Polish out scratches from Alum & Stainless?

[8CoreWhore]

Does anyone know how to remove scratches from this soft aluminum and this type of stainless steel used in the Watches?

It's certainly going to be an issue eventually. Rubbing compounds, types of tools, techniques?

Also, if the DLC is more scratch resistant, but unrepairable, I rather not have it - provided repairing scratches in the non-DLC cases is doable. Thoughts?

What I'm seeing on watch forums is - DLC comes in many levels of quality/durability - including some that will "eggshell" or crackle over time. Yikes - depending on the manufacturer. So it remains to be seen just how durable Apple's DLC will be. I sure don't want it if its not very good, or if they charge too much for it.

I'm really leaning towards non-DLC as Apple's DLC will be an unknown for awhile. I sure hope there are publications out there that are willing to do realistic scratch testing.

 

[Sharkey311]

My Seiko watch doesn't have any scratches, take care of yo sh** and you'll be good.

 

[Tycho24]

I do.
I've taken WICKED scratches out of an iPod Touch before I sold it.
I used Brasso. I think it's like $5-$10 at Home Depot or the like... you put a layer on wearing rubber gloves, wait for it to dry to a haze, then buff the ****** out of it with a cloth for like 10 minutes.
It'll look like a mirror, I swear!!

 

[Mikes1]

The SS will be easy to polish with a good metal polish and for deeper marks some wet & dry paper of decreasing coarseness
The aluminium is a different story as it is most lightly anodised therefore if you polish it you will remove or at best alter the surface finish

 

[fousfous]

You can rub the scratch and it will desepear, that's the magic of the aluminum.

 

[maflynn]

I think this spur a cottage industry of watch protectors. To be honest, I've not consider how the watch will wear on a person's wrist.

I had a MS band, and that thing (w/o a screen protector) started scuffing up quite easily and quickly. Yes I know there's a huge difference between the MS Band and the Apple Watch but my point is that when something is exposed on your wrist, it could be prone to wear and tear that will scuff it up

 

[Piggie]

I will tell you what would be amazing fun, if it was possible (and I know it is possible), just needs someone to do it.

If people started offering this service for the Apple Watch.

If they guaranteed no water damage this could be amazingly popular for the Aluminium model

http://youtu.be/_CA0DR4GSQg

Fun Fun Fun

 

[Julien]

Does anyone know how to remove scratches from this soft aluminum and this type of stainless steel used in the Watches?.....

Remember SS has been used in watch cases for several decades. This is not something new that Apple has invented. There are 1000's of products for polishing SS. Here is a detailed article on how to restore even the most abused SS watch case.

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f365/b...toring-stainless-steel-watch-case-301152.html

Aluminum will be (about) the same as the iPhone/iPad. It will also have the same brushed finish to help hide scratches. There are also 1000's of products for polishing brushed aluminum. Here is a article for that.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5978720_polish-brushed-aluminum.html

 

[jafingi]

It will not be a scratch magnet like the back of the old iPods. Stainless steel watches has been sold for years, and if you take care, it won't scratch

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I think this spur a cottage industry of watch protectors. To be honest, I've not consider how the watch will wear on a person's wrist.

Why would it be any different for the Apple Watch? Watches have been around for many years sans protection (discounting the silly rubber face protector on Swatch, which was more of a fashion statement).

 

[Mr.C]

This is the one and only issue that concerns me about buying an watch. I tend to bump and bang my watch quite often and can't avoid it. I currently have a Pebble watch and granted it's made of plastic but it's got scratches all over it. I guess the display is more of a concern then anything else and the Pebble does have a screen protector available for it. Hopefully so will the Watch.

 

[8CoreWhore]

Lots of youtube videos as well, not surprising. Some use bench mounted polishing wheels and compound, some use a dremel with tiny polishing wheel... Making it look new again.

Stainless bands get scratched from rubbing on a desk - for those of you in an office. Nice to know it's all fixable. Now I'm curious how the black DLC ones will fare.

