- 9/12/18
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I recently purchased a 44mm FC here in the m2m section. Easy and perfect transaction and the watch arrived exactly as described. I wasn't sure about the FC but wanted to buy one to see if I liked it or not. I was a little disappointed with the dull finish of the carbon fiber case when it arrived compared with pictures of the gen that I had seen so I did some research on polishing.
The only threads I could find with tutorials went the route of disassembling the watch, which I am not capable of doing. I'm quite handy with the masking tape and dremel so I just went for it... The only thing I removed were the plots & strap, then carefully masked around the bezel gasket, case back and pusher housings with good quality tape. I then used a 3 stage process starting with automotive compound followed by a cleaner polish and finished with high quality carnuba wax - all applied with my dremel polishing wheel set to speed 5. A cleaning with light soap followed by a final canuba layer buffed to high gloss finished the job in less than an hour.
I also read posts that stated the JF FC finish was 'good enough' and polishing is not necessary, which I do not agree with. This REALLY wakes up the carbon...! The patterns & textures really pop and the colours are much more variated. I highly recommend giving it a try - I had no issues with just masking the watch to protect - obviously be very careful with the dremmel!
Here's a before picture from the seller's ad:
And the after shots:
Here are the polishing products used - left to right - 1. 3M Rubbing Compound 2. Menzerma Fine Grit Polishing Compound 3. P21S Carnuba Wax:
Rustoleum automotive masking tape carefully applied - ensuring to fully cover the bezel and case back gaskets. As mentioned above, plots & straps were removed also to help access:
Here are the Dremel bits - the pads on the left for applying, the grey bit on the right for buffing after stage 2 (Menzerma). Stage 1 (3M compound) took roughly 15 minutes with the Dremel set to speed 5, I then removed the compound thoroughly using a microfiber cloth. Stage 2 application took roughly 10 minutes with the Dremel at the same speed, I then buffed the case using the grey bit with the Dremel set to 4. Stage 3 - the P21S was applied by hand generously, I then carefully washed the watch with a wet/mild soapy microfiber and then dried it thoroughly before applying another coat of P21S. Final buff with a clean microfiber. You will also need to clean out the plot bar holes - I used a tooth pick & paper towel.
The only threads I could find with tutorials went the route of disassembling the watch, which I am not capable of doing. I'm quite handy with the masking tape and dremel so I just went for it... The only thing I removed were the plots & strap, then carefully masked around the bezel gasket, case back and pusher housings with good quality tape. I then used a 3 stage process starting with automotive compound followed by a cleaner polish and finished with high quality carnuba wax - all applied with my dremel polishing wheel set to speed 5. A cleaning with light soap followed by a final canuba layer buffed to high gloss finished the job in less than an hour.
I also read posts that stated the JF FC finish was 'good enough' and polishing is not necessary, which I do not agree with. This REALLY wakes up the carbon...! The patterns & textures really pop and the colours are much more variated. I highly recommend giving it a try - I had no issues with just masking the watch to protect - obviously be very careful with the dremmel!
Here's a before picture from the seller's ad:
And the after shots:
Here are the polishing products used - left to right - 1. 3M Rubbing Compound 2. Menzerma Fine Grit Polishing Compound 3. P21S Carnuba Wax:
Rustoleum automotive masking tape carefully applied - ensuring to fully cover the bezel and case back gaskets. As mentioned above, plots & straps were removed also to help access:
Here are the Dremel bits - the pads on the left for applying, the grey bit on the right for buffing after stage 2 (Menzerma). Stage 1 (3M compound) took roughly 15 minutes with the Dremel set to speed 5, I then removed the compound thoroughly using a microfiber cloth. Stage 2 application took roughly 10 minutes with the Dremel at the same speed, I then buffed the case using the grey bit with the Dremel set to 4. Stage 3 - the P21S was applied by hand generously, I then carefully washed the watch with a wet/mild soapy microfiber and then dried it thoroughly before applying another coat of P21S. Final buff with a clean microfiber. You will also need to clean out the plot bar holes - I used a tooth pick & paper towel.
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