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My (Novel?) Bracelet Lubrication Method
- Thread starter bechtolb
- Start date
Haha! I will say, it does take a decent amount of mixing. With one being so thin and the other being so viscous, they don't want to mix easily. I use a popsicle stick, and it takes some vigorous mixing for maybe a minute or two to get them to a homogeneous mixture.
I'm so happy this is getting so much engagement and that others are trying it as well. I'm sure as more people try this, we'll work out the bugs together
In the photos I've posted, that's almost the full tube of grease, but not the whole thing. I'm pretty careful to squeeze as much excess off the bracelet back into the container, and I have been able to lubricate maybe 3 bracelets before needing to add more. But if you're planning on doing more than a couple bracelets, or more importantly, if you're using a larger container, probably a good idea to get more than one tube. My container is just big enough for the bracelet, so I'm able to submerge it with a relatively small volume. If your container is longer/wider, you'll need more to fully submerge it.
- 5/4/24
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I found the smallest glass container at the Container Store. I also went with the 2qt versus 1.2qt Vacuum chamber, just in case I find other issues for it.
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Dude, what you have discovered with this method is seriously a big step forward in the bracelet improvement department!Haha! I will say, it does take a decent amount of mixing. With one being so thin and the other being so viscous, they don't want to mix easily. I use a popsicle stick, and it takes some vigorous mixing for maybe a minute or two to get them to a homogeneous mixture.
I'm so happy this is getting so much engagement and that others are trying it as well. I'm sure as more people try this, we'll work out the bugs together
This doesn't apply for plated bracelets, but if you get some sandpaper (I haven't really discovered what the best grit to use is yet) and refinish the bracelet, clean it very well, and then do this method, it just totally transforms the cheap feeling!!!
I am so glad I found this information you put so much effort into!
My wife came home Saturday afternoon to find me in our bathroom with a vacuum pump, disassembled watches, and mixing a (unknown to her) substance together, all she could say is, "what the fu*k are you doing right now?"
I just laughed and said "science, kind of!"
I found that mixing the silicone grease and 99% alcohol works best if added to a mason jar and shake for a few seconds. That way you can add the alcohol as needed to get the viscosity that you desire and it mixes very well. When done, just pour what you need into the vacuum jar. The food vacuum works just fine.
I plan to use this procedure on a brand new VSF Submariner.
Do you recommend to use this procedure directly after unwrapping the bracelet or would you recommend to clean the bracelet in a ultrasonic cleaner first?
Thanks for your recommendation!
Do you recommend to use this procedure directly after unwrapping the bracelet or would you recommend to clean the bracelet in a ultrasonic cleaner first?
Thanks for your recommendation!
Like this !
Take of my hat @bechtolb, this is what make this community outstanding.
Thanks for sharing ...
Just given this a go here in the UK with my VSF Sub and VSF Seamaster 300. I removed both bracelets from the watch, and also took the clasps off.
I gave both an 5 minutes ultrasonic bath with warm water and a small amount of washing up liquid first, then patted dry with kitchen towels.
I then mixed 100g of pure Silicone grease with 99.9% Isopropanol exactly as described by @bechtolb, before submerging the bracelet parts.
I pulled a vacuum in my chamber, achieved around -0.8bar. Bubbling as described, held for 5 minutes then re-pressurised. Repeated a few times to make sure every nook and cranny was soaked!
Pulled out, squeezed off as much as possible and then set about it with toilet paper - lots needed! Left them to dry out in my utility room near my boiler, as house is a bit chilly at the moment.
Bracelets feel great already, can't wait to inspect tomorrow. I don't have gens to compare to, but I can feel the difference already when comparing to spare links I have left from both bracelets. Feels much more premium, silky smooth.
Massive thanks to @bechtolb for sharing. For those in the UK, these are the products I used to achieve this!
Grease: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01M8MBEV4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Isopropanol: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BMQTBVZH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Vacuum pump and chamber: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CC22N66J/ref=twister_B0CWV8VKL5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I gave both an 5 minutes ultrasonic bath with warm water and a small amount of washing up liquid first, then patted dry with kitchen towels.
I then mixed 100g of pure Silicone grease with 99.9% Isopropanol exactly as described by @bechtolb, before submerging the bracelet parts.
I pulled a vacuum in my chamber, achieved around -0.8bar. Bubbling as described, held for 5 minutes then re-pressurised. Repeated a few times to make sure every nook and cranny was soaked!
