this. The hand held camera work is awesome(considering) and you really portrayed the procedure very well. Brilliant video. Earnt a subscriber
Tiene que quedar el reloj con cierto aspecto de viejo para que se note lo vintage? Buen trabajo.
Nothing is better than some thing
Nice job got me thinking what other house hold tools could wipe away the grime . especially in that top left hand corner.
Nice.. I have had good luck just lightly rubbing the dial with my finger and tooth paste. I wet the dial first, then get the toothpaste on the watery side, and use my finger or thumb so I can judge the amount of pressure I use. Then rinse it off and dry it. Doesn't work on all types of dials but usually works good on one like that.
hockeyrd99 I would use that method on a porcelain dial, thanks for the tip 😀
You're welcome. I use the ultra-sound machine for porcelain dials.. great for bouncing out the dirt in hairline cracks. I think the tooth paste also works great on old silvered dials, like Elgin or Bulova Art Deco dials from the 1920s. I have had the blackest, rusty looking dials come up like new! Cheers
Have you tried with an ultrasonic cleaner? It did improve but I think some of that dirt can still come off.
Yes with water only but it did not remove the dirt and my Sonic only gets up to 75 degree 😊
Sweet thank you. I just bought a old Elgin Art Deco wristwatch and the dial is a little ugly, the rest of the watch is really nice. Gonna give this a try.
AMAZING! GOOD JOB
Very Nice
Have you tried rodico as a supplement to the sponge ?
+Allan Lauritsen yes and it destroys the dial, the painted lines come up with it it's to aggressive
Hi,
Thanks very much for your video, beautiful work.
I'm looking forward to repaint a dial, can you refer me someone who can do the job.
Thanks very much.
Kind regards.
Thank you for sharing your techniques, very cool! We appreciate your work restoring and maintaining each and every mechanical watch! Thank you!
Thank you so much for watching 🙂
I like the video- thank you. A question though - I have an (I think an official antique) omega seamaster which has scratches on the watch face (ie not dirt) - any ideas would be much appreciated David
leave it as is or find a OEM dial to replace i have a video were i changed i dial on an old omega
Where do you live ? If you in Arundel come to my house i help you to chance the new crystal, and i will teach you how to chance band, crystal, oil etc.
Do you have any videos on removing the dials on some of these vintage pieces? I have a Gruen ver-thin cal 425 I need some info on getting the dial off.
I will put that on my list, I know exactly what your talking about🙂
What can be done if the paint itself has holes??
I just bought a vintage bulova. The face is similar to the one in this video. Does anyone know where I can purchase a replacement crystal? Thanks in advance.
Why didn't the video Guy answer this? You have to cut a crystal for a square watch. Cut it and then wetsand it to desired measurements.
There are plenty of new old stock crystals out there, no need to make one. I have tens of thousands, and eventually will have online, but right now they aren’t organized at all. Try searching for GS crystals. Otto frie has them as well as many others
Still a great video - thanks for sharing!! I have a Bulova collection and need to find someone to do the kind of work you just did on that Bulova....polish cases, replace crystals, general clean up and repair stuff....any suggestions? Is this something you do? Thanks again!!
What model is that ? I know it's bulova I had one many years ago but swapped it for another watch . I've always regretted it so if you know the model I'd appreciate it .
I use a none toxic cream called MAAS it's amazing and no need for what you've just done the job is done in half the time
Awesome job! I wonder if dawn dish soap would help or hurt?
+T. Baker Dawn is a powerful degreaser I think it will ruin the dial, just water to be safe
Would a ultrasonic cleaner be easier?
Its no bueno! Haha rips the paint right off.
I always wanted a 1962 automatic timex being that was the year I was born and being when I was six years old that was the first watch my dad got me, I bought one in really nice shape but it must’ve sat a long time in one position so it’s got a stain where the hand used to be how can I remove that. I don’t care how accurate it is because it’s only if I go out I’m going to wear the watch. And just out of curiosity what would you charge to clean and service an old Timex X
Sounds like the hands might have radium lume. If that's the case its permanent
I waited so long for that watch it was in perfect condition a floor model. I sent it out for oiling and got back a watch with a complete different case complete different face completely different year I chalked it up as shame on me now I can’t find another one
@@jojojeep1 You have to be real careful. There are so many butchers who clame to be watchmakers. Very sad to hear about your watch.
@@Horologist-zu5vq I was still a little sore about the watch it just happened yesterday, I’m not gonna say the guys a butcher I seen his work he’s very very good he really is it’s just everything that could go wrong went wrong and he tried to fix it with the wrong parts anyway it’s only a time X take care brother
nice job bro, love how you're preserving history aspects.
The hands started out gold. In the finished results they were blue. How did that happen?
