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Is it possible to re-paint aluminum to look like the white ceramic watch?

patent10021

patent10021

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Apr 23, 2004
3,561
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I'm thinking it must be possible to make a regular aluminum watch look like the newer white ceramic watches. I really like that look but I already have a watch.

Anyone here an expert on paint?
 
patent10021 said:
I'm thinking it must be possible to make a regular aluminum watch look like the newer white ceramic watches. I really like that look but I already have a watch.

Anyone here an expert on paint?
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I’m not a paint expert, but I think what you’re trying to achieve would not be necessarily easy. Because they’re two different types of paint finishes and then you have the anozidation you would have to paint over (Assumingly). Not to mention, with ceramic, wouldn’t there be some type of curing process or baking to ensure the paint adheres properly? I think it’s possible, but the results would be highly variable depending on your process.
 
I think someone would make a lot of money for paint kits for watches. This guy got his gold plated with real gold for $400. Looks awesome. Way better than the fake Apple gold on the new gold, rose watches they have.

https://www.howtogeek.com/231532/i-got-my-apple-watch-gold-plated-and-heres-what-happened/

To offer a paint service for watch cases in any colour wouldn't be that difficult for someone that already had the setup.

I have no need / benefit for the internals of a new watch but would like a different colour case or two.

I love those new ceramic colours. But then you need to pay $1,000-$2,000.
 
abdulkar.im said:
Well, it's the only way you can get the true look, anything else will probably look pants.
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That’s variable. It’s based on the process somebody is using and their overall experience. There have been Apple Watches that have been painted before that actually look relatively good, but you’re going to spend some money finding somebody to professionally paint it.
 
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How about buying ceramic bands to put on your watch, or buy the ceramic model? What you are looking for would not yield the result you want without possible damage to the watch and or voiding the warranty.
 
jbizzybeetle said:
are there any after-market cases to achieve your desired look?
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Yes, I actually ordered a white one for $14 or something.

If you guys know Colorware then you know this can be done easily if you already have the facility to do so. That's why I sent an email to Colorware to see if they've considered it. Maybe if the customer is willing to disassemble their watch. iFixit did it easily.

Let's say it costs only $100 if you send in the case yourself. Easily worth it.

Oh and it doesn't need to be the exact ceramic finish. It could be matte, glossy, etc. Have you seen what Colorware has done with the AirPods? Stunning.
 
patent10021 said:
That's why I sent an email to Colorware to see if they've considered it. Maybe if the customer is willing to disassemble their watch.
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I don’t believe Colorware will paint it. Primarily because there are soldered components inside the casing and they likely offer services they have experience with. However, I am not saying it’s not possible. Colorware does not state anywhere on their site that they offer this specific service for the Apple Watch.
 
Relentless Power said:
I don’t believe Colorware will paint it. Primarily because there are soldered components inside the casing and they likely offer services they have experience with. However, I am not saying it’s not possible. Colorware does not state anywhere on their site that they offer this specific service for the Apple Watch.
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That’s why I mentioned the customer has to send in the case only.

Colorware wouldn’t do it only because it’s not their business and the market isn’t big like AirPods. Also as I said, the case needs to be sent in which means the customer has to disassemble it. If it was just the empty case and there was a large enough market for it they would be interested in it forsure.

I would even send them my own case just to see if they’d like to try it.
 
patent10021 said:
That’s why I mentioned the customer has to send in the case only
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So exactly how would the customer go about removing the Soldered components inside the casing? That would render the Apple Watch useless and likely would cause permanent damage. Unless you’re somebody that knows exactly what you’re doing.
 
Relentless Power said:
So exactly how would the customer go about removing the Soldered components inside the casing? That would render the Apple Watch useless and likely would cause permanent damage. Unless you’re somebody that knows exactly what you’re doing.
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I'm not sure. Maybe they wouldn't need to remove everything. Just the components that allow them to powder coat the exterior with more ease. If it is just the glass then that is really easy.
 
patent10021 said:
I'm not sure. Maybe they wouldn't need to remove everything. Just the components that allow them to powder coat the exterior with more ease. If it is just the glass then that is really easy.
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Easy it would not be at all for reasons already stated. Not to mention, even if Colorware could paint the casing, I can only imagine what they would charge you being it’s not a specific product they offer to paint. The paint process would Probably be worth more than the Apple Watch alone.
 
Relentless Power said:
Easy it would not be at all for reasons already stated. Not to mention, even if Colorware could paint the casing, I can only imagine what they would charge you being it’s not a specific product they offer to paint. The paint process would Probably be worth more than the Apple Watch alone.
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For a custom paint job it'll probably cost about the same as buying an actual ceramic anyway.
 
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Wouldn't something like this essentially take the resale price to a microscopic percentage of it's potential value?
 
TiggrToo said:
Wouldn't something like this essentially take the resale price to a microscopic percentage of it's potential value?
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Generally, Apple Watches do not hold value anyways as it is. Especially if it’s on an annual release. But, A painted Apple Watch would have to appeal to a certain individual if it was customized. Then again, perhaps the owner has no intention of selling it anyways if they are customizing it specifically for them.
 
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