Soak out a hairline?

[cons14]

Is there any truth that you can soak out a hairline from a dial? If so, how is it done??

[Tom McIntyre]

If the hairline is only visible because of dirt or oxidation in the crack, it can be made much less noticeable by soaking in any of several solutions.

One popular one is Comet tub & tile cleaner. Note this is a non-bleach, non-abrasive cleaner. Comet makes a large variety of cleaners. This is the only one of those that is recommended.

[Grant Perry]

I have always had good success using Polident. I had posted this on another board, so I'm importing it here.
Good luck!

Porcelain-Enamel Dial Cleaning

I know this is an old subject, but I wanted to show how well Polident cleans hairlines out of dials. The "before" picture is a little poor as it was from the e-Bay listing of the watch. The second picture is after overnight soaking in Polident with warm water (to start). I haven't cleaned the case yet, so please ignore the grime.

I'm sure some people are going to think I replaced the dial, but there is still 1 hairline visable between IIII and V. Same dial




Grant Perry
NAWCC# 157065
Chapter 111

[cons14]

Grant, did you use a brush and rinse or just rinse?

[Grant Perry]

Here are the pictures.....I hope.
I just let it soak for a few hours, sometimes using an old toothbrush if it is really dirty.

[Paul Regan]

I have had great luck with the Comet product with one exception. The product "bleached" out the characters on a AWCo '72 glass dial. Just the dial you don't want to ruin. I'll try to find the pics. It did a great job on the hairlines though. Needless to say I do not use Comet anymore. I use Polychem DEOX-007 in a jewelery ultrasonic for about 3 min with excellent results. Paul

[Paul Regan]

Here is the dial after an overnight soak in the Comet. This was a test that stopped me from using the product. The dial was actually no good due to several fractures that can be seen. Paul

[Jon Hanson]

Here is the dial after an overnight soak in the Comet. This was a test that stopped me from using the product. The dial was actually no good due to several fractures that can be seen. Paul

Rather have had the hairlines........................:(

[Paul Regan]

Yes Jon, even with the fractures and hairlines it was better then it is now. At least a good dial was not ruined. With so many people having success with the Comet stuff, I wonder if it is only a problem with glass dials. Anyhow, I won't use it anymore as the Polychem works nice and is very fast. Paul

[John Pavlik]

Paul,

This is interesting... I have soaked a 100 dials in this stuffand have had the same problem once.. I think it was on an enamel Hampden dial.. not sure if it was Hampden though..it may have been a Waltham.. Not a good condition one for sure, but can not help but wonder why..only 1 in a hundred..

[Tom Huber]

I soak mine in Mr Clean. Occasionally while soaking, I rub the hairline with my thumb and return it to the soak. Usually soak the dial for about 24 hours. Never had a problem.

Tom

[Don Dahlberg]

There is no need to use a product with a strong oxidizer that might bleach the numbers or name. I also do not recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner. It is unnecessary and it sometime loosens already loose porcelain.

I use Mr. Clean and just soak it for a few hours. I might lightly use an old toothbrush. After cleaning I give it a last cleaning with eyeglass cleaner.

Be sure it is dry before you put it back into the movement.

Don

[Paul Regan]

John, that one instance stopped me from using Comet. I had used Comet many time in the past with great(though slow) results. High risk product I think. Paul

[Veritas]

I have used the pollident method too.Has worked well for me.They make the worst hairlines a lot less visable.:thumb:

[ozzy]

I have used the pollident method too.Has worked well for me.They make the worst hairlines a lot less visable.:thumb:
Which polident product do you use? I am in Australia,we have several Polident products available.

[1324wright]

Is there any truth that you can soak out a hairline from a dial? If so, how is it done??

I use household ammonia. Woks great in just a few minutes.
Glen