HOW TO REFINISH A WATCH | EASY Scratch Removal Tutorial For BOTH Brushed (Satin) and High Polish

Hey Schwartz Force! Did you know, its a great day to wear a watch? Today we're going to take a look at the methods I use, and highly recommend when you need to refinish or remove scratches from your watch case and bracelet. I will show you the steps and the products I use to get great results without having to invest in any tools or machinery...this is all by hand finishing and ANYONE can do it! Check out the products down below 👇👇👇
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#watchrepair
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[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Would you have the guts to intentionally scuff up your watches? Do you have any methods you like to use when polishing or brushing your watches and bracelets?

[@marcn8750]

Thanks david. I use the grey pads for satin finish for stainless steel. I find the red a bit too course for satin. IMHO. I have not seen or heard of the white pad before. What the code for that please?

[@marcn8750]

What’s the reason for the water on the pads for satin? Just smoother and lubricated? I find it better to put the pad on a table. Have rulers as guide rails and the pull the bracelet over it on one direction.

[@mrwuffe]

I fix my own watch but never knew how to fix the brushed finish till now... May the schwartz be with u !!! too!

[@stephenm5000]

I got carried away polishing the clasp of my watch to a lovely shiny smooth finish, but it started off a brushed finish. After watching your video, applied a few gently strokes of a scotch pad - all good!

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Great tutorial. Never knew about the heat tape and the exact number of the pad. Thanks for sharing.

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Thanks bro! Yeah I recently had discovered it too and the lack of residue sold me on it for sure! Hoping this will be helpful, thanks for checking it out! 😎🙌

[@BCallum]

Great job. Looks a lot better. Cheers from Atlantic Canada!!

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Thanks brother! I appreciate you checking out the results on this one. Cheers! 😎🍻🙌

[@asiantimepieces]

Nice tutorial. Thanks for sharing 🙌

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Thanks so much for checking it out! 😎🙌

[@Dark2Light_420]

Very cool. I noticed Seiko bracelets develop scratches lime no other. I'm thinking about cleaning the original band, then putting it back in the box and buying a new band to bang around.

[@watchsixto]

Awesome work David looks like it ready for more action 😆 🤣 😂

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Haha thanks man! We will see how it looks after a year of 9th grade shenanigans! 🤣

[@RossWristWatchLove]

Great DIY video bro!

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Thank you brother! I hope it helps many people 😎👍

[@matthewchristophermyers9106]

Thanks for a great presentation.

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Glad it was helpful!

[@J20666]

Nice demonstration 👍

[@boatdetective]

Well done, sir. Any thoughts on buffing/sanding out nicks on the very edges of the case? I'm thinking that if i have some fine wet or dry sandpaper glued to a stick, I can pre soak it and then work an even chamfer on the case. Afterwards, work down to finer grits, then polish bright

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Thanks so much for the support! So for nicks and dings on the case I've never personally attempted to do that repair. You're correct in that a wet sanding could get it down to an even edge then go higher up the grit until you can polish to a mirror finish. Where I think it could go south fast is how much of the material you'd have to take off and if you do it to one side/edge only, it may stand out and be quite apparent. I worry that whatever you do to one side you'll have to do to the other to keep it even looking. I think the most I'd do is just hit it with polishing cloths for a long time to try and smooth out the nick at least to the touch and then leave it be or take it to a professional to see if they can fill the nick and then give it a professional polishing, but that could be cost prohibitive depending on the value of the watch as well. Sorry I could not give more direct advice!

[@91lifetime23]

Can you use the gray 7448 pad for brushed stainless steel? Or only for titanium?

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Definitely, it will work as well on steel 😎👍

[@Aries0098]

What if it's a colored stainless steel like black or rose gold?

[@mabaker6123]

Is there a way to bring back the brush finishing?😂

[@maxortega8073]

going to try this on my new rolex. my grandpa recently gave me his 20 year old rolex and its very very rough and rolex wanted $3000 for a full maitnence and polishing which i just cant spend so hopefully i can get it looking better.

[@maxortega8073]

only doing this on the braclet not messing around with the case.