 

[Mr. Buzzcut]

You can't polish anodized aluminum and you'll destroy any seals if you try to polish the stainless without taking the watch apart.

If you need a rugged watch, the Apple watch probably isn't it. But for minor wear the matte aluminum will maintain its looks the best when compared to the polished alternatives.

 

[Lennyvalentin]

I tend to bump and bang my watch quite often and can't avoid it. I currently have a Pebble watch and granted it's made of plastic but it's got scratches all over it.

When I was a kid, I accidentally knocked an old Citizen digital watch from like 1980 against a metal door handle and chipped the front glass in a corner of the watch. Granted, this wasn't exactly modern ion-exchange gorilla glass, but considering the thickness of Watch, it's going to be almost unavoidable to give it the occasional knock or bump. That might be one reason for the curved profile, as it'd promote turning a straight blow into merely a glancing one, I would think.

Getting Applecare for this thing is probably a good idea, especially for the sapphire glass versions. (Sapphire being more scratch-resistant than glass, but also brittler and more prone to shattering when struck.)

Stainless bands get scratched from rubbing on a desk - for those of you in an office.

I've always tended to take off my watch when I sit down and lay it on the closest flat surface. Even when I'm in say, a restaurant or such... Risk of walking away without my expensive gadget aside, it does reduce the wear and tear of the device, especially of the surface-treated versions of the Watch. Once you start scratching up that thin, colored top layer, these products tend to start looking extraordinarily tacky, so I'll just go with the straight stainless steel version I think.

 

[Mr.C]

When I was a kid, I accidentally knocked an old Citizen digital watch from like 1980 against a metal door handle and chipped the front glass in a corner of the watch. Granted, this wasn't exactly modern ion-exchange gorilla glass, but considering the thickness of Watch, it's going to be almost unavoidable to give it the occasional knock or bump. That might be one reason for the curved profile, as it'd promote turning a straight blow into merely a glancing one, I would think.

Getting Applecare for this thing is probably a good idea, especially for the sapphire glass versions. (Sapphire being more scratch-resistant than glass, but also brittler and more prone to shattering when struck.)


I've always tended to take off my watch when I sit down and lay it on the closest flat surface. Even when I'm in say, a restaurant or such... Risk of walking away without my expensive gadget aside, it does reduce the wear and tear of the device, especially of the surface-treated versions of the Watch. Once you start scratching up that thin, colored top layer, these products tend to start looking extraordinarily tacky, so I'll just go with the straight stainless steel version I think.

One thing I haven't been able to find out is which glass is better in this respect, the Ion glass used on the anodised aluminium Sport model or the sapphire glass used on the stainless steel model. Which one is more rugged and less likely to scratch.

 

[kmj2318]

One thing I haven't been able to find out is which glass is better in this respect, the Ion glass used on the anodised aluminium Sport model or the sapphire glass used on the stainless steel model. Which one is more rugged and less likely to scratch.

The Sapphire is less likely to scratch, but more likely to shatter if it's dropped. Gorilla Glass is more favorable for drops but can scratch more easily, even if you took really good care of your iPhone, I bet you could find a bunch of scratches if you look in direct sunlight. For the watch I think Sapphire is better because it's less likely to be dropped, and it's a small piece of glass.

The Omega Speedmaster used a material that could withstand the pressure of outer space without breaking, but it's super easy to scratch. So much so that after several years it looks so cloudy that it's hard to tell time.

 

[Mr.C]

The Sapphire is less likely to scratch, but more likely to shatter if it's dropped. Gorilla Glass is more favorable for drops but can scratch more easily, even if you took really good care of your iPhone, I bet you could find a bunch of scratches if you look in direct sunlight. For the watch I think Sapphire is better because it's less likely to be dropped, and it's a small piece of glass.

The Omega Speedmaster used a material that could withstand the pressure of outer space without breaking, but it's super easy to scratch. So much so that after several years it looks so cloudy that it's hard to tell time.

