The Apple Watch SS scratch thread [MERGED]

[KauaiBruce]

Shine it up, take a picture of it on you, put it back in the box. Show everyone the picture since that seems to be all some of you really want from the watch.

Yes, SS does this. I am guessing most of the people freaked out about it have no previous experience with this this type of material. What shocks me the most is the people who are totally freaked out about the scratches are careless enough with it to even get a scratch.

My new name for scratch gate is 'babygate'

 

[mavis]

Ok forget the watch, what is/was your involvement with the light saber?

I commissioned a 'local' saber smith to make it for me, having wanted one since I saw a Graflex replica ESB prop when I was eight years old. Only took me thirty years to get one!

Mine was made using TCSS MHS parts, and was designed to approximate Luke's ANH saber. I ended up making the emitter ring myself, using a hacksawed bit of aluminum pipe I bought on Amazon. It was roughly machined and even more poorly cut (by me) but I ended up sanding it down to a beautiful satin finish on the outside, and a mirror finish on the inside. My point in this thread was that you can, in fact, polish aluminum to a mirror finish. I used various grit sandpaper (starting at 800, then 1000, 2000, 4000 and finally 8000) followed by Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish.

 

[mavis]

I hit my watch pretty hard yesterday, right on the edge of a tempered glass counter. It not only scratched but actually gouged the case, right below the screen. I guess I got lucky there - if it had been the screen that got hit, it may have chipped or shattered.

Anyway, I masked the screen with a piece of cellophane tape when I got home and then sanded the scratches down with 800, 1500, and finally 2000 grit sandpaper. I then cut a few Q-Tips in half, put a little Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish on the tips, and fitted them in a battery powered dremel I have, using them to buff the casing out. The end result was pretty damn good! I'm attaching before and after shots.

 

[leebroath]

I hit my watch pretty hard yesterday, right on the edge of a tempered glass counter. It not only scratched but actually gouged the case, right below the screen. I guess I got lucky there - if it had been the screen that got hit, it may have chipped or shattered.

Anyway, I masked the screen with a piece of cellophane tape when I got home and then sanded the scratches down with 800, 1500, and finally 2000 grit sandpaper. I then cut a few Q-Tips in half, put a little Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish on the tips, and fitted them in a battery powered dremel I have, using them to buff the casing out. The end result was pretty damn good! I'm attaching before and after shots.

Well done that man!

Jesus that's a really good job you've done mate

I bet you were really wary of going near the glass

 

[mavis]

Well done that man!

Jesus that's a really good job you've done mate

I bet you were really wary of going near the glass

Thanks! I was nervous, but just went slow and was really careful. I masked the sapphire with some tape so it was somewhat protected; anyway the main thing is that polish. That stuff is awesome!! I have a dollar store dremel - literally, it cost like $1.50 - and if you remove the bit, you can fit a Q-Tip stem in there. It's perfect! A little Mother's on the tip, and just buff the casing out. It looks brand new!

 

[WilliamG]

Thanks! I was nervous, but just went slow and was really careful. I masked the sapphire with some tape so it was somewhat protected; anyway the main thing is that polish. That stuff is awesome!! I have a dollar store dremel - literally, it cost like $1.50 - and if you remove the bit, you can fit a Q-Tip stem in there. It's perfect! A little Mother's on the tip, and just buff the casing out. It looks brand new!

Well that settles it. You did a really excellent job. If you're clumsy, the SS model is so worth it.

 

[mavis]

Well that settles it. You did a really excellent job. If you're clumsy, the SS model is so worth it.

Hey, who are you calling clumsy?!

Actually I'm not clumsy at all - just not really used to wearing a watch. I haven't worn one regularly since I was like 15. So, 20+ years.

 

[WilliamG]

Hey, who are you calling clumsy?!

Actually I'm not clumsy at all - just not really used to wearing a watch. I haven't worn one regularly since I was like 15. So, 20+ years.

Hah, well we're all clumsy at times. Watches are easily slammed.

 

[Black Belt]

If you're prone to destroying watches, just buy more!

 

[iLoveMyApple]

I tend to baby my Apple products when I first get them and then over time I slowly stop caring. After the first scratch I get over it. Plus I like a little wear and tear on my devices. Especially my iPhones. It gives them character. I don't know, maybe I'm weird.

 

[studIOS5]

I hit my watch pretty hard yesterday, right on the edge of a tempered glass counter. It not only scratched but actually gouged the case, right below the screen. I guess I got lucky there - if it had been the screen that got hit, it may have chipped or shattered.

Anyway, I masked the screen with a piece of cellophane tape when I got home and then sanded the scratches down with 800, 1500, and finally 2000 grit sandpaper. I then cut a few Q-Tips in half, put a little Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish on the tips, and fitted them in a battery powered dremel I have, using them to buff the casing out. The end result was pretty damn good! I'm attaching before and after shots.

