Diy Waterproofing

[gbxx]

you seem to be pretty suave on the leak detection, i was wondering how a HEV effects that......

say you have a leak.....the watch pressurizes, dunk and decomp, the air come back out....through the HEV or through the weak point ?

Dave, short answer, I don't know on the HEV valve. Does the watch in question have two leaks? Air would take the path of least resistance... i assume.

In theory, if the HEV valve was an air leak, it would allow the inside pressure to equalize with outside pressure. So theoretically, it would also allow air to escape to attempt equalization.

In practical experience, when I had a crystal gasket leak in a TC (after my own work), I did see some evidence of the leak after pulling the watch. Water did not touch the dial or movement. I pulled the movement out and retested with the case only. Left it under water longer and confirmed my suspicions.

It wouldn't hurt to pull the movement and test the case only if you are unsure. It can be somewhat difficult to differentiate a leak from residual trapped air under the bezel assembly (which was my issue). If you can pull the bezel ring or wait to install it, a leak will be easier to detect.

 

[Raddave]

Dave, short answer, I don't know on the HEV valve. Does the watch in question have two leaks? Air would take the path of least resistance... i assume.

In theory, if the HEV valve was an air leak, it would allow the inside pressure to equalize with outside pressure. So theoretically, it would also allow air to escape to attempt equalization.

In practical experience, when I had a crystal gasket leak in a TC (after my own work), I did see some evidence of the leak after pulling the watch. Water did not touch the dial or movement. I pulled the movement out and retested with the case only. Left it under water longer and confirmed my suspicions.

It wouldn't hurt to pull the movement and test the case only if you are unsure. It can be somewhat difficult to differentiate a leak from residual trapped air under the bezel assembly (which was my issue). If you can pull the bezel ring or wait to install it, a leak will be easier to detect.

Interesting.......reppage coming your way...

 

[gbxx]

I agree, I've been looking at making something similar. I have thought about putting the watch into a garden sprayer and pressurising that way, I can leave it in for a bit and then just put straight into water and look for bubbles, just need to somehow fit a guage.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

Hmm.. I don't think the garden sprayer bottle would hold pressure. I've seen some people use a nalgene bottle, but again, I don't think it's safe with a nalgene bottle.

The important part of the process is to reduce the pressure directly after submerging the watch. So the watch is suspended in the air, pressure is increased to ~40psi and time has passed (5 minutes to 30 minutes depending on your patience). When you return to the project, use a tire pressure gauge to confirm the vessel has not lost pressure, then submerge the watch, release some of the pressure and view for leaks... release a little more pressure and continue to look for leaks, continue releasing pressure while looking for leaks... bring the watch back out of the water, dry it off and move forward..

whatever you do, don't release all the pressure at once in the vessel while the watch is submerged. If the watch has a leak and experiences a sudden depressurization, it could blow the crystal off and quickly fill the watch with water.

 

[Spades]

Maybe a dumb question, but how hard is this to do as far as precision. I have a slight tremor in my hands, but want to try and do this myself a couple times a year after reading the other DIY. I'm very handy on larger things (Diesel tech, shop owner for 15 years) but I get a little worried about the precision aspect. I doubt I could do hands/Dial type stuff, but the stem doesn't seem to hard after reading a few threads. I do know that I am good with removing the case back lol.

 

[b.hargrave]

Maybe a dumb question, but how hard is this to do as far as precision. I have a slight tremor in my hands, but want to try and do this myself a couple times a year after reading the other DIY. I'm very handy on larger things (Diesel tech, shop owner for 15 years) but I get a little worried about the precision aspect. I doubt I could do hands/Dial type stuff, but the stem doesn't seem to hard after reading a few threads. I do know that I am good with removing the case back lol.

On mine the stem was easy, I used a small flat screwdriver that was slightly larger than the release button, that way I couldn't push it down too far to do any damage. I think you'll be fine

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

 

[yodog]

When reps leak, they usually leak from the crystal gasket, not the caseback or crown. screw down crowns leak very rarely.

 

[Miskatonic]

Seems like a decent idea, considering the price. I'm sure a bottle of that grease will last an entire lifetime of waterproofing reps haha. I'm curious though, what do these mall kiosks charge for pressure tests on average? I've never gone to one, the thought of a 17 year old kid from some unidentifiable foreign country working on my watches has always made me nervous, not sure why.