The pilworx Penultimate Platinumizing Procedure

[JellyJoe]

Rep Points for pil the obsessive maniac.
Greatest ceramic paintjob I have come across.
Good on ya mate

 

[guru]

great modd, thx for sharing
will use it on my GMT II and Sub

 

[zokim]

Mine should cure by tonight and I will be removing the excess. Will update with pics

 

[Bronzy]

My hat is off to you sir. Fantastic contribution to our community!

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[zokim]

Finished with my mod:

View attachment 8339

 

[Mendota]

The Noob factory must have changed the manufacturing process for these inserts, because my Noob GMTIIc V2 has sparkly platinum paint not white paint. It actually looks very gen-like when I hold it in sunlight, as the color changes as you turn the watch around. The problem is the size of the numbers. They are too thin.

I always thought if I replaced the insert with a newer one it would solve the size problem. Now it sounds like I would be trading the size problem for the color problem, so I would have to perform this mod. Are all the new GMTIIc inserts white?

 

[zokim]

The Noob factory must have changed the manufacturing process for these inserts, because my Noob GMTIIc V2 has sparkly platinum paint not white paint. It actually looks very gen-like when I hold it in sunlight, as the color changes as you turn the watch around. The problem is the size of the numbers. They are too thin.

I always thought if I replaced the insert with a newer one it would solve the size problem. Now it sounds like I would be trading the size problem for the color problem, so I would have to perform this mod. Are all the new GMTIIc inserts white?

Can you post a pic?

 

[pilworx]

The Noob factory must have changed the manufacturing process for these inserts, because my Noob GMTIIc V2 has sparkly platinum paint not white paint. It actually looks very gen-like when I hold it in sunlight, as the color changes as you turn the watch around. The problem is the size of the numbers. They are too thin.

I always thought if I replaced the insert with a newer one it would solve the size problem. Now it sounds like I would be trading the size problem for the color problem, so I would have to perform this mod. Are all the new GMTIIc inserts white?

most interesting development.
how recently have you received this watch?
I've received one of the new noob hulks within the last 2 months and it had the same old off white paint.

anyone else receive any of these newly silvered noob rolex ceramic bezels?

 

[pilworx]

also want to say thanks to all the kind words from the community, thanks guys.

 

[guru]

The Noob factory must have changed the manufacturing process for these inserts, because my Noob GMTIIc V2 has sparkly platinum paint not white paint. It actually looks very gen-like when I hold it in sunlight, as the color changes as you turn the watch around. The problem is the size of the numbers. They are too thin.

I always thought if I replaced the insert with a newer one it would solve the size problem. Now it sounds like I would be trading the size problem for the color problem, so I would have to perform this mod. Are all the new GMTIIc inserts white?

any pics?

 

[Mendota]

I bought my watch in September of 2008, so it's the Noob V2. I think there has been at least one revision since I got mine, and now there is the additional factory that produces the superlume version.

I currently have the watch out being serviced but I will definitely post pics of the bezel insert once I receive it back. I always thought the color was OK with it (not perfect but OK) but the damned numbers are way too thin.

When looking at it in indoors situations the color appears steel grey, and as you move it around you can see some reflections. When you go outside with it, or look at it in brighter light, then you can see more of the rainbow effect from the sparkles shimmering. Still, when you hold the gen in your hand you can really see the sparkly effect on the gen insert. That's what I would like to produce. That and the crystal...

 

[pilworx]

very odd indeed, i've never seen any noob bezel with anything even close to metallic like properties on the engraved markings, especially one that is that old. the pPPP definitely produces very gen-like results with the full sparkle effect, look at the 12 o'clock triangle in this pic:

 

[Mendota]

Pilworx, my numbers are thinner than these. Do you think this mod would widen the numbers at all or do I need to source a replacement insert?

When you hold mine up to the light and move it around there is indeed a sparkle effect. What you see are tiny particles refracting light so there are rainbow specks that appear. Just looking at it dead on it appears a grey/silver color. I see yours appears much whiter in color.

I'll post up some pics as soon as I get it back.

 

[pilworx]

yes def, let's see some pics of your insert. take some outside in the sun.
i don't think the mod will make the numbers appear wider, perhaps a more accurate insert as far as the markings width is concerned is in order.

 

[pilworx]

I'm sooooo stoked, i just took delivery of 3 pBdad ceramic rollie pearls. i have a Shark, a DSSD and one of the new noob Hulks that these will be installed on after i do the pPPP mod. oh yeah, also got correct hour hands for the two subs.

pB has absolutely perfected a superior replication of the Rolex ceramic pearl. while not microscopically exact, it's easily 1000% better than the stock noob zit.

I'll detail the results here in this thread with some pics in the coming weeks.
:woot::woot::woot::woot:

 

[pilworx]

Domi is now offering the pPPP:

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/platinumizing-120597

sweetness...the legacy builds.

:lol2:

 

[pilworx]

after some feedback now it would appear that there are probably a few different versions of ceramic bezels out there with various types of white paint in the engravings that come stock with the watch and depending on what one has to start with there are varying degrees of success of the thin layer of silver paint staying intact over time. so adhesion of the silver paint is an issue.

i wore my GMT solid for over a month without any problem but a wider solution is required so i have come up with a sealing procedure using Testors Dullcoat. i have tested this and it works brilliantly. i could not rub the silver off with an abrasive tissue and had to actually gouge in with my fingernail to get some to come off so this will definitely provide some long lasting protection for the platinumizing.

i'm going to update the thread soon with some new pics and an explanation of the sealing procedure so please stay tuned.

 

[intheshadows]

Thanks so much for this pilworx! I think it takes a little tweaking to get the correct "thinness" to the flat steel to where it coats the white just right. Worked OK on the DSSD, and the paint seems to be rather durable without the topcoat you are talking about. That is also a good idea though as long as its not too shiny looking as it will probably blend into the black of the bezel.

 

[pilworx]

i'm just getting some new pics ready to update the mod with the sealing procedure, i've got some macros that when compared to gen are almost indistinguishable. i'm going to recommend that it definitely be done. there is no change in the look and it is significantly more durable.

 

[intheshadows]

Thanks so much for this pilworx! I think it takes a little tweaking to get the correct "thinness" to the flat steel to where it coats the white just right. Worked OK on the DSSD, and the paint seems to be rather durable without the topcoat you are talking about. That is also a good idea though as long as its not too shiny looking as it will probably blend into the black of the bezel.

Sounds promising, thanks for the update!