First of all, GREAT JOB. That thing looks PERFECT. I honestly think this particular case deserves a new thread with your easy to follow instructions. I've had my watch for 3 days and have looked like a fool avoiding the inevitable. I have AppleCare, but I was still worried about scratching on everything but you have singlehandedly put my mind at ease.

So for that I thank you ###

 

[mbaturin]

I hit my watch pretty hard yesterday, right on the edge of a tempered glass counter. It not only scratched but actually gouged the case, right below the screen. I guess I got lucky there - if it had been the screen that got hit, it may have chipped or shattered.

Anyway, I masked the screen with a piece of cellophane tape when I got home and then sanded the scratches down with 800, 1500, and finally 2000 grit sandpaper. I then cut a few Q-Tips in half, put a little Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish on the tips, and fitted them in a battery powered dremel I have, using them to buff the casing out. The end result was pretty damn good! I'm attaching before and after shots.

I did something similar - dropped it into my sink taking it off to do dishes. It hit the corner of the sink. I buffed for about 2 hours with Brasso. This is as good as i can get it. After seeing your post, I still have some hope that I might be able to get rid of it completely. Do you think some Brasso on the tip of QTips put into a dremel might buff this away completely?

 

[cruzmisl]

I tend to baby my Apple products when I first get them and then over time I slowly stop caring. After the first scratch I get over it. Plus I like a little wear and tear on my devices. Especially my iPhones. It gives them character. I don't know, maybe I'm weird.

Same here. I was really bummed when I got my first nick on my iPhone 5. But now it is full of them. I like it.

The SS will age nicely short of a screen shatter.

 

[mavis]

I did something similar - dropped it into my sink taking it off to do dishes. It hit the corner of the sink. I buffed for about 2 hours with Brasso. This is as good as i can get it. After seeing your post, I still have some hope that I might be able to get rid of it completely. Do you think some Brasso on the tip of QTips put into a dremel might buff this away completely?

I don't know about Brasso, but if you follow my method exactly, your watch will look brand new.

Buy sandpaper in various grits - I'd start with 800, then do 1000 or 1500, and finally 2000. You really only need a tiny piece of each, but starting with the 800, sand that spot/area fairly aggressively and then move on to the next grit. I did mine wet, too - literally a single drop of water is enough. Finally, after you've finished sanding with the 2000 grit, touch the tip of a Q-Tip into the tin of Mother's, and polish it manually or by fitting the Q-Tip into a dremel. The Q-Tip will almost immediately turn black, as the Mother's does its thing. When it does, get a fresh Q-Tip and repeat. I went though about five (each cut in half, so 10 tips) but the results were pretty much the same after the first few.

Once you get the hang of it, it's actually a pretty quick procedure. I could probably do it again, start to finish (including prep time) in less than 10 minutes.

 

[mbaturin]

I don't know about Brasso, but if you follow my method exactly, your watch will look brand new.

Buy sandpaper in various grits - I'd start with 800, then do 1000 or 1500, and finally 2000. You really only need a tiny piece of each, but starting with the 800, sand that spot/area fairly aggressively and then move on to the next grit. I did mine wet, too - literally a single drop of water is enough. Finally, after you've finished sanding with the 2000 grit, touch the tip of a Q-Tip into the tin of Mother's, and polish it manually or by fitting the Q-Tip into a dremel. The Q-Tip will almost immediately turn black, as the Mother's does its thing. When it does, get a fresh Q-Tip and repeat. I went though about five (each cut in half, so 10 tips) but the results were pretty much the same after the first few.

Once you get the hang of it, it's actually a pretty quick procedure. I could probably do it again, start to finish (including prep time) in less than 10 minutes.

Awesome - Going to try this tonight. Today I'm noticing the Brasso seems to have taken some of the glean off of the watch. Hopefully the mothers will bring it back.

 

[mbaturin]

I don't know about Brasso, but if you follow my method exactly, your watch will look brand new.

Buy sandpaper in various grits - I'd start with 800, then do 1000 or 1500, and finally 2000. You really only need a tiny piece of each, but starting with the 800, sand that spot/area fairly aggressively and then move on to the next grit. I did mine wet, too - literally a single drop of water is enough. Finally, after you've finished sanding with the 2000 grit, touch the tip of a Q-Tip into the tin of Mother's, and polish it manually or by fitting the Q-Tip into a dremel. The Q-Tip will almost immediately turn black, as the Mother's does its thing. When it does, get a fresh Q-Tip and repeat. I went though about five (each cut in half, so 10 tips) but the results were pretty much the same after the first few.

