How do I clean pocket watch cases?

[LJballer]

Hi, I was wondering what I need to do to make my watches look like those nice ones on ebay? Especially all my silver cases!!! What tools, compounds, etc... Never done it sooooo. I was thinking a rotary tool? thanks !!!
Luke

[StanJS]

Luke,

I searched on "case cleaning" in the subject line and found the following:

http://www.nawcc-mb.com/bbv2/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=3;gtid=32745;gpid=327 47#gpid32747

and

http://www.nawcc-mb.com/bbv2/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=3;gtid=125551;gpid=12 5554#gpid125554

Let us know if these don't answer your questions.

Cheers,
Stan

[LJballer]

Thanks, I read the posts. Is there a good compound to use with my dremmel? or cloth? Idon't(cant) take the movements out, as I am not watch guy. They were my father's watches. thanks again
Luke

[terry hall]

suggestion....

put down the dremel tool..........

remember.... less is more.

pick up a polishing cloth of some kind and use it sparingly...

[LJballer]

I guess I just dont see being able to take an unpolished case like this and turning it into this with just a cloth????

[Veritas]

What if you get polish inside the watch? Then it will have to come apart to be serviced.
I do not polish silver cases.I don,t see the point, i like the patina of them.
As for a dremel, it is not the thing to use.

[terry hall]

comparision is apples and oranges....

what is the back of the patina case like? any engravings?

and consider this... just how long did it take for the patina to get there?


less is more....

offering opinions.... but you don't have to abide by them, nor agree with them.

[Turcis1]

FIRST PUT THE DREMEL TOOL AWAY AND LOCK IT UP!

Next, you really should take the movement out of the case before you try to polish it. You will cause real trouble if you get the polishing compound into a running movement and getting the watch serviced can be expensive. Surely someone at your local NAWCC Chapter can show you how to remove the movement from the case.

Finally, if you insist, try using one of the polishing compounds that come impregnated in cotton. (That will minimize the amount of compound you use.) You can make the case look very presentable with one of these compounds and a bit of elbow greese. Be very sure that you remove ALL of the compound after you are finished polishing. (Do not forget the areas under the covers.

[LarFure]

When I clean cases as corroded as the csae you show in the picture I use a product called Meguiars metal polysh. It's mentioned in the thread.
http://nawcc-***-mb.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3426047761/m/5391055852?r=4351018852#4351018852

[Tom Huber]

For cleaning gold filled and silver cases, I use Happich Symichrome polish and a soft cloth. It is non abrasive and will clean very stubborn dirt.

On Silveroid cases, that are undecorated on the back, I use brasso and a soft cloth. Remember that brasso is abrasive. Do not use brasso on Gold filled, gold or silver.

Also, I second the motion--Lock up the dremel tool and NEVER use it for polishing a case.

Tom

[LJballer]

Wow, Glad Ihaven't used the dremmel!!LOL. Thanks for the tips!! I'll be trying them asap, tonight or tomorrow!! Been cleaning some clock cases tonight. Tiring! Wow does that brasso work on brass!!!(clock trim)
Luke