Brushing a Brassy Bulova

[KristinTech]

I got a Bulova watch at the Bon Ton / Boston/ Carson /Bergner’s liquidation. It was 70% off and only about $50. I’d like to wear it occasionally, but I think I’d like it better with an SOS pad taken to it.

Has anyone tried this on a watch? I just want to dull its sparkle a bit, lol.

Cartier trinity and @stonewell ‘s rose cut five stone for color reference. The five stone is a “rosy” yellow, typical of the era.

 

[OoohShiny]

Nothing wrong with taking a scouring pad to something shiny that would look better less shiny!

You could even 'mask off' the outer or inner sections on the bracelet so they remained polished, if you wanted to mix it up a bit.

As long as you brush in a consistent direction on the bracelet, so the brushing is all straight, it should look great IMHO

You could brush round the dial so it follows the curves!


I think @Jimmianne brushed her new setting recently, to let her new Yoram stone take centre stage!

 

[liaerfbv]

Do ittttttttttt. I've never done it to a watch, but to a ring with stellar results. You may have to really work to get in some of the nooks but overall I think it would look great brushed!

 

[KristinTech]

So I was halfway joking about the SOS pad—but is that the best tool for this job? I took better pics of the watch. I like the idea of brushing the large middle links and leaving the smaller outer ones shiny. What to do with the rims around the face? There are two.

 

[OoohShiny]

I'm sure it's just a case of taking a scouring pad to it - if you use sandpaper then it might be too abrasive, unless you use a super-fine grain.

That blue masking tape could be applied to the side sections and the head, to avoid scratching them!

It's hard to decide what I'd do with the head, though - usually any 'polished highlights' are round a watch's dial, which would mean leaving the centre ring polished, but that would mean having to brush the rest and 'overlapping' the brushed area with the (now brushed) link that attaches to the case. (Which I think would look fine, IMHO!)

I think start with the bracelet and then decide on the head when you can see how it looks!

 

[missy]

Blue masking tape on face of watch so it doesn't scratch the crystal.
Then 3M makes different grits of abrasive pads and start with the most aggressive and move your way down and no need to scratch in a particular direction because as you move down to the less abrasive pads the large scratch marks will be eliminated and you will only have dull scratches. By the time you are using the least abrasive pad you won't be able to see the scratches themselves and will just see a dull surface. You are just taking off the gloss. Be patient and in the beginning it will look more scary but it will end up not scary. Just move from most abrasive to least abrasive pads. HTH.

 

[Garnetgirl]

I've never done this to jewellery, but I have done a fair bit of furniture refinishing.
I suggest starting somewhere unnoticeable, such as near the clasp, to 'practice'. Perhaps start with a slightly finer grit than you think you'll need, just to see the effect. When you decide what grit you need, then I would continue as Missy suggested.
Good luck!

 

[stracci2000]

Have you done this sort of thing before? Be careful.
I think sandpaper is too harsh for jewelry. You might use too much pressure and go through the "gold" color down to the silver colored base metal.
I would suggest going to the hardware store and buying a very small brass brush. They look a little like a toothbrush with a wooden handle and brass bristles.
The brass is soft, and you can stroke back and forth on the bright finish to dull it. And as others have said, cover the crystal with masking or painter's tape.
Good luck!

 

[KristinTech]

I think I will leave the face shiny and just concentrate on the middle links. Here is the work in progress! I tried to show it in different angles. I’m going over it again with a finer grit to soften the look of the brushwork.

 

[KristinTech]

My dd came out to paint rocks while I did my second pass!



Project deemed successful! I am experimenting with watch sizes for a luxury watch I hope to purchase in early 2019. This size is too small for my taste, but I thought it was worth the $50 to have the rose gold color. I appreciate everyone’s help! Now that I know how easy this is, I may be tempted to browse pawn shops with new eyes.

 

[stracci2000]

My dd came out to paint rocks while I did my second pass!



Project deemed successful! I am experimenting with watch sizes for a luxury watch I hope to purchase in early 2019. This size is too small for my taste, but I thought it was worth the $50 to have the rose gold color. I appreciate everyone’s help! Now that I know how easy this is, I may be tempted to browse pawn shops with new eyes.

Yay! It looks great!

 

[KristinTech]

Took some before and afters in the same bathroom lighting, just for reference.




After:

 

[KristinTech]

It’s subtle, but it makes all the difference for me!

 

[asscherisme]

It looks great! I really like it!