Once you get the hang of it, it's actually a pretty quick procedure. I could probably do it again, start to finish (including prep time) in less than 10 minutes.

I actually ran out and got the materials on my lunch break. Is the idea to sand it until the scratches are no longer there and then polish? How much sanding should I do? How do I know when I've done enough of each grit?

 

[mavis]

I actually ran out and got the materials on my lunch break. Is the idea to sand it until the scratches are no longer there and then polish? How much sanding should I do? How do I know when I've done enough of each grit?

Yes, the idea is to sand the scratches away, for the most part, or at least to make the difference in height (?) between the edge of the scratch and its deepest point less pronounced. Start with the 1500 or even the 2000, if you want to test it out. My scratch was really quite deep, so I started with a coarser grit and actually I ended up going through the whole process twice, just to get it perfect. Make sure to sand it with deliberate, careful motions, but that Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish will get rid of any scratches the sandpaper leaves.

 

[mbaturin]

Yes, the idea is to sand the scratches away, for the most part, or at least to make the difference in height (?) between the edge of the scratch and its deepest point less pronounced. Start with the 1500 or even the 2000, if you want to test it out. My scratch was really quite deep, so I started with a coarser grit and actually I ended up going through the whole process twice, just to get it perfect. Make sure to sand it with deliberate, careful motions, but that Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish will get rid of any scratches the sandpaper leaves.

Man, I don't know what to say other than - THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Followed your technique using 800, then 1500, then 2000 - then used Mag and Alum Polish - and check it out. You would never know anything happened to it! I'm very very very relieved to know this works and can work in the future (although I hope I won't need it again).

 

[5105973]

A few days ago I finally got a small scuff composed of tiny microscratches but it's down low about level to the mic. I can't really see it while I'm wearing the watch. So I'm not going to bother with it.

But I'm amazed it took so long to get such an insignificant scuff when I've been out gardening and getting covered in grit and sand and getting sweaty and reaching through bushes and brambles to pull weeds. My watch should look like hell but aside from fingerprint smudges, it looks great. And I would have expected any scratches or scuffs to show on more visible parts of the watch. Not an odd location so close to my skin.

 

[iConnected]

Anything will scratch guys, but the Stainless Steel is harder then Aluminum, so Stainless Steel will have less risk of scratching in everyday use.

Remember Stainless Steel has been on watches for almost a century, its a fairly cheap and durable material that also looks good as jewelry. It wouldn't be that popular if it looked like the back of an iPod after a few months use.

Pretty sure the back of the iPod doesn't have the same strength Stainless Steel that the watch will have.

Interesting article here:

http://www.imore.com/apple-watch-and-durability

Some points made there:

The aluminium / aluminum (US) used in the Apple Watch is technically actually harder than the stainless steel version.

But the metallurgical properties of the stainless steel can help to deflect knocks - and any actual scratches may look less bad on a stainless steel case than on anodised aluminium (and be buffed out, depending on where you dinged it).

The Space Black DLC case can prove much tougher, subject to the quality of the coating.

Similar, though less technical, article here: http://9to5mac.com/2015/04/26/apple-watch-fix-scratches/

 

[mavis]

Man, I don't know what to say other than - THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Followed your technique using 800, then 1500, then 2000 - then used Mag and Alum Polish - and check it out. You would never know anything happened to it! I'm very very very relieved to know this works and can work in the future (although I hope I won't need it again).

Dude, it looks great! Good job!!!

I'm glad it worked as well for you as it did for me. Like you said, it's relieving to know that you can fix this stuff if it ever happens again.

 

[HopefulHumanist]

I have 3 minor smudge-like scratches [but definitely not smudges] on my link bracelet and I've only worn it twice. Is this something I should try to get a replacement over or is it par for the course?

 

[cruzmisl]

I have 3 minor smudge-like scratches [but definitely not smudges] on my link bracelet and I've only worn it twice. Is this something I should try to get a replacement over or is it par for the course?

[url=http://i.imgur.com/3Al1Xv7m.jpg]Image[/url]

[url=http://i.imgur.com/1JVwMgZm.jpg]Image[/url]

If you've ever had any watch with a band like this, it is just going to keep getting them, and over time it will look "worn" and have character. So returning it will do no good and probably make you look crazy, IMO.

 

[Kahalu'u Bob]

Yep. I got a scratch on my link bracelet in the first 30 minutes! I have no idea how it happened, unless it perhaps came that way and I didn't notice it. But every link bracelet I've ever owned gets that way soon enough, including one that is made of titanium. And I don't see any other scratches on the Apple link bracelet after several days of wear, so I don't have a reason to believe the Apple bracelet is unusually fragile for some reason. I think it will just become part of the patina.

 

[trek360]

My first war wound. Not sure how it happened. Especially on that part of the case.