DR3M3L 4 Posted February 10, 2014 Hi all, As some know I recently bought a Cartier santos 100 on the m2m sales, it was a bargain as the previous owner messed up replacing the strap. Here's the watch: It is a great watch, wearing it at least 2 to 3 times a week. Here you can see the scratches made by the previous owner when replacing the strap: Also the watch was very dirty, look: So let's repair this watch and give it a nice cleaning! Step by step tutorial for a DIY using cheap equipment! Step 1. We are going to remove the scratches using a very old, easy and most cheap way possible: Using toothpaste and a abrasive pad! It takes time, a long time actually if the scratches are deep.... Toothpaste has to be white, no other gel stuff! Also don't use a whitening toothpaste. Look at the beautiful result after just 30 min: Step 2. The toothpaste creates a brushed and matte look, and I need it to be polished! So, let's use a polishing cloth like Cape Code or as I am using: Nevr Dull! I own both, but Nevr Dull is doing the job better IMO. Cape cod is alot more expensive too. This also takes you quite a long time, I found the look I wanted after 20 minutes of rubbing. As you can see it turns black, DON'T TROW IT AWAY! Even if it's black you can use it without any problems and the results will still be awesome The result is a shiny new-looking watch! : Step 3 - final step. To finish our product we need to clean this baby! I used WD40 to kill dust and remove any spots with a toothbrush (Buy a new toothbrush and don't use your own! ) After this wipe your watch with a (not too) wet cloth and re-attach your bracelet/strap. The Result. And look at this beauty! It's as new again and ready to be worn without spending more then 10 bucks Thanks for looking and good luck polishing your own watches! -Joran Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bash64 17 Posted February 10, 2014 Nice work. I have been using the green pad without toothpaste - does the abrasive in the toothpaste speed it up? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeAlmighty 0 Posted February 10, 2014 Great tips! Will try soon. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyBlue 538 Posted February 10, 2014 Top man, well done sir. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DR3M3L 4 Posted February 10, 2014 Nice work. I have been using the green pad without toothpaste - does the abrasive in the toothpaste speed it up? Yeah it does, and when you use a polishing paste it'll go even quicker Just search around for some different types of SS polishing methods! Great tips! Will try soon. Thanks! Thank you, and show us your results! Top man, well done sir. Thanks Andy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSTEEL 0 Posted February 10, 2014 Great budget tips there Joran. I need to look up that Never Dull stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DR3M3L 4 Posted February 10, 2014 Great budget tips there Joran. I need to look up that Never Dull stuff. I never use cape cod anymore because of it... It's really great stuff and just has an alcohol smell, not that bad bad bad vanilla smell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seclark007 11 Posted February 10, 2014 Great DIY Joran. How do you have time to be here....get back to that baby, Mister! I've used never dull for absolutely years in the military, shining everything that needs to be shiny. It does have a smell associated with it, but a rinse with water and a soft cloth to dry afterwards usually does the trick. You can find that beside the Brasso or Silvo....or try the automotive section. In Canada, easily found at Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbo350z 0 Posted February 10, 2014 Thanks. I need to get a can of this never dull Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DR3M3L 4 Posted February 10, 2014 Great DIY Joran. How do you have time to be here....get back to that baby, Mister! I've used never dull for absolutely years in the military, shining everything that needs to be shiny. It does have a smell associated with it, but a rinse with water and a soft cloth to dry afterwards usually does the trick. You can find that beside the Brasso or Silvo....or try the automotive section. In Canada, easily found at Thanks mate, I'm a few days free of work and home all day with Mila... So this evening I decided to do a quick repair and take some shots of it to share on RWG. Ended up writing a quick tutorial in the end :lmao: Never dull can also be found online for about 6/7 usd. I've bought it in NL for 8 euro, but it's way cheaper overseas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baxter 6 Posted February 10, 2014 Looks great Joran.............. lovely watch too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frazzle 5 Posted February 10, 2014 Well done pal, nice simple tutorial. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DR3M3L 4 Posted February 10, 2014 Looks great Joran.............. lovely watch too Thanks mate! The Santos is one of the finest watches ever made IMO, and also the best rep ever made Well done pal, nice simple tutorial. Thanks mate! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted February 10, 2014 Neverdull? WD40? Not only is this "cheap ass polishing", it'll smell like it too! What are you going to do to rid the smell? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DR3M3L 4 Posted February 10, 2014 Neverdull? WD40? Not only is this "cheap ass polishing", it'll smell like it too! What are you going to do to rid the smell? Seriously, just some water and fine cloth and it's gone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DG335 0 Posted February 10, 2014 Nice advice Joran I find cape cod a little to abrasive for a polished finish I use this for a deep scratch removal This for first fine polish And this for the perfect mirror under magnification Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
George. 34 Posted February 10, 2014 This man deserves a sticky bun, smiling up at him Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DR3M3L 4 Posted February 10, 2014 Nice advice JoranI find cape cod a little to abrasive for a polished finish I use this for a deep scratch removal This for first fine polish And this for the perfect mirror under magnification Thanks mate, I'm going to get some of these and give it a try At this point I got the best results using a dremel, but I like to do it withous machines because of the perfection and secure job Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DG335 0 Posted February 10, 2014 I use the dremel for grey deep scratch with felt heads (pack off eBay for €6) I then use hand and a chamois leather for other two finish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pseudonym 0 Posted February 10, 2014 Nice post. I'll give the tips a go! Thanks mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
R1evans 0 Posted February 10, 2014 Very useful,cheers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plankton 1 Posted February 10, 2014 Nice. I'm a polishing nut actually, I will try a couple of your ideas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
