What's causing this discoloration? Rose gold

[COLDI]

I never swim with it, let alone get it wet. It's almost like the gold has come off, but I'm baffled

 

[Tobel]

Could be your sweat

 

[promax01]

Very interested. I like to get gold plated watch, but afraid the gold will come off too. How long you have this watch for? Is it your everyday watch? And did you clean the watch every each use?

 

[johnlogan]

Replace bracelet

 

[p0pperini]

It looks like oxidisation to me - which is pretty common on any "gold" plating.

I found that very light machine oil does a perfect job of removing it, using a soft cloth (like a lens cloth or similar).

 

[COLDI]

What kind of oil do you recommend?

 

[muiramas]

WD40 - it’s a miracle cure for most things.

 

[COLDI]

Tried wd40 with a small micro fiber pad and it didn't work. Any other ideas?

 

[diamonds]

Tried wd40 with a small micro fiber pad and it didn't work. Any other ideas?

It seems to have passed the point of no return. Buying a "gold" plated rep always comes with the possibility that the plating will tarnish, discolor, or start peeling off.

Your options now are to spend big money to have it replated with real gold (quite a process: find a modder, shipping out $, watch taken apart, replated, put back together, pay for the service $$, return shipped $) or sell at a big loss and let the next owner replate it... cause you'll more than likely never wear it again in it's current condition.

I know it's a bummer, but consider it a learning experience. Buying "gold" plated reps are always a risky purchase.

 

[p0pperini]

What kind of oil do you recommend?

I used WD-40 "Specialist Cutting Oil" - it's the stuff I use when drilling out lugs.

 

[Mr_Shelby]

Just to know, what factory is?

I have had a 116613 from ARF and plating held up pretty well.
Had same problem as yours whit a noob daytona 4130 in Rose Gold (unfortunatelly i do not have pics and watch anymore) but oxydation was exactly the same!

 

[Crazynoob]

This is why I avoid buying gold plate jewellery for this reason if it's not real gold I don't bother haha

 

[COLDI]

I think it's noob ICHS. May just have to find another bracelet. I wear this once a month, if that since I'm normally a Pam guy

 

[pistebasher]

Sadly the Noob gold plating is very poor. Other factories seem to use a much higher grade. I've had great experiences with ZF gold plating. Still looks like new after more than 2 years on my JLC Master Ultra Thin moonphase.

 

[Slugger]

I've had good luck with a light wipe with a Cape Cod Cloth.

But take care. Let the chemicals in the cloth do their magic on the oxidation. Do not rub significantly.

 

[chocolito]

I never swim with it, let alone get it wet. It's almost like the gold has come off, but I'm baffled

There isn't a problem getting gold plate wet it's a fallacy .The best way to clean gold plate is with warm water and a mild hand soap , then rinse off with warm water and thoroughly dry . The gold plate oxidises or changes colour through sweat , the chemicals in skin lotions etc , or from the effects of perfumes . The best way to care for gold plate is to gently wash with a mild hand soap and dry after every wear to prevent this oxidisation . I definitely wouldn't put anywhere near a Cape Cod cloth . You could try warm water and soap , or remove the bracelet and try a 'baking soda bath' . To do this get a sheet of what Brits call 'tin foil' or 'aluminium foil ' the stuff you use for baking , and line a suitable bowl . Then add warm water , and large spoon of baking soda , then stir it to agitate the baking soda . Then place the bracelet in for 10 minutes , and the chemical process in the bath should lift the sulphur from the gold plate which causes the oxidisation . It could all be in vain ,due to the gold plate being contaminated in the plating process . When plating stainless steel you have to apply a nickel based activating solution to the steel prior to gold plating

I never swim with it, let alone get it wet. It's almost like the gold has come off, but I'm baffled

So it's a total fallacy that you shouldn't get a gold plated watch wet ! You shouldn't swim in sea with it , or in a chlorinated pool definitely ! However the way you SHOULD clean gold plate is with warm water and a mild hand soap , then dry thoroughly with a soft cloth . There are two ways gold plate discolours enviromental conditions , and poor application of the plating ( or both ) . Enviromentally oils in your skin , chemicals in lotions you use , hair products on hands, perfumes/aftershaves can oxidise the gold plate .As can harsh cleaning chemicals, degreasers like washing up liquid , also as above contact with salt , chlorine etc . After every days wear you should at least wipe the watch over with a soft microfibre cloth to get rid any thing that could of got on the surface of the watch . Even better is to give it a light clean with warm water , and soap then dry as above . It may seem extreme to do that every day , but there no need to saturate the watch . You can apply soapy water with a cotton bud , then dry with a microfibre cloth . Though it's pretty easy to soap up your hands , then soap up the bracelet , rinse under a warm tap , and dry .As far poor application that is a much bigger problem ! The steel has to be very clean and smooth prior to plating , and needs to have a nickel based activation fluid applied for the plate to adhere .If this is done poorly dirt or nickel can contaminate the gold plate and begin to show through .It can also contaminate the copper in the ROSE gold plate which will then verdigris and discolour ( yellow is the only naturally occuring colour of gold, rose gold has copper added to it which gives the metal it's rose colour) .
You could firstly remove the bracelet and give a good clean in a bowl warm soapy water , then dry . This might get the discolouration off , but looking at the watch i doubt if it will .The second method is to give it a baking soda bath . To do this line a bowl with tin foil ( aluminium foil) used for baking , fill with warm water ( not too deep enough to cover the watch and agitate the baking soda) , add a large spoon of baking soda , and stir to agitate . Then place the bracelet in bowl for 10 minutes , and the chemical process going on in the bowl should pull the surface discolourisation from the bracelet which is sulphur, and attract it to the foil which will go black . Then clean with soapy water , and thoroughly dry . If neither of these methods work , then the plate is as i supect contaminated and beyond home cleaning . I guess then you'll need to stick on a Rubber B or source a new replacement bracelet .

 

[chocolito]

Sorry for double post , best to read the second post if interested it is complete . Finally definitely DON't use a CAPE COD cloth on it .GOOD LUCK !

 

[peterpl]

This is why I never buy any gold rep. This has also happened to me numerous times.

Buy SS reps and if you really desire gold just save up for a gen. It will never feel the same wearing a gold plated watch anyway no matter what you do.

 

[pistebasher]

Also worth noting that solid gold watches discolour and oxidise as well, requiring cleaning.

 

[pompompurin]

To remove oxidation from my gold plated watch, I use extremely tiny amount of autosol, battery-powered dremel for plastic/ model making, and a felt dremel bit.