[@cedricbradford2104]

Thanks

[@M3533ghost]

I’m scared to use any material on my royal oak

[@juanaclan577]

What brand is the tape that u used?

[@AliasEveWatches]

Wow, it looks brand new! Your nephew's friends are going to think he got a brand new watch. 😂

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Lol! Thanks! I was so nervous so I was definitely prepared to buy a new one if I screwed his up but I think it turned out great! 😎👍

[@AliasEveWatches]

@@DavidSchwartzjr Thankfully it turned out well!

[@victorhugorodriguez773]

i did this with the 3m scuff and the metal band get a brown color, what can i do to solved? i remove the plated color? is a kenneth cole watch

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Oh no, yes that sounds like it was not a solid steel bracelet. Was it silver colored? Most bracelets are steel but some can be an alloy that is coated to look like steel. I would recommend to just replace that band with an actual steel one.

[@victorhugorodriguez773]

@@DavidSchwartzjr i was told this designer Watches was bad but that bad? 😩

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

@@victorhugorodriguez773 yeah man, that is unfortunate. I’ve owned two Kenneth Cole watches many years ago and they were both steel cases and bracelets. I guess not all of their stuff is though 😞

[@monvici]

Is this work for replica watch? It looks otherwice like authentic, but it looks unfinished

[@awnik99]

Unless you are an experienced watchmaker with proper tools you will NEVER be able to accomplish straight brushing lines. If you dont care about your watch and only want to restore it to look somehow better its fine, but be aware: those skewed brushing lines WILL show in sunlight

Exactly. In good light you will see all of curved lines which doesn't look very good.

[@993mike]

It's funny that these two polishing and brushing methods are exactly what I've been using for years! I do think it's interesting how folks call fake Submariners "Ohmage" watches. No, they are just fakes. I'd rather have a real Seiko any day over a fake Rolex.

[@KevinTaylor-l8m]

No. Fakes will say Rolex on them. This watch has a lot of differences from a Sub. Using your theory every dive watch out there would be a fake. Is a Super Ocean a fake Rolex? Omega Seamaster a fake? Come on now. 😊

[@GEMSofGOD_com]

Man,brushed finishing is smth that really makes me think and search. Like, specifically Cartier Ballon Bleu, just one scratch on one link. How?

[@michellewood6030]

This is brilliant! I was considering a second hand watch, but was put off by the amount of scratches. Now I can go and get myself a bargain, with confidence that I'll be able to improve the aesthetics. Thanks.

[@somewhereintimewatchreviews]

Some pretty good results it's come up really well. You actually use pretty much the same cleaning products that I do apart from the scotch pad I tend to just use the purple/burgundy (whatever😄) for all brushed surfaces sometimes if a bracelet is full of wrist cheese 🤢 I'll dunk it in a pot of glass cleaner to soak then brush it off under running hot water. Very useful vid man 👍🍻

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Haha wrist cheese!! 🤜🧀 Thanks man, the burgundy is definitely that sweet spot grit for satin finishing for sure! Soaking it is probably a much easier method, I’ll have to try that next time. I did notice that if the spring bars have lots of gunk, cleaning them almost always causes them to break so I just replace them to be safe. Cheers Adrian! 😎🍻👍

[@somewhereintimewatchreviews]

@@DavidSchwartzjr I tend to change spring bars fairly regularly anyway as that's pretty much what holds a watch on your wrist, apart from the Seiko divers ones as they're about the same size as a car shock absorber haha so they last forever.

[@andhenny]

Best refinishing video on the internet! I bought a Yema heritage Superman on the cheap; it looked like it was in a bicycle accident. I took the bracelet apart and resorted to like-new. Thanks!

