METAL DIAL FACE CLEANER?????

[jimbob2154]

:confused:I have a problem!!! I have looked thru old posts and I find all kinds of cleaners and cleaning methods for metal parts and enamel or ceramic dial faces, but none for metal dials. I have both of the other that work great, but nothing for metal dials.
I have two dials:
(1) Illinois - 12s double sunk that is silver COLORED (I do not know the metal content). All markings and numbering are in black. The sunken part in the middle has a circular pattern in it like a target with a bullseye. The sunken part around the second hand has a rough, textured type surface. The remaining part on the outside is just slick metal. But, the complete dial has a dark, dirty, rough feeling patina build up on it. I have tried just a little warm water and rag and rubbing, but it does nothing at all. I have some metal cleaner for chrome bumpers and I tried just a very small spot to see what it would do. It didn't clean very much at all, but it also started to take off the paint of the number I was cleaning next to.
(2) Hamilton 12s double sunk that is gold COLORED (again, I do not know the metal content) The sunken area around the middle has a very rough, moire type, texture/design to it. The sunken area around the second hand has the circular bullseye pattern. The outer edge has a slick, smooth finish. This dial has the same type of dirty crud covering it. Warm water and soap and rags and rubbing did nothing but clean the smooth part a very little, but it took very much rubbing. It would have taken the numbers off if I had been rubbing over them.
SO, I need some suggestions as to what I might be able to clean these with that will not take the paint off. All responses will be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!
Thanks, jimbob (:{

[jimbob2154]

:confused:I have a problem!!! I have looked thru old posts and I find all kinds of cleaners and cleaning methods for metal parts and enamel or ceramic dial faces, but none for metal dials. I have both of the other that work great, but nothing for metal dials.
I have two dials:
(1) Illinois - 12s double sunk that is silver COLORED (I do not know the metal content). All markings and numbering are in black. The sunken part in the middle has a circular pattern in it like a target with a bullseye. The sunken part around the second hand has a rough, textured type surface. The remaining part on the outside is just slick metal. But, the complete dial has a dark, dirty, rough feeling patina build up on it. I have tried just a little warm water and rag and rubbing, but it does nothing at all. I have some metal cleaner for chrome bumpers and I tried just a very small spot to see what it would do. It didn't clean very much at all, but it also started to take off the paint of the number I was cleaning next to.
(2) Hamilton 12s double sunk that is gold COLORED (again, I do not know the metal content) The sunken area around the middle has a very rough, moire type, texture/design to it. The sunken area around the second hand has the circular bullseye pattern. The outer edge has a slick, smooth finish. This dial has the same type of dirty crud covering it. Warm water and soap and rags and rubbing did nothing but clean the smooth part a very little, but it took very much rubbing. It would have taken the numbers off if I had been rubbing over them.
SO, I need some suggestions as to what I might be able to clean these with that will not take the paint off. All responses will be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!
Thanks, jimbob (:{

[pocwatjim]

Jimbob,

You are going to be disappointed with the answer to your long post and question. You almost answered your own question when you said said the numbers almost rubbed off.

The simple fact is this. If you mess with a metal dial in almost anyway you will wish that you hadn't touched it. Because these dials had the number tract applied with a dye stamp for the pattern and nothing to protect it, there is no way to clean them. Porcelain dials have the dye baked on with a thick layer of glass and will last indefinitely unless broken or cracked, but the poor metal dial is out there all by itself.

There are several dial companies that do good refinisning work so if the watch is worth it you can have a new refinished dial for less than $40.

[Tom McIntyre]

I have not tried this, but a friend swears that a very brief dip in Tarnex followed immediately by a rinse in fresh water will do wonders for metal dials.

An old Waltham dial catalog suggests washing the lacquered metal dials in ice cold mild soap solution. I think that is for dials that don't need much. It won't do anything for a discolored dial, only a dirty one.

I have never seen a refinished dial that I liked very much. I would prefer the discolored metal dial.

[jimbob2154]

Thanks for the info!! I'll probably just leave them the way they are. Maybe I can come across a replacement like them in better shape. I just don't want to take a chance of messing them up any more than just being "dirty", even though it makes them hard to see unless you have the light on them just right.
Thanks again, jimbob (:{

[pocwatjim]

jimbob,

The problem with Tom's suggestion is that over time the lacquered finish evaporates. You would be washing a raw dial and that would be hard on the inked numerals.

If you don't want to have them redone, you can find replacements easier than looking for porcelain dials.

If you want to try the Tarnex method get Tom to furnish you a nice dial to see how it works!

[jimbob2154]

:biggrin: Yeah!!! That's a great idea!! How about it Tom? I'll supply the Tarnex if you'll supply the dial. Just send it right on to me and I'll give it about a fifteen minute soak and then post the results right here so everyone will know!! I'm ready if you are!! :wink: jimbob (:{

[Tom McIntyre]

Just to be really clear, 10 or 15 seconds in Tranex is a very long time. :wink:

When I get a chance, I will process a few and show them. I don't have many metal dial watches, but I have a lot of junk metal dials lying around.

[jimbob2154]

Thanks Tom, I was just "yanking your pocket watch chain" :biggrin: on that last post!! But, seriously, I would be interested in the results you get when you try the old dials. I don't have any old dials yet to try it on, so please let me know the outcome when you try it.
Thanks again, jimbob (:{

[Paul FM TX]

Hi folks:

Take heed from a sad one who has been there. I had posted this in electric clocks but it applies here too. I have a Junghans ATO battery clock. It (was) in very good condition. I tried to clean it up using just soap and warm water. The soap(?) I happened to use was Dawndishwashing liquid. Before I realized it the black time track, Junghans logo, and gold colored background began to dissolve. Some of the raised numbers fell off (one of which I never did find). So, I have a great working clock with a badly scarred face. :mad: A dumb newbie mistake for sure.

Jim Haney, can you direct me to a dial restorer? Will they do clocks as well as watches?

BTW... I have a collection of pocket & wrist watches that I will be seeking help on now that I have gotten the 15 or so clocks in good order.

Thanks:

Paul
Dallas, TX

[pocwatjim]

Paul,
You need to update your profile to include your email address.

Try Kirk Dial @ 412-261-2452. Also, Medlock Dial & International Dial.