Buffing and polishing with a Dremel rotary tool

[Maximillian]

Is anyone using a Dremel rotary tool (brands don't matter) to buffing and polishing your watch case and bracelet? What kind of rotary head are you using for the mirror finishing? Wool, cotton or foam? And what kind of polishing compound are you using? Green or white?

I have a problem achieving the final mirror-like effect, always leave some very light lines on the SS bracelet surface. I use wool heads, green compound with 5000rpm but always comes back with some very light lines on it. Any idea what did I do wrong? Thank you in advance.

 

[KJ2020]

Is anyone using a Dremel rotary tool (brands don't matter) to buffing and polishing your watch case and bracelet? What kind of rotary head are you using for the mirror finishing? Wool, cotton or foam? And what kind of polishing compound are you using? Green or white?

I have a problem achieving the final mirror-like effect, always leave some very light lines on the SS bracelet surface. I use wool heads, green compound with 5000rpm but always comes back with some very light lines on it. Any idea what did I do wrong? Thank you in advance.

Cotton layer heads bro and Polinum is the magic bullet.

 

[Maximillian]

Cotton layer heads bro and Polinum is the magic bullet.

Oic! Thank you very much!

 

[asusundevils1971]

Oic! Thank you very much!

Are you working at a sex shop?.. And if you are, you must have some good stories to share...

 

[Maximillian]

Are you working at a sex shop?.. And if you are, you must have some good stories to share...

What do you mean?

 

[KJ2020]

Oic! Thank you very much!

This thread also has good info

Case and Bracelet polishing

To get near perfect finishes, you need to use some sandpaper first. Depending on how scratched up it is, you can usually start around 1500 grit. Then, 2000 3000 5000 and I always end with 7000. Then straight to Polinum on the wheels - it's awesome.

 

[asusundevils1971]

What do you mean?

In the background of your first post it looks like studded underwear and some leather on the mannequins. Not something you usually see at the local mall.

 

[SubNot]

Have you tried with the good old Cape Cod polishing cloth? It does work pretty well to remove those light scratches

 

[Maximillian]

This thread also has good info

Case and Bracelet polishing

To get near perfect finishes, you need to use some sandpaper first. Depending on how scratched up it is, you can usually start around 1500 grit. Then, 2000 3000 5000 and I always end with 7000. Then straight to Polinum on the wheels - it's awesome.

How do you get the brushed surface done? With sand paper, wheels or Scotch Brite like those who DIY?

 

[KJ2020]

https://www.amazon.com/NIUPIKA-Little-Buffing-Polishing-Mandrel/dp/B07G4GTB4P/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=8F4QSGGBO02K&keywords=dremel+cotton+layer+wheels&qid=1707848076&sprefix=%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-6

I just ordered 2 packs. These only last a little while before getting clogged up. I used to wash them out and re-use them but they are so cheap I don't bother anymore. One wheel will do a whole case or bracelet but more than that the Polinum starts getting gritty and it will actually start to create tiny scratches. Just pay attention, you'll know when a change is needed.

 

[Maximillian]

In the background of your first post it looks like studded underwear and some leather on the mannequins. Not something you usually see at the local mall.

No, a laptop wallpaper with some Korean Kpop girls' group, but I see your point and laugh for a while

 

[KJ2020]

Have you tried with the good old Cape Cod polishing cloth? It does work pretty well to remove those light scratches

Nah Cape Cod will help get you to the point of using Polinum but there's no comparison. Plus the dremel does the work and so much faster.

 

[Maximillian]

https://www.amazon.com/NIUPIKA-Little-Buffing-Polishing-Mandrel/dp/B07G4GTB4P/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=8F4QSGGBO02K&keywords=dremel+cotton+layer+wheels&qid=1707848076&sprefix=%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-6

I just ordered 2 packs. These only last a little while before getting clogged up. I used to wash them out and re-use them but they are so cheap I don't bother anymore. One wheel will do a whole case or bracelet but more than that the Polinum starts getting gritty and it will actually start to create tiny scratches. Just pay attention, you'll know when a change is needed.

Thanks for the link, this is what I am looking for.

 

[SubNot]

Nah Cape Cod will help get you to the point of using Polinum but there's no comparison. Plus the dremel does the work and so much faster.

I suppose you're right. Let's put it this way, I didn't reach yet a point in which I need to use a Dremmel tools to polish my watches haha Time will tell. That thread you linked above will come in handy sooner or later

 

[Maximillian]

Have you tried with the good old Cape Cod polishing cloth? It does work pretty well to remove those light scratches

Yes, I've tried that too, just can't get rid of those stubborn light lines...

 

[winterrose]

As said above, cotton wheels on dremel is the thing to do. I use as paste a metal polishing cream you can get from every hardwear store, it will get you a mirror like polishing.

 

[Maximillian]

In the background of your first post it looks like studded underwear and some leather on the mannequins. Not something you usually see at the local mall.

In case you wondered:

 

[KJ2020]

How do you get the brushed surface done? With sand paper, wheels or Scotch Brite like those who DIY?

It depends on how bad they are. I use Scotchbrite if it will take out the minor scratches. If not, sandpaper first. 600 grit first then up or down in grit as needed. Finish with Scotchbrite. Ofc tape up the center links, then you can brush freely. I've gotten to where I can do it evenly freehand. Another technique is to drag the bracelet across sandpaper flat on a bench.

 

[Maximillian]

It depends on how bad they are. I use Scotchbrite if it will take out the minor scratches. If not, sandpaper first. 600 grit first then up or down in grit as needed. Finish with Scotchbrite. Ofc tape up the center links, then you can brush freely. I've gotten to where I can do it evenly freehand. Another technique is to drag the bracelet across sandpaper flat on a bench.

I have 600 grit sandpaper, but hard to find anything over 3000 grit here.

 

[domiffm]

For mirror polishing I also use the lathe machine with cotton wheel and Bergeon white polish compound with good results.

However, to achieve the almost perfect mirror polish I get the best results by using Cape Cod mounted on a Dremel piece.