Can You Fix Scratched Watch Glass?
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Time to read 4 min
Introduction
Finding a scratch on your watch face doesn't have to be the end of the world. Most scratches can be removed with a bit of elbow grease and patience by using polish and a buffing cloth. Follow our guide below and say goodbye to scratched glass.
Table of contents
Introduction How to remove Scratches: Step One: Identify the right polish for the scratch Step Two: Set up the correct tools Step Three: Prepare your watch face for polishing Step Four: Start polishing If your watch's time has come... Must have Products Watch Polishing Conclusion Frequently Asked Questions Related Readings
How to remove Scratches:
Step One: Identify the right polish for the scratch
Different types of watch face will require different polishes. The type of polish you use will depend on the expensiveness of your watch.
Types of polishes:
- Toothpaste, Polywatch paste or Brasso polish for acrylic crystal: often referred to as plastic or hesalite, it is likely your watch face is made of acrylic crystal if it was manufactured before the 1980's. You will be able to identify this by its plastic-like and lightweight feel. If you decide to use toothpaste, ensure that it is not grainy as this can further damage the watch crystal.
- Any type of polish for mineral glass crystal: this type of crystal is commonly found in mid-range watches. Mineral glass crystal is treated with heat and/or chemicals to withstand scratches and can often appear cloudy or hazy. You're in luck if your watch face is made of this crystal, as you can use any type of polish or paste.
- 0.5 Micron Lapping Paste or 3 Micron DP3 Dia-Paste for a sapphire crystal: If your watch is expensive or a luxury watch, you will most likely have a sapphire crystal watch face. The sapphire crystal has a brilliant resistance to scratches and shattering, and the face should not appear hazy like the mineral glass crystal. It is extremely important to use polish made specifically for this type of crystal to avoid any further damage.
If you are unsure what type of crystal you have, do not hesitate to get in contact with the manufacturer. It is better to use the correct polish to ensure that no further damage is done to your watch.
Step Two: Set up the correct tools
Before you get started on those pesky scratches, it is recommended to have some mis-en-place involved in your set-up. Here are the following items you may need on hand before polishing your watch face:
- Your watch
- Painter's tape
- Microfibre cleaning cloth
- Polish
- Detail brush
- Watch strap or watch bracelet cleaner (to go the extra mile!)
Step Three: Prepare your watch face for polishing
Start by using a detail brush to get rid of any excess dust before you start the polishing process.
Despite working on the watch face, it is important to protect the other parts of your watch. Whilst buffing the scratches , there is a risk of damage to your watch's bezel (the top ring surrounding the crystal).
You can easily avoid this by applying painter's tape protection over the case and bezel. Make sure to take care when applying the tape, and apply it to the places most susceptible to damage nearest the crystal.
To take extra precautions, you could also remove the band or strap of your watch to ease the polishing process.
Step Four: Start polishing
Begin by adding a pea-sized amount of polish to the surface of your crystal. It is better to use less product at first as you can always add more later. If you add too much polishing product, there is a risk of making the polishing process more difficult due to overloading the watch face.
Once you have done this, use the microfibre cleaning cloth to buff the crystal. Ensure that you do this in a gentle and circular motion to get a good coverage of product.
It is best to use light pressure and to do this for 2-3 minutes until the scratch gradually disappears.
Repeat this process as necessary until all the scratches have gone.
If your watch's time has come...
Sometimes a scratched watch face can be too damaged, and it is important to recognise when this is the case.
If the scratch is too deep and cannot be removed through polishing, consider replacing the watch crystal. You can do this by taking your watch to a local watch repair shop or returning it to the manufacturer to replace.
Must have Products Watch Polishing
Conclusion
Removing the scratches out of your watch glass is a great way to revitalise your watch, and bring it back to life. With a little bit of time and elbow grease your scratches will be a thing of the past.
Polishing the scratches with polywatch is a simple job, but it does take time, so make sure you're prepared before starting and be patient, results don't happen straight away.
Sometimes prevention is better than a cure, stop scratched before they happen by checking out our Watch Glass Protection Film:
Click here for flat glass, and here for curved glass.
Shop our luxury new and second hand watches, watch straps and watch tools and accessories on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Polywatch plastic polish be used on anything other that watches?
Yes! Although it's designed for plastic watch crystals Polywatch can be used on most plastics to remove scratches, we recommend you test a small area first though.
Can I remove scratches from sapphire crystals with Polywatch?
Yes, you'll need to use the Glass Polish Set where the directions are a little different to this blog, but if you follow the directions on the box you'll be good to go.
How can I get scratches out of my watch case and bracelet?
Check out our blog on this very question, we go into detail about the techniques, products and tools you'll need to get started:
How To Remove Scratches From a Watch
