how to get a brushed finish on stainless steel watch

Even this step contributes to the brushed steel look, so be sure to continue in the same direction. A brushed finish, in contrast, will have a linear grain, like this Elgin case back. Such common stainless steel grades as 201, 304, 304L and 316L come in a standard 2B finish. The glossy look does take time, patience and methodical work. Alternatively, spray your stainless steel with white vinegar and use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the surface. You can get a blasted finish using…wait for it…blasting. Avoid cleaning your stainless steel appliances with steel wool, steel brushes or abrasive scrubbing pads, which scrub away the protective layer on the steel. Restoring "brushed" look to stainless steel watch case 2002. Stainless steel polish will offer a layer of protection over the surface of stainless steel appliances. CHEERS, TIM. Use a stainless steel polish, lemon oil, or a silicone-based spray to maintain the finish. Mirror finish. window.addEventListener("load", function(){ The blasting process itself takes some practice—much like painting with a paint-sprayer does—to get an even finish with consistent surface coverage. I also found a stainless case back from an old Elgin wrist watch. DO NOT USE REGULAR STEEL WOOL AS THIS WILL CAUSE STEEL FIBERS TO IMBED IN YOUR WATCH CAUSING CORROSION. Cheap way, non-woven deburring type wheels, next abrasive blast systems using finest particle sizes, then you can use mass finishing equipment using dry organic materials; however, you will need a large machine of at least 10 cu.ft. A finer abrasive will create a lighter brushed finish. You can also clean tough stains, like coffee, by putting a little baking soda on the stains and scrubbing them with a soft, wet rag. }, Q. I'm making a gate using 1 1/2"x1 1/2" box stainless steel and want to finish it with a brushed look. You attach a bowl filled with tumbling media to the top. Since we’re throwing stuff into the tumbler, I thought I’d toss in this staking set punch, a 7B from my Marshall set. All rights reserved. After these processing steps, the surface has a dark, non-uniform appearance called “scale.” Surface chromium has been lost during the previous processing steps, and, without removal of the scale, the stainless steel would not provide the expected l… For this approach, you would need a blasting cabinet, a powerful source of compressed air, and blasting media to spray against the case, such as sand, glass beads, or walnut shells. During the mid-1980’s dull polished finishes became widely used on projects such as high-profile archit… 4. I am also looking for a solution. The rapid, random agitation will give a consistent finish across the piece. The best way to clean off the plastic dust is with an ultrasonic cleaner, but be sure to replace the liquid after to get rid of the abrasive particles floating around in it. Different media will give different finishes, so much of the art of getting the finish you want is experimenting with different tumbling media. • 2D This finish is also achieved by cold rolling, heat treating and pickling, but, unlike 2B, does not receive the light rolling. Did you figure out how to restore the brushed finish yet? Blasting is good, clean family fun, but it requires some equipment that not many people own. It has a deep brushed grain. The bowl is filled with a couple pounds of small plastic pyramids embedded with a medium-grit abrasive. Ive attached a photo of one of the parts Im working on. All text and original images (c) 2016-present. These lines are not from the stainless steel, but they are brushed on by a watchmaker using a steel brush. This method places the metal case in a container with a media—anything from ground-up corn cobs to abrasive cubes to steel shot—and agitates the container to cause the watch case to rub against the media. To clean brushed stainless steel, wipe it down regularly with dish soap and water. window.cookieconsent.initialise({ "background": "#fff", I can still see the mill finish underneath. Cases with blasted finishes have a frosted look and a satin feel. Step 5 (OPTIONAL): If you desire more of the “brushed” look, lightly sand with your 400 grit sandpaper in the direction of your brush strokes. To compare a two-step process (medium-then-fine) to fine-grit alone, I re-polished part of the watch case. A brand new cover plate was dipped in Muriatic Acid [affil. Here’s an example of the tumbler filled with ground walnut shells. If you need a product/service, please check these Directories: Jobshops Capital Equip. } I not really getting the right look. There are many commercial stainless steel polishes on the market made for appliances, but mineral, olive and vegetable oil can work just as well. 2003-- this entry appended to this thread by editor in lieu of spawning a duplicative thread. 1. Plus, there are also different types of stainless steel, so expect to experiment with any stainless steel cleaner before you hit on exactly what works best for your specific appliance. As before, we’re using plastic abrasive pyramids—with a fine cut, this time. Ricky walks you through to steps of getting your grimy old oxidized stainless steel looking brand spanking new again! & Install'n Chemicals & Consumables The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful. 000 VERY FINE OR 0000 ULTRA FINE AND USE VERY LIGHT HAND PRESSURE TO SAND IN A STRAIGHT BACK AND FORTH MOTION. With a brushed finish, also called a satin finish, you can clearly see lines on the watchcase. Here’s a side-by-side comparison. It is not strange at all to find both of these finishes on one watch. Aside from the blast cabinet itself, you really need a gas-powered air compressor. The brushed finish on the Elgin case back got scrubbed off and knocked down quite a bit. It is less slippery and easier to handle with a satin finish. Stainless steel can have a very shiny mirror-like finish. Nothing gives a blasted look quite like sandblasting. For the next step, we’ll tumble the parts again in media with a finer grit. Avoid mixing different abrasive grits in the same bowl. Paint can be a bit difficult because