Flat dial reluming: first attempt

[Wiz]

This week I finally started working on my first flat dial. It came from a cheapo Chrono Avenger I got from another member.

The original markers were quite weird. Instead of just having a drop of lume on a layer of white paint, like we usually see on these kinds of watches, here there were some little spheres glued to the dial.

These spheres were so thick I couldn't just apply a layer of lume over them.
I had to remove them, and honnestly, I couldn't find a clean way to do it. Result is that the surface is not the cleanest. I'll have to use some black mat paint to do some touches-up.

Here is the progress so far. It still need to apply the last layer on the other markers and to do the paint touches-up.

I also added a comparaison shot with my gen seawolf avenger. What do you think?

 

[tommy_boy]

Looks good, Wiz.

Dumb question: why did you have to remove the markers first? What was it about their size that forced that issue?

I have a couple of dials that I want to mess up one day...

 

[Wiz]

With the extra lume it might have been too thick for the minute hand to pass over the markers, and I don't wanted to apply a layer of lume so thin the difference would have been barely noticable.

Note that the markers were not metal markers like rolex's, only small spheres made of watch material.

But so far the result is not soooo bad. Of course under a loupe it's a mess, but with the naked eye, even if staring, it's quite ok.

 

[tommy_boy]

With the extra lume it might have been too thick for the minute hand to pass over the markers, and I don't wanted to apply a layer of lume so thin the difference would have been barely noticable.

Got it. So what method did you use to make them smaller before you applied lume?

Thanks!

 

[Wiz]

Got it. So what method did you use to make them smaller before you applied lume?

Thanks!

When it's glued, there is not much you can do. I couldn't heat the dial as it is plastic, so I used the "take a screw driver and blow it up" method

 

[tommy_boy]

hehehe. You have some courage, Wiz!

I will start with a sandwich dial and work my way up!

Thanks.

 

[Wiz]

Panerai's sandwich dial is easy. It's big

Just be carefull not to make the lume too thick. Usually 2 thin layers will be enough (I insist on the thin layer thing). First layer you can use very bright (but greenish) pigments, like watchlume's Gmax, and for the second layer, less bright (but whiter) pigments, like watchlume's WG.

Also, make sure to let the lume set for 6-10 hours before replacing the top plate.
Last tip, if you want a sandwich dial that glows like a torch, just spray the base plate with white paint. The difference will be HUGE

And if you ever want to work on smaller elements, you should really consider getting good binoculars. I bought these ones used for about 350 euros, but it makes life much more easier it's sure worth every peny

 

[tommy_boy]

More rep points for Wiz!

Thanks!

 

[Wiz]

lol, not sure I deserve it