That's good to know. as for the iPhone mine has had a screen protector from day one so its not likely to have any scratches. I know there is/are screen protector(s) for the Pebble and I'm positive there will be ones for the Watch. If I get an Watch I'll most likely get a screen protector for it as well as AppleCare Plus if it's an option.

 

[EngenZerO]

These scratch threads crack me up!

My $6500 Panerai 111 is stainless steel and has tons of hairlines and a few gouges in it in its casing! Also it's Sapphire has a scratch due to me rubbing against brick wall while in Italy! Also it's stainless steel buckle has lots of scratches! Not to mention the scratches I placed on it it while changing straps!

My $3500 Omega Planet Ocean which is stainless steel has a few dings from swimming pools and tons of scratches and hairline scratches on its casing and band!

It's almost impossible to keep a watch scratch free if you wear it. I know some people on watch forums who fret about scratches on stainless steel use Cape Cod Cloth to buff out scratches... but what many don't know is that you are constantly taking off a very very fine layer of steel in the process so eventually any sharp lines will get dull over time.

Every watch manufacture from Rolex, to Omega, to Panerai, to Tag, to JLC... etc. offers after service care where you send in your watch to get serviced and they professionally clean and service your watch and buff the casing to remove scratches... This is the only time my watches will ever get scratches removed...

If you think your Apple Watch is going to be scratch free... be prepared to be shocked! Stainless Steel, especially, polished, is a scratch magnet. You look at it funny or wear a long sleeve shirt... your gonna get hairlines in it instantly! There is no reason to fret... just wear it and enjoy it! If not keep it as a watch queen that sits on a dresser!

 

[Julien]

These scratch threads crack me up!...

....but this is the first watch introduced in history. We have no precedent to understand what might happen when you put this on your wrist. I think everyone should buy large rubber bumpers and screen protectors until we understand how a watch works.

 

[Lennyvalentin]

Stainless Steel, especially, polished, is a scratch magnet. You look at it funny or wear a long sleeve shirt... your gonna get hairlines in it instantly! There is no reason to fret... just wear it and enjoy it! If not keep it as a watch queen that sits on a dresser!

Indeed. I resigned to the fact it's Real Hard to keep everyday-use objects in pristine condition the day I was running across a street to catch the bus and my iPhone 5S flew out of my pocket and bounced, spinning and bouncing like a god damned wheel, like 5 meters along the asphalt of the road ahead of me. I wish I'd had my iPhone in my hand to record a video of it, it was just crazy insane!

It got some really nice gouges on most of the corners of the aluminium frame, along with some nicks along Jony Ive's carefully diamond-cut chamfered edge of the device. Well, at least the glass didn't crack! (Luckylucky I was. It should have shattered to hell and back after that bizarre escape attempt!)

So yeah. Anything you wear on your wrist is going to get scratched, probably sooner rather than later. And PLEASE, for the love of grud, don't buy a damned bumper or a screen cover for the Watch. You're going to look stupid, the Watch is huge enough as it is, no point in making it even bigger. Also, you'll be hiding away the awesome design of the thing by covering it up like that. The Watch was born to be shown off!

And finally, you'll be replacing it anyway in a number of years (not many though.) This isn't a family heirloom, it's got obsolescence designed into it from the beginning. While it may have a longer lifespan in the form of software updates and whatnot compared to an iPhone, I wouldn't expect it to be all that much longer. It's a gadget, built by a consumer goods company that makes the vast majority of its money from selling us gadgets. If we just held on to them forever, Apple would wither.

So yeah, expect to have to replace this thing after 4-5 years or so. You'll WANT to replace it by then anyway, because technology will have moved ahead so much by then that our first-gen Watches will be looking real clunky by then (and quite possibly not performing very smoothly either anymore...) Just compare the original iPhone with the iPhone4, the difference is huge on every level (at least as long as you're holding it right! )

....but this is the first watch introduced in history.

You're right. Steve Jobs invented the wristwatch - and by extension, the smartwatch - just before he died.