Your metal watch, after some time of use, often gets scratched or accumulates dirt, diminishing its aesthetic appeal. Let’s go through 7 effective ways to polish a metal watch strap that has scratches, rust, and dirt with Min Luxury – Replica Watch!
What materials are metal watch straps made of?
Metal watch straps can be made from various materials, depending on the manufacturer’s design. However, generally, metal watch straps are typically made from the following materials:
Stainless Steel Watch Strap
Stainless steel watches are quite popular among watch enthusiasts. Stainless steel is a non-corrosive material that provides high quality and good durability. Additionally, this type of strap contains a bit of chromium to ensure a shiny surface, reducing oxidation and effective corrosion resistance for the watch. Stainless steel watches are also relatively affordable.
Gold Watch Strap
Gold is a sought-after metal due to its alluring and luxurious appearance. One distinctive feature of gold is its ability to be polished into a mirror finish and crafted into various premium products. However, while gold has excellent corrosion resistance, its hardness is not as good, making it prone to scratches on watches made from this material.
Titanium Watch Strap
Titanium is a relatively lightweight metal, weighing only 60% of the weight of steel. However, it is exceptionally shiny and durable, often used to craft high-end and elegant watches. Titanium has a higher durability than steel, making it a preferred choice for those with sensitive skin. Nevertheless, watches made from this material can be quite expensive.
Platinum Watch Strap
Platinum, also known as white gold, is the highest-quality material for watches. It offers excellent hardness, durability, and resistance to oxidation. However, platinum is quite expensive, and watches made from this material are produced in limited quantities. Replacement parts for this type of watch are also limited, so when polishing the strap, be sure not to use abrasive materials that could diminish its value.
Why is it necessary to polish a metal watch strap?
Over time, metal watches tend to lose their shine, accumulate rust, and show signs of wear and tear. The gaps in the watch’s links are prone to collecting dust and dirt, diminishing the watch’s aesthetic appeal. Additionally, leaving a watch unpolished for too long can lead to dust and dirt infiltrating the watch’s inner components, affecting its performance.
Therefore, if you are using a metal watch, it’s essential to carefully polish the watch strap to keep it clean, new, and shiny.
Tools and Preparations for Polishing a Metal Watch Strap Safety goggles and rubber gloves
Rubber gloves will protect your skin from harmful cleaning agents during the watch cleaning process. Additionally, wearing safety goggles is crucial to prevent any cleaning agents from splashing into your eyes.
Microfiber polishing cloth
Microfiber cloths are soft and highly absorbent, making them suitable for cleaning and polishing tasks. They help prevent scratches while providing efficient cleaning.
Polishing compound or watch polishing paste
If you’re looking for more than just cleaning, using a dedicated polishing compound or watch polishing paste can help remove scratches and restore the watch’s shine. Make sure to choose a product suitable for your watch’s material.
Lathe or polishing wheel
Using a lathe or polishing wheel can speed up the polishing process by friction against the watch strap’s surface.
How to Properly Remove a Watch Strap
Watch straps are typically connected to the watch case using spring bars or pins. You can remove the strap by following these steps:
- Place the watch face down on a soft surface to avoid scratching the watch’s front.
- Use a spring bar tool or a small screwdriver to compress the spring bar or pin. This will release the tension and allow you to slide the spring bar out of the lugs on the watch case.
- Once one end of the strap is free, repeat the process on the other side to completely remove the strap from the watch.
It’s a good practice to separate the watch strap into individual links for easier cleaning and polishing.
Simple Ways to Polish a Metal Watch Strap
- Toothpaste Method:
Step 1: Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a soft cloth and rub it evenly onto the strap and watch face you want to clean.
Step 2: After 2 – 5 minutes from applying toothpaste, use a soft cloth to wipe off the paste, cleaning the watch thoroughly.
- Baking Soda Method:
Step 1: First, mix baking soda with warm water in a 1:10 ratio.
Step 2: Use a clean and soft cloth dampened with the baking soda mixture to wipe the strap and watch face.
Step 3: Afterward, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the watch surface clean.
- Dish Soap Solution Method:
Step 1: Prepare a dish soap solution by mixing dish soap with warm water in a 1:15 ratio. Create a foamy mixture.
Step 2: Use a soft-bristle brush dipped into the soapy water mixture to gently clean the watch.
Step 3: Rinse the watch with water, taking care not to let water seep into the watch’s internals.
Step 4: Dry the watch with a soft cloth.
- Sandpaper Method for Polishing the Watch Crystal:
Step 1: Wet a piece of 1500-grit sandpaper with a few drops of water.
Step 2: Use the damp sandpaper to gently rub the area you want to polish on the watch.
Step 3: Finish by wiping the watch clean with a dry, soft cloth.
- Using Brasso Metal Polish:
Step 1: Take a small amount of Brasso metal polish and apply it to a small bowl. Soak a soft cloth in the polish.
Step 2: Gently rub the cloth over the watch, going in various directions to ensure thorough cleaning.
Step 3: Finally, wipe off any remaining polish with a different soft cloth.
Tips to Prevent Scratches on a Metal Watch Strap
Wear your watch on the non-dominant hand to minimize scratches caused by frequent hand movement.
When storing your watch, lay it flat or on a soft fabric surface. If possible, invest in a watch box to provide better protection for your watch.
Properly maintaining and polishing your metal watch strap will help keep it looking new and extend its lifespan.