Only one small critique. Do not use a magic eraser, instead go to the dollar store, buy a pack of sponges and then cut them to size. Magic erasers are abrasive if wiped or twisted on the watch face. Also do not use makeup sponges as they do not absorb the water well.
Beautiful end result sir!
Awesome video
What about if I’m using santinizer to taping on it???
I'd get some Ajax and brillo and totally clean that dial up. You pamper it too much. What it wants is tough love. But my hat's off to you for restoring these old dingy watches. I have one suggestion: use a very tiny artist's bristle paint brush, a bright so the strands are short and stiff, size 000 or smaller if you can find it, and use that to rub very gently in the non painted areas. Might work to get more of the deep absorbed dirt and grime up. Just a suggestion. Thanks for the vid.
How about sandpaper? That will clean it right up!
Nice job try mothers cleaner. Find on Amazon or at your local auto parts store good only on case. Not face. Thanks
Excellent hobby! Enjoyed the video thank you!
I wonder what dish soap would do?
I was told to use dish soap. Its ok for a quick rinse but it doesnt do much. After the 3rd rinse the paint usually starts coming off. So there definitely is better ways to clean your dial
I would’ve put a little homemade patina on the case and that watch would look excellent there’s nothing like an aged look
What watch are you wearing in this video?
Part of history. Good enough reason for me
OK I need to say this without sounding like a jerk or a know-it-all but I watched this vid as I was working on a vintage watch for a special gift for someone. The dial was not anywhere near as dirty as this one. I followed these instructions to the letter about water temp etc. To my horror when I removed the dial the warm water lifted what was a lacquer finish on the dial itself. It had bubbles and was peeling away at the rim. In a panic, I removed the obvious parts of lifting lacquer very gingerly. Through an arduous process I was able to make a pretty decent recovery by three different very light sprays of a clear hobby "Lacquer" (what it actually was I don't know) Fortunately it worked "ok." But the point here is, This is NOT a good way to clean a dial for the reason just stated. Once you screw up the dial, your project is over or you're sending it to a professional for refinishing at great expense. Beware.#collectingvintagewatches
Was your watch from the 1960s? Some of them have that glossy clear lacquer which wasn't used on the older watches. I had that happen once to me too. 🙄 those are darn impossible to clean unless professionally restored.
Very good work 👍👏👏👏
Bro if u let it sit in lighter fluid instead of just water it cleand it 3 times better then that.
I never ruined one with lighter fluid.
Water? Won't water cause more corrosion in the long run?
Ah, the good old magic eraser :) Who'd have thought? Great job, indeed, thanks. Any hints on how to handle discoloring from excessive sunlight? I have a watch here, that has dark markings on the gold colored dial that I think come from exposure to sunlight, because you can clearly make out the place where the non moving hands had been. There it stayed the original color.
+Michael Gisiger theres no fixing fade or discoloration other then redoing the dial. 😁
Yeah, I suspected that. That's ok, I have it mainly for spare parts anyway, lower end BFG movement. Thanks. Oh, btw, did you ever make that video about strap restoration? This is something I am really dabbling in :)
You may have been looking at radium burns from radium filled hands.
Great attitude
Thank you
Good job ! Looks great
+Robert Sanchez thank you for your support
Collecting Vintage Watches , Fernando thank you sir your work on this channel is excellent, I enjoyed every one of your videos and subbed as well . Keep it up Brother and thank you for all the tips
+Robert Sanchez thank you so much it means the work to me 🙏
Very cool clean up. Thanks.
Have you ever used distilled water?
Nice job!!
+Mark DuBerry thank you 😊
Wow... Cool!
Would it works with any type of dial?
+Jeviar Firsta I have never tried it on a lume dial only painted dials
Collecting Vintage Watches I mean like omega dial made around 50-70es... Such as ones on constellations or seamasters...
Collecting Vintage Watches and merry Christmas to you all!
+Jeviar Firsta Merry Christmas 🎄😊
Awesome job, thank you for the videos. Keep them coming!
+tim fenrich thank you so much Tim.
Just wondering. Is that not radium on the dial?
+Nicholas Mork Hi the tritium or radium would be on the lume and art Deco watches have no lume, for a lume dial the same process works but you might have to relume the dial. Thanks for watching 😁
Very informative and helpful. Thank you.
Hi Fernado? You're blogs get better and more interesting, so looks good for the future myfriend.👍 I really enjoyed the job you did and loved you're reply to why.BECAUSE YOU CAN ! brilliant answer.
