How To Remove From A Gold Watch

(Last Updated 29.05.2019)

Gold, even though it is a metal, is actually very soft, which is why scratching it is always a concern when you wear a gold watch.

You might find a few scratches on your watch, regardless of whether it is yellow solid gold or gold plated.

If you are asking: How To Remove Scratches From A Gold Watch. No matter what gold watch you own, this article covers it all.

You should be careful with your watch. However, scratches can happen even if you’re very careful.

You should use these methods with care and make sure to test the results on a hidden surface. If precious stones are embedded in the watch, avoid polishing, plating or buffing them.

Removing Scratches From A Solid Gold Watch

Gold watch
Credit Phillipe Tatler
  • Diamond Paste

If toothpaste does not work, you can try diamond paste. You will need a small amount of both the 3-micron paste (and 2.5-micron) paste. With a cottonball, apply the 3-micron paste on the watch. Then, use a soft, circular motion to rub the face, focusing on the scratches. This paste can be wiped off with a cotton ball. Next, apply the 2.5-micron paste to the watch and rub it in circular motions until it is completely gone.

  • Scratch cleaners

If neither of these methods works, you can use scratch cleaners from the market. Follow the instructions and do not use them on gold. Scratch cleaners can be either powders or pastes that contain a mild abrasive. These cleaners come in tubes or cans.

You should look for scratch cleaners that contain high-quality ingredients and are safe for glass and soft metals. The powdered version is known as jewelers’ rouge. It gets its red colour from iron oxide. Before being used as a paste-type scrubber, these powdered scratch cleansers must be mixed in water or with light oils like olive oil.

A A product for silver and gold, Silvo, is a well-known metal cleaning brand called Brasso. This scratch and tarnish remover is safe for gold or silver and can remove tarnish, discoloration, and minor scratches. Silvo comes in a liquid version that can be applied using a clean, soft cloth.

  • Polishing cloth

Most jewelry stores or online retailers will have polishing cloths that can be used to buff scratches out of gold. These cloths don’t need to be treated with chemicals and rely on their unique characteristics to remove scratches from gold.

You should be aware that too much polishing of your gold watch can cause damage and wear. To be safe, use a polishing cloth only once every two to three month on a gold watch.

  • Rotary Tools

Also available for use with an everyday household electric drill, grinder or other rotary tool are felt-tipped polishing accessories. These accessories are made from wool and can smoothen out metal surfaces while the drill turns them. The rotary tools are useful in removing scratches from a gold watch by removing a layer of fine gold.

  • Professional Polishing

If none of the DIY methods above helps restore your gold watch, or you are afraid to damage it further, seek professional help. With their polishing services, most professional jewelers are able to restore the luster to your golden watch.

Your gold watch will be restored to its original condition by the jeweler using specialized tools and techniques. This can usually be done while you wait. A few professional jewelers are also able to replate watches in gold. However, it is important that the manufacturer authorizes this service.

  • Use Toothpaste

Sometimes home remedies actually do work, as in the case of using toothpaste to remove scratches from a gold watch. Regular toothpaste is abrasive, containing tiny particles that lightly “sand” the surface of your teeth and can do the same your watch to take off minor scratches. For removing scratches from a gold watch, use regular white non-gel toothpaste.

Baking soda can be added to the toothpaste for a more aggressive abrasion. You will also need cotton pads, balls and buds, as well as a soft cloth to clean the watch.

You can locate scratches by shining a bright light on them. Use a cotton ball, a cleaning cloth or your watch to apply a little toothpaste. Use a cotton ball or cleaning cloth to rub the toothpaste into the scratch.

Start by removing any scratches from the band. Use a cottonbud to reach into grooves. Next, move on to the watch case and the bezel. Be careful not to scratch the glass. After waiting a while, use a moistened soft towel to remove the toothpaste. Use small circular polishing movements.

Deep scratches will not be removed with toothpaste alone, so it is worth looking for another method.

