The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi guys,
I have read through the threads I could find on polishing techniques and it seems most people like the cape cod cloths. I am new to polishing anything of any kind. I am a little nervous about messing with my babies, but I have a few small light marks on one of my bracelets and it has been killing me. I have been having a hard time opening the clasp and I keep hitting the latch and as a result I have made a couple of marks I just have to get. Could you guys give me info on the best ways that you have found using the cape cods please. I have a dremel, but I don't have the guts to try to use it to polish these out.
Thanks for the help in advance...

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Breitling Bentley 6.75
White Baton Super Avenger
Rolex DSSD

Cape Cods are dead easy to use. They come pre-treated with a polishing compound and you literally just rub the scratched area with it. That's all there is to it.

I usually just cut a piece off the bigger cloth to use as it makes it easier to control (and you don't want to polish off the AR on the crystal by accident!) and it also ensures you don't waste the whole cloth on one polish. On steel you need to put a bit of effort in as the Cods are quite mild......, but then that's a good thing in my opinion as it makes it much more difficult to over-do the polishing.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

How long do you normally rub it in for surface marks?
Also do you let it dry before buffing of excess? Sorry I just really don't
Want to mess this up.

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Breitling Bentley 6.75
White Baton Super Avenger
Rolex DSSD

Polishing time will depend on how deep any scratches are. Remember these things, as stated above are really mildly abrasive.

Take your time with it and you'll see the results every time you buff off the polish residue.

I, and many others use micro fibre cloths to buff off

How long? The easy answer is "As long as it takes!" They are very mild and very easy to use. Rub the scratch for a bit, wipe it with a soft clean cloth, see if the scratch is still visible. If it is, rub it with the Cods some more. It's very VERY difficult to overdo it in some session as your arm will ache long before you polish your watch away to nothing!

Once you've polished out the scratch, I'd suggested washing your watch with a mild handsoap and luke-warm water, and then thoroughly rinsing it off in fresh cold water (assuming it's a water resistant watch of course!). The reason for washing it is two-fold - firstly you're well advised to remove traces of any polishing compound as it could degrade the gaskets if left, and secondly..... because your watch will stink of vanilla after using the Cods!

Secondly, you don't need to wait for them to dry. Just polish the scratch, buff it off just to see if the scratch has gone, and then wash it off. Job done.

The only things to be specifically careful of are, a) keeping them off the crystal as you can wear away the AR coating with them (I've used masking tape on the crystal when I've been polishing a Navitimer bezel), and b) don't use them too often as over time (i.e. a very long time) you will end up polishing away too much metal.

Buy some and give them a go - you really can't go wrong with them on polished metals.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I tried it last night. You guys are right it is very mild. It took me a while to get out 2 small surface scratches, but then again I also worked it with extreme care. Just nerves I guess. I just wanted to say thank you for the advice. The funny thing is I started polishing an old esquire watch I had and when I was done I couldn't believe it! My little old used to be my favorite watch was gleaming! I have got to give her some wrist time. As much as I love my breitlings I have to say even though it is alot smaller it sill feels right on the wrist. I should have taken some before and after shots of it. Just amazing. Anyway thanks guys for the advice I really apreciate it.

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Breitling Bentley 6.75
White Baton Super Avenger
Rolex DSSD