Pulled out, squeezed off as much as possible and then set about it with toilet paper - lots needed! Left them to dry out in my utility room near my boiler, as house is a bit chilly at the moment.
Bracelets feel great already, can't wait to inspect tomorrow. I don't have gens to compare to, but I can feel the difference already when comparing to spare links I have left from both bracelets. Feels much more premium, silky smooth.
Massive thanks to @bechtolb for sharing. For those in the UK, these are the products I used to achieve this!
Grease: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01M8MBEV4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Isopropanol: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BMQTBVZH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Vacuum pump and chamber: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CC22N66J/ref=twister_B0CWV8VKL5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I'll have to give this a shot. I am not going to buy a pump just for this, however. I have two options:
1. Use a Zwilling vacuum pump meant for food. This would require no DIYing, and because I can use a quite small container would be economical in terms of grease required. Unsure how many bar this can generate, that's the stitch.
2. Use a cheap handpump I have for sucking brake fluid etc. this can definitely generate more pressure than necessary but would require drilling a hole into a cheap tupperware's lid and fixing the tube with silicone to make a good seal.
I also don't have an ultrasonic. I bought a mini one from Temu a while ago and returned it because those mini ones are a scam. I can get a cheap one for less than £50, but unsure of the size. What size is appropriate to pass it off the OH as a gift so she can clean her jewellery?
1. Use a Zwilling vacuum pump meant for food. This would require no DIYing, and because I can use a quite small container would be economical in terms of grease required. Unsure how many bar this can generate, that's the stitch.
2. Use a cheap handpump I have for sucking brake fluid etc. this can definitely generate more pressure than necessary but would require drilling a hole into a cheap tupperware's lid and fixing the tube with silicone to make a good seal.
I also don't have an ultrasonic. I bought a mini one from Temu a while ago and returned it because those mini ones are a scam. I can get a cheap one for less than £50, but unsure of the size. What size is appropriate to pass it off the OH as a gift so she can clean her jewellery?
This is the ultrasonic I have! Often goes on sale, IIRC picked it up for £45. Used it for loads of things - cleaning bike chains, jewellery, coffee machine parts etc. think of it as a household cleaning investmentI'll have to give this a shot. I am not going to buy a pump just for this, however. I have two options:
1. Use a Zwilling vacuum pump meant for food. This would require no DIYing, and because I can use a quite small container would be economical in terms of grease required. Unsure how many bar this can generate, that's the stitch.
2. Use a cheap handpump I have for sucking brake fluid etc. this can definitely generate more pressure than necessary but would require drilling a hole into a cheap tupperware's lid and fixing the tube with silicone to make a good seal.
I also don't have an ultrasonic. I bought a mini one from Temu a while ago and returned it because those mini ones are a scam. I can get a cheap one for less than £50, but unsure of the size. What size is appropriate to pass it off the OH as a gift so she can clean her jewellery?
I’d go for option 2 above - you’re gonna have to basically write off a Tupperware either way…. Just some silicone required!
https://amzn.eu/d/h9Txz8U forgot link ffsThis is the ultrasonic I have! Often goes on sale, IIRC picked it up for £45. Used it for loads of things - cleaning bike chains, jewellery, coffee machine parts etc. think of it as a household cleaning investment
I’d go for option 2 above - you’re gonna have to basically write off a Tupperware either way…. Just some silicone required!
Great write up and love the ingenuity. I have most of the items required so will try this very soon on my newly acquired VSF Seamaster. The bracelet is the only gripe on have on this beauty the links on the bracelet have so much friction and the clanky sound drives me nuts. One question, the this clasp, it has the diver extension and also the micro push button extension inside the clasp and these feautres have some clankyness to them too. I noticed you guys take off the clasps. Any reason we can leave them in to to get the magic treatment?? Thanks in advance for the info.
Good question - I’ll be honest, I can’t think why it would be a problem. I’d don’t purely because I don’t have the issues you describe with my clasps.
I’d still take the clasp off the bracelet though - it will make it easier to submerge it in the grease if nothing else.
If you do go for it can you report back?
I’d still take the clasp off the bracelet though - it will make it easier to submerge it in the grease if nothing else.
If you do go for it can you report back?
Just did my Seamaster and boy what a difference. Everything went just as described by OP. Silky smooth. I did the clasp too and it worked fine although it seems to need way more cleaning as a lot more residual grease remains.