Top Products for Removing Scratches From A Solid Gold Watch

1. Rolite Midas Touch Metal Polish

Available in cream or liquid, this metal polish not only removes light scratches and tarnish, but it also protects metals such as gold from becoming scratched in the first place.

Link (Amazon)

Link (Manufacturer)

2. Mayflower Polishing Cloth

Made of high-quality fabric, polishing cloths remove light scratches while cleaning the surface of the gold watch.

Link (Amazon)

Link (Manufacturer)

3. Dremel Felt Polishing Tip

felt polishing cone

For use with an electric tool, felt polishing tips, wheels, and pads are safe for most metal surfaces including gold.

Link (Amazon)

Link (Manufacturer)

Removing Scratches From A Gold Plated Watch

You may own a gold plated watch rather than a solid gold watch and, if so, many of the same methods described above for a solid gold watch are also appropriate for use on a gold plated watch as well.

A Watches that are gold-plated refer to thin layers of gold that have been applied to the surface of another metal (typically silver or copper) using an electrochemical or chemical process known as plating.

a scratched watch

The gold plating may tarnish or become discolored over time.

Watches plated with high-quality gold have the same appearance and durability as watches made of high-carat gold or gold-filled.

However, eventually the gold will wear away and expose the metal. Wear like this can only ever be repaired professionally.

To maintain your gold plated watch:

  • Clean your watch after each wearing by wiping with a damp cloth, as gold plating can be damaged by sulfides in human sweat or by chlorine and harsh cleaning solutions. Cleaning solutions such as vinegar or ammonia should not be used on your watch.
  • When not in use, wrap jewelry in a chamois fabric or in a watch storage bag. Don’t store it with other watches or jewelry which can scratch or rub.
  • Use a jeweler’s cloth to rub away any scratches. To remove scratches, use a microfiber cloth (or a special gold polishing cloth). You should not rub too hard as the gold plating may be very thin and can be removed or scratched further by friction.
  • To gently buff away scratches on a gold-plated watch, use a regular pencil eraser. An ink-removal eraser is more abrasive that a pencil eraser. This type of eraser works well on a brush-finished watch. Follow the directions of the brush finish and use it slowly.
  • You can also use toothpaste to remove scratches from gold-plated watches, just like a solid-gold watch. Be careful not to damage the gold plating by using toothpaste on a gold-plated watch.
  • New to the market, fiberglass polishing pens or so-called “scratch brushes” are also worth a try, especially on a brushed-finish watch. To remove scratches from printed circuit boards and battery contacts, fiberglass pens can be used in the direction that the brush finish is.
  • Brasso also has Silvo, a companion product that works with silver, gold and gold-filled watches. But, be aware that Silvo will not remove any gold plating. When buffing, be conservative and gentle. Original Brasso can also smoothen light scratches on acrylic watch glass crystals.

You can practice on any piece of metal, even a watch, that’s not as precious as your gold or silver plated watch.

Before you start to scratch your watch, you can practice on another surface to get used the method or tool. Try your scratch removal method first on a hidden part.

Top Products for Removing Scratches From A Gold Plated Watch

1. Silvo

From the makers of Brasso, Silvo is safer and more effective on gold and silver watches or jewelry. You can buy liquid versions of pre-moistened wadding or canisters.

Link (Amazon)

Link (Manufacturer)

2.Fiberglass Scratch Pen Brush

Fiberglass Scratch Brush Pen Type

Scratch pens, when used gently, can lessen the appearance of scratches. These pens are ideal for watches made of brush-finished gold.

Link (Amazon)

3. Jewelry Polishing Cloth

simpleshine

Polishing cloths contain light abrasive that polishes away tarnish, scratches, and oils to give watches a like-new luster.

Link (Amazon)

Link (Manufacturer)

Removing Scratches From A Rose Gold Watch

In the past few years, rose gold has become more and more popular as a watch material as well as other jewelry, home décor, and even nail polish. You may worry about scratches if you own a rose-gold watch.

rose gold

The same tips are applicable, since rose gold is a type of gold just like yellow or white. It is simply a variation of gold that has more copper. This gives it a pink- or rose-colored hue.

