PCL polishing on rolex daytona clasp

[TYL88]

So, as the title says. Im trying to polish my clasp to be like new as there are desk dives on it.
The things that i have bought are:
- 5 inch bench grinder
- cotton wheel (white and yellow)
- dialux compound (green and white)
- sand paper (400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000)
- microfibre cloth
- tape to cover the brushed areas

Feel free to give me opinions as this is my first time doing it. Currently im on the sanding step. And once i have used all the sand papers im gonna hop on the cotton wheel using the green and then the white for the final finish.

(Working my way up from 600 grit. This is at 1200 grit paper, now the small dents has dissapeared)

Will update more pics soon!




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[TYL88]

At 3000 grit it looks like a normal desk dives.
I think i have to get more finer grits. But as i only have this, i will try and jump to the grinder now. Hope it ends well LOL.

To be continued...


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[KJ2020]

I recently had to do some case reshaping, sanding, and polishing to get rid of some lug dents. I started with 320 grit, ending with 2500. Your project looks like it's progressing well, only comment I would make is it looks like you are using linear swipes when sanding. I have always found it easier and faster to polish with smoother results if I use a circular sanding pattern.

 

[TYL88]

1st attempt

2nd attempt

3rd attempt

It happens to have fine lines of scratches, dont know whats going on. Anybody experienced the same thing and solved it?



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[TYL88]

Yeah, i used linear lines but different angles every 3 sheet of grit. For example 2500 grit in 3 separate paper in 3 different linear lines.

But now i machined it, it still giving me fine scratches. Any idea what i should do?


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[KJ2020]

1st attempt

2nd attempt

3rd attempt

It happens to have fine lines of scratches, dont know whats going on. Anybody experienced the same thing and solved it?



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That's what I was referring to about using a circular sanding pattern. If you do so, even at 2500 grit you will start to achieve an almost polished looking finish, even before polishing. I would re-sand at 2000 and up using circular pattern.

 

[TYL88]

I figured the scratches are from the polishing wheel. I polishing vertically and this happened.


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[TYL88]

I will try and sand it in circular motion and see how it goes.. will update soon!


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[TYL88]

That is amazing skills in fixing the dent on the lug mate. I cant even get the mirror like polishing done lol.KJ2020

 

[TYL88]

Getting ready to jump into the machinery again. Fingers crossed!


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[KJ2020]

What I'm seeing is too large a circular pattern with etchings too deep. I cut the sandpaper into about 1/8" to 1/4" strips. Then fold the strip in half, then make a bend on the fold so I have a folded L shape. This gives you good support and control to apply the tiny area of paper to the surface. Use circles about the size of a pencil eraser. Apply pressure lightly. Use a loupe and take your time to remove most of the fine scratches with the sandpaper. You can get it to look much smoother with 2500 than what I see with 3000.

 

[TYL88]

Noted on the sanding! I also found out that using the grinder must be delicate too. And finally i kinda figured it out.

It looks much better.
Before:

After:

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[padorkous]

Noted on the sanding! I also found out that using the grinder must be delicate too. And finally i kinda figured it out.

It looks much better.
Before:

After:

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Looking great dude, Is this the first time you've tried it?

 

[TYL88]

KJ2020 My first time mate! But been watching youtube for the past 5 days or so. And thanks to K for the tips and tricks.

 

[KJ2020]

Noted on the sanding! I also found out that using the grinder must be delicate too. And finally i kinda figured it out.

It looks much better.
Before:

After:

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You got it bro, on to bigger and better things! Looks marvelous!

 

[TYL88]

KJ2020 Thanks mate!

 

[Jonj480]

Hey man, Looks good! Here are a few tips I have found over time...

The dialux compounds are good, but Polinoxx and Polinium give me cleaner results.
I forgo the sandpaper and progress through various grits of polishing compounds. I actually start with the dialux green and end with Polinium
In the final steps, the speed of your wheel and the pressure you put on the object matter the most. Use light pressure at low speed to avoid micro scratches
A thorough cleaning in between each grit is critical, as is keeping your polishing wheels exclusive to a certain compound. Never mix compounds on buffs.

 

[TYL88]

Jonj480 Yeah, the master has spoken!
thanks for the input, i will definately buy some polinium. The thing with my grinder it has only 1 speed as its a cheapie lol. Its running @2950rpm. But noted, i will use green dialux and then a polinium. For the clasp above i barely touch the wheel as it scartches the clasp if i put more pressure on it.
And btw, would a foredom do the job? It is smaller and cleaner than having a grinder. My room was a mess after doing the polishing lol.

 

[Replicore]

great job I'm about to do the same thing on my 116500

 

[TYL88]

Do it! Its a fun job actually. U get happy when u finally see the scartchless clasp lol.