+Paul Brady thank you for that vote of confidence Paul it really means the world to me. 🙏
Yes, Fernando you have a good thing going with these videos. For guys like me/us that scour the flea markets and garage sales looking for our next project these are golden. I for one had no training and just have bought tools and watched some other videos and dove in. Please do some others on maybe movement swaps, balance clean/oil. Love your delivery!
tim fenrich Tim thank you for that, and just starting ti fix watches and youtube videos is the best school you can get, i will start doing more repair videos but i have a big issue im camera illiterate so i will buy a good camera and study the manual to give you guys good quality content. Thanks again 🙏
Beautiful
What a great job you’ve accomplished.
I just found an antique watch in an old box of my grandmothers. It must be a well made because my husband set the time and it's running perfect. Do you have an email I could send you a question about it
On Instagram @fernado7h
Thank you for this; i have a Certina Bristol 235 which i will try this on. It is my first time but i will give it a shot and show you on a video later on with a reference to this video.
You did an awesome job here. I am confident that this will actually help me as well. I will post my video in a couple of weeks. I am waiting for the spunge now (same as yours)
appreciate!
Best regards
Beautiful project. Thanx.
I collect these little fellas I love when I hear them ticking
Very nice job...thank you for sharing this video with us
Well done sir!😃
+Johnny Johansson thank you much for the support
What worries me is that suspiciously curly hair in the water... O.o I've got a Wostok dial I want to do a proper job to as I managed to sterilise both my Boctok gloss dark blue Amphibia dials with Isopropyl Alcohol and this time I am gonna not erase all the markings..
Videos just keep getter better.
If u would polish the case and really clean the dial then u would have a 30 to 60$ watch specially if u can make it run.
O yeah if its a shyt watch just soak the dial and movment in lighter fluid for day or 2 ive brought back many old movment watchs to run agin with only lighter fluid no lie!
cant stop laugh - the dial looks so good loll and looks like after WW2
Could you have blued the hands after you de rusted them ?
If your wondering about say pocket watch hands yes you could blue them again. With heat or chemical. But be sure they are good and polished if theres pitting u will get a dirty shine
what watch are you wearing? It looks like a Oysterquartz.
+Knobexploit music electronics Hi, im wearing the Omega i featured in the flea market watch video 😁
You trying to cheat me ??? Todo reloj con fernando I didnt know you have an english channel to excelente trabajo voy a suscribirme a este tambien.
"Why? Because I can." - I love it! I've done so many things in life only because I believed I can. And this hobby? This is historical preservation - good job, my friend!
Is it a man’s or lady’s watch ?
The sponge you are using is melamine foam aka "magic sponge/eraser" which is quite abrasive and definitely I wouldn't put it near my vintage watch dials. And putting oxidized hands in water also another big no, no. I'd go for an ultrasonic cleaner to agitate the surface of the dial. No strong, reactive chemicals either. Restoring a watch dial is really a complicated job and cannot be achieved just by soaking in water.
thanks!
Movement seems bigger than dial and case
Haz un video en español
Try a pencil eraser. I use them all the time
+Allen Russell I have tried the eraser but it doesn't lift the dirt. 😁
Collecting Vintage Watches I've used it on several with good results. Doesn't always work but most of the ones I've tried on that didn't were pretty much gone anyway.
You want to lightly lift dirt off the dial rather than rub it off. I wouldn’t dare take an eraser to a dial. Blue tac can work.
+EverDayBest Hi, I did try multiple eraser's and they were to hard on the painted line's, I found that the magic eraser by mister clean works best but if you have used a blue tac I would love to see your end result, thank you so much for your comment 😊
EverDayBest it depends on the dial. It seems to me the newer the dial the more fragile the finish. I've used erasers on dials from the 1930s and older and they look new.
the dial neeed a refurbish
Hii
No need spend so long time you can use denture tablet is so quick only 4 mnt
I use meigers car wax after it works great
Temperature gun.... do you call a kid thermometer a temperature sucker? a ear pistol... what about a temperature glass stick :)
+ShazamMafia lol, what ever works brother 😁
USUIALLY THIS SHIT DOESNT WORK,
YOU HAVE TO CLEAN ALL THE DIAL EVEN THE LETTERS, ETC,, BRAND.. REP+AINT, THAN USE THE STICKERS, BUT IT WILL BE NO MORE ORIGINAL..
HOW MUCH MONEY DID YOU LOSE ON THIS WATCH YOU PAID 2.00 PUT A BAND ON IT PAID FOR THAT AND PUT CRYSTAL ON IT AND PAID FOR THAT AND NOW IT ONLY A 10.00 WATCH YOU HAD TO LOSE MONEY
I lost nothing it looks so beautiful on my wife that I would do it again, a lot of people say it's not about the money and it don't mean it, this was a fun project with no money in mind 😊
This is a good observation, but can be misplaced. People have different motivations for doing something. He posted this video and it had a lot of value for people so there's something that you can't put a number on. Plus I bet we learn from each other. There's a bunch of suggestions in this thread to improve things even more.
Nice answers