Pure gold (24-karat) is far too soft to be used for watches or other jewelry. Mixing metal alloys with gold creates different karats of gold, as well as different colors like rose.

Rose gold, which contains more copper than the alloy that made it, is becoming increasingly popular. Due to the high levels of copper in this alloy, rose gold watches are not hypoallergenic. A A rose gold watch has the advantage of being very durable due to its alloy content.

Rose gold jewelry is most susceptible to tarnishing or losing its luster. Tinting occurs when sulfur-related substances react with the jewelry.

Rose gold doesn’t require rhodium plating to protect its surface. This means that tarnishing might occur more quickly than other alloys of gold.

To brighten a dull rose gold watch, chemical tarnishers can be used. Polishing the plating will also help to restore its surface. Chemical tarnish relievers dissolve the discoloration, then fill in any small scratches on the watch’s surface to prevent future tarnishing.

Top Products for Removing Scratches From A Rose Gold Watch

1. Brasso

A chemical tarnish remover, Brasso is effective on rose gold watches for removing minor scratches and clearing tarnish for a like-new appearance.

Link (Amazon)

Link (Manufacturer)

2. Sparkle Bright

tarnish remover and polishing creamThis jewelry polishing cream works on any type of gold, including rose gold. It can remove scratches and tarnish, and polish and protect.

Link (Amazon)

Link (Manufacturer)

3. Connoisseurs Jewelry Cleaning Liquid with Polishing Cloth

connosisseurs_jewelry_cleaner

Use the liquid to remove tarnish and impurities from your rose gold watch by brushing it on rather than soaking. Use a damp cloth to wipe the solution off and dry it before applying the polishing cloth. This will remove any minor scratches.

Link (Amazon)

Link (Manufacturer)

Prevent Scratches on Your Gold Watch

No matter what type of gold – solid, plated, gold, white or rose – prevent scratches from happening in the first place is easy.

    • After getting dressed, put on your watch. This will ensure that your watch is not inadvertently scratched as you adjust and change clothes.
    • Your gold watch can be scratched or tarnished by perfumes, lotions, underarm deodorant and perfumes. After these products are dry, it is best not to put your watch on.
    • Your gold watch should not be worn to bed, while you are working around the house, gardening, performing manual labor, or at night. These activities could cause your watch to be scratched by hard surfaces. You may also notice wear and scratching from dirt or debris that has become stuck in the band of your watch or lugs.
    • Your gold watch should be kept out of hot tubs and pools as the chlorine can cause damage to gold.
    • Your watch should be kept in the original box. It shouldn’t touch jewelry or other metal surfaces. Online retailers sell soft cloth bags that are specifically designed for keeping watches safe.

store your rolex

  • You should avoid solid gold. Instead, choose a higher alloy blend like 14K gold to make your watch more scratch-resistant. There are also models made of tungsten carbide, and other materials, that are 100% scratchproof for those who are more prone than others to scratching their watches.

FAQ:

Q: What is gold plating? 

A: Gold plating applies a thin layer of gold over another metal, such as copper or silver, to create a shiny and attractive appearance.

Q: How can gold plating get scratched? 

A: Gold plating can get scratched by abrasive materials, chemicals, or friction that can damage or wear off the thin layer of gold.

Q: How can I prevent gold plating from getting scratched? 

A: Avoid wearing gold-plated jewelry when applying perfume, makeup, or hairspray.

Clean gold-plated jewelry with a soft cloth and mild detergent after wearing it.

Remove gold-plated jewelry when exercising, swimming, or doing household chores.

Q: How can I remove scratches from gold plating? 

A: You can remove scratches from gold plating using a gold polishing cloth or a jeweler’s rouge to buff the surface and smooth the scratches. However, this method may also remove some of the gold layer, so it should be done sparingly and carefully.

People save their gold watches for special occasions, and don’t wear them on a daily basis. You shouldn’t worry about scratching a watch if it is a lovely piece of jewelry.

You should take good care of your watch, and be careful when you remove scratches. This guide will help you keep your watch in great condition for many generations.

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