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Thanks so much for the kind words! You just made my night! Glad to hear about the success you had with the Yema! 😎👍

[@enterthebruce91]

​​@@DavidSchwartzjrHey David, nice video man! Is it okay to just use the Cape Cod polishing cloths to remove scratches or is the follow up using the James Avery/another polishing cloth after I've used the Cape Cod absolutely necessary? I ask because I don't want to accidently over do it by polishing too much and ruining my polished centre links. Is it possible to just use a microfibre cloth after using the Cape Cod polishing cloth or just the Cape Code cloth with no other polishing cloth or microfibre cloth after? In the past I made the rookie mistake of using a polishing cloth on brushed links (I had no idea what I was doing as it was my first time trying it), and I noticed the abrasive effects from the polishing cloth stripped off a layer of stainless steel from my brushed links (Seiko) and I can see the black underneath from where it's been stripped away so I'll never make that mistake again! So yeah, that's why I'm hesitant about accidently over polishing on my polished cente links and ruining them, the same way I damaged my brushed links by using a polishing cloth. Obviously don't wanna end up doing more harm than good to my watch. Thanks for the tutorial! Much appreciated, Sean

[@latertater92]

I would be careful with the red pads mixing aluminum and stainless isn't usually a good idea. The 7448 pro pads by 3M are the lowest grit they make without aluminum oxide abrasives.

[@DanMyers-z2v]

This was fantastic! I just purchased a used Christopher Ward with a brushed bracelet. It had far more scuffs than the pictures indicated. Spending $18 on cleaner and Scotch Brite saved me $200+ on a new bracelet.

[@TyreAlmasri]

Love your channel with so many stellar watches! For me the MAMACOO’ watch is my favorite. Keep the videos coming. Thanks.

[@JohnUSA7]

I just polished my bracelet on my Rolex Bluesy and it came out just beautiful and new looking in just few minutes. My 9 month old Rolex Bluesy is the 2-tone Submariner with the 18k gold and Oystersteel with the Oyster bracelet. After having it on my wrist for 9 straight months it of course got scratches and started not to look so great. All I used were just 2 items that I already had at home: 1 - A bottle of Brasso cleaner/polisher, it is the beige creamy compound. 2 - Scotch Brite blue non-scratch kitchen scrub sponge. I used the coarser side to polish. After soft polishing I washed my Rolex with a toothbrush and Dawn dish-washing detergent. I made sure the crown was properly screwed. After washing and cleaning my Rolex and then drying it with a soft cloth it looked like new again. Try my method....you will be very pleased.

[@lgdelgado]

Hello. Great video thanks! Just to confirm how to work the High Polish part of the bracelet: first use Cape Cod and after that, a jewelry polish cloth, to bring out shine to it? Thanks

[@shannonsmith7265]

Thanks for the video and the link to the pads. I've been looking for a set of fine satin/brushed finish pads without paying $14.99 for a 1 X 2 inch square!

[@twitchyjambo]

That's a great video bro, case and bracelet restoration is something I dread😬 but there are a few watches with polished centre link I'd rather have brushed so I'm gonna give it a go😎🤞 hope your nephew love's the improvement,I'm sure he will😂 look's great. Much love as always 😎👍

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Thanks Trip! Just keep a steady hand and you should be golden bro! I just saw my nephew last night and he was rocking this watch all clean up, looked new again lol. Cheers and much love back to you brother! 😎🙌

[@relosapulso]

why is there extra holes for the spring bars?

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Do you mean extra holes in the lugs?

[@relosapulso]

@@DavidSchwartzjr ah yes my bad :)

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Oh okay no worries, usually there are two sets of holes because either the lugs are longer and would use one set for the bracelet on that watch, and the other set is for the leather or fabric strap that would come with the watch. You usually see this when the strap is custom made for that watch, like it’s curved and fitted for that watch only.

[@DemareuaPope]

You had to "hit" it a few times ... 😂

[@WatchWitt]

I like that tape recommendation…will pick some up. Do we actually know what Cape Cod will do/damage to brushed finishes? They say not to use it, but I have (on cheaper watches) with favorable results. I’m assuming it sands away the brushing? Cape Cod does miracles on high polish, that’s for sure!

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Hey Witt! Yeah man that tape is awesome stuff and will go a long way for the price. I am certain it will eventually mess up the brushing bc I’ve made that mistake with my James Avery cloths that have made brushing look uneven after many buffs over time lol. So yup I’d say polish only for the cape cod! Stuff smells amazing too lol 😂👍

[@WatchWitt]

@@DavidSchwartzjr Good to know. And stop huffing the Cape Cod! 🤪 I think it’s supposed to be a vanilla scent…

[@jimg8887]

I had a brain fart and used cape cod on a bronze glycine combat sub and forgot about the fine brushed finish and I then had a shiny bronze watch, no more fine brushing. I used a very fine foam sanding block and was able to restore it to about 90%. I'm going to try and make a wheel for my drill using a stack of 3m pads for bracelets.

[@WINDINGCROWNS]

Great job David. Very helpful.

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Thanks Hector! Glad you enjoyed it brother! 😎🙌

[@AliasEveWatches]

First!!

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Hehe you win again Eve! 🥇 😎🙌

[@alphatech1031]

Hey David, I want to CHANGE a brushed finish on a stainless steel bracelet to a high polished finish to match the stainless steel case. I have some extra links of said bracelet to experiment on. I am a TOTAL NOVICE. Do you have any recommendations of how I can accomplish this? Happy to tip for your advice and use any affiliate links for supplies. All the best!

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

I have not attempted this on my own before to go from a brushed finish to high polish finish. The best thing I could think of to achieve that would be a dremel or other high speed/power tool to apply a metal polish that could remove the steel in a small enough way to get below the brushing depth. By hand would just simply take forever imo. I will have to look into this a bit more and try it out with a cheap watch bracelet and see if I can get some decent results.

[@timelesssneakersandwatches]

😂😂😂 yeah you did!! Lmao. Great video bro! Nice step by step. Appreciate the link for the pads!

[@gbiscuits]

Thanks! That looks easier than I thought!

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Yup! I had to get over the initial nerves but once you get a feel for it, it definitely gets easier! 😎👍

[@joeblackwolf17]

Very cool detailed video. Thanks !!

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

Great tutorial man 👏

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Thanks brother! I had been nervous about doing it to any watch so after testing out the methods and being successful you know I had to make a vid lol. 😎🙌

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

@@DavidSchwartzjr 👏

[@ProjectPete]

THANK YOU! I have been wondering how to take care of my watches and this answered a lot of questions for me! 🤩

[@jakeplaydirty3882]

Good video mate! How would you go about trying to restore a circular-brushed stainless steel pattern? Im talking about the all metal Casioak in particular 😂 I appreciate it's a watch designed to take a beating, but I've got a pretty nasty "rash" from a pocket zipper that I'd like to try and remedy 🤞🏻😂

[@marcodorame5953]

I grew up on fossil as a kid and still use the brand. Be honest are they 💩 I also have an original grain. Same thing gave it to my son and the wood around the bezel got smashed i like your channel first time watching thank you

[@jodysilvia2]

Some year's back I bought an invicta to try my hand at modding and refinishing bracelets, I learned real fast modding wasn't for me lol

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Haha I can completely understand. Refinishing has to be the most nerve wracking thing I’ve done so far, I can’t even imagine how modding or watch repair must be. 😅

[@jodysilvia2]

@@DavidSchwartzjr I destroyed the dial, however I did with my wife's steady hand change the hands on a invicta diver but scratched the shit out of the dial to the point the applied logo was gone lmao

[@DavidSchwartzjr]

Lol I hope afterwards you were like “success!” 😂

[@soniasandoval32]

Hello David, do you have a tutorial for polishing the face of the watch? I have scratches on the rim area as well that look horrible. Thank you.

[@Deshaunwatzon]

Will those polishing cloths work good enough to turn a brushed section to high-polished?

[@theunsolicited2cents893]

Why dont u attach a circular cutoff of the pad to a milk frothing handheld device. If done correctly it will give a better finish.

[@Fantazier1]

You mention not to use this method on Gold Plated watches. What method do you recommend? Have you done a video on that subject, if not would do one?

[@bestboy897]

Thats pretty impressive

[@maccam26]

Great to the point video

[@bstichman2649]

This was an awesome tutorial!

[@dapperlygrungy3189]

OMG! I'm afraid to use your technique to remove the scratches on the brushed steel of my watch. I think the scratches are minor. I scratched the bracelet against the tip top edge of my car window when it was rolled down half way trying to reach for something. I can't believe glass can scratch stainless steel. If you look at the edge of a car window, that area is raw and isn't smooth.

[@kenl3155]

Can I polish my black watch to metal colour?