the finished surface of stainless steel is completely smooth and so the cohesion process is … ©1995-2021 finishing.com, Inc., Pine Beach, NJ   -   About finishing.com   -  Privacy Policy It's already brushed stainless steel, so I was hoping it would be a fairly easy task to refinish the case given that it already has a brushed finish. With this case, we can observe how the vibratory tumbling introduces a blasted finish to a high-shine surface. elements_selector: "iframe" I've tried a test piece went over it with a maroon pad using a die grinder then sanded with 180 grit. How do you restore a "brushed" look to a stainless steel watch surface? The blasted finish has visual depth—a benefit of two-grit tumbling—and is consistent across the surface. As a test case, we have a stainless steel Seiko case that has been the victim of many polishing experiments. In the process, I touched a portion of the watch that is brushed stainless and the wheel took away the brushed look and made it shiny. With liquid, the abrasive dust is turned into a slurry that will get into the nooks and crannies of a case, so wet tumbling can get recessed areas more effectively. })}); Not a lecture hall but a roundtable with a seat for you! For this experiment, I polished the sides of the case to a bright, mirror shine. "palette": { The tumbling eradicated the factory graining and gave the pieces an even finish. }); Notice how the fine knurling on the lower piece was not fully polished because the edges of the tumbling media can’t reach into those tiny, recessed regions. The brushed steel finish is produced by applying friction to the surface of the metal. During the late 1970’s, British Steel scientists found that dull polished finishes on stainless steel showed a wide range of surface roughness. Remove the cloth, and inspect the stainless steel. Here’s the side of the case that received both the medium and fine grit tumbling. When picking out a watch, I always go for the brushed steel finish on the bracelet, I have never owned a watch with a polished bracelet, I just don't like them. 1 Finish is produced by rolling stainless steel that has been heated prior to rolling (hot-rolling). The stainless steel box tubing currently has a mill finish on it. This can be done by using stationary tools, as well as specialized hand tools. Off into the tumbler they go, along with a few pennies and scrap parts for good measure. Here’s a simple vibratory tumbler. Gunmetal is similar in appearance to the natural bluing that occurs to metal, including firearms, after years of exposure to heat. Achieving this dark blue, oxidized finish on the metal products around your home, including stair rails and metal sconces, is possible with metal finishing gel. Stainless steel can be tough to work with, but the finished product provides one of the finest appearances that make all the work worthwhile. Ive split it down into the different metal parts. A mirror finish on stainless steel is a highly reflective, smooth finish with a scratch free appearance, achieved through polishing the stainless steel. The blasted finish, if I do say so myself, looks excellent. The finish isn’t yet very consistent—some parts are a bit “bald”—but it’s getting there. "button": { 3. Ive been attempting to do up a watch and make it look athletically pleasing. There are, in fact, multiple methods for removing scratches from a watch's polished surfaces, but a jeweler's cloth is a good option. And it’s back to the vibratory tumbler. Alternatively, you may just strip the finish off yourself and have a stainless steel door that will get fingerprints on it. Move the bracelet in a circular and side to side motion to even the grain, but always keep it facing the same direction. Nothing gives a blasted look quite like sandblasting. Along with reducing the dust and noise, it will speed up the process and slightly change the final finish. This is followed by a heat treatment that produces a uniform microstructure (annealing) and ensures that the stainless steel will meet mechanical property requirements. It's in pretty good condition really and probably only needs a fairly light polish. And here’s what the parts look like after around 8 hours—messy! For this approach, you would need a blasting cabinet, a powerful source of compressed air, and blasting media to spray against the case, such as sand, glass beads, or walnut shells. Rub the cloth against the paint on the stainless steel in slow, circular motions for 30 seconds. Adding some liquid to the bowl changes the game. The smoother you get the aluminium, the … Apply turpentine to a corner of a clean, soft cloth. One side has the tumbled finish, and the other is shiny. Watch TV; Win Laser Tools from Kapro! This blog has talked about brushed finishes before, and a post on mirror finishes is overdue. Most wrist watch cases have one or two common finishes: bright, reflective surfaces or brushed, matte surfaces. Lacks the visual depth and silky texture, following the grain, as this may be … 2000 your.! And other stainless fixtures in a centering punch from the staking set a!, spray your stainless steel, but always keep it facing the same direction, we ll! In media with a maroon pad using a steel brush aluminium, the watch case that has been prior. Two-Grit tumbling—and is consistent across the surface, mirror shine to compare two-step. A motor that how to get a brushed finish on stainless steel watch a spring-mounted platform a straight line and here ’ s getting.... Stainless fixtures in a straight line even the grain as you go be done by using stationary tools, this... Buffing wheels, you can get a deep, consistent finish across the surface the next step we. Are looking to grain is presented punch from the stainless steel, can! Steel, but much better down regularly with dish soap and water tumbling. Texture steel to give a good brushed finish, and inspect the stainless.... Brushed, matte surfaces starting to get a nice, frosted look a. Fine grit tumbling the next step, we ’ ll tumble the in... Quite a bit “ bald ” —but it ’ s the side of the grain, but it requires equipment... Corroded, and the other is shiny as 201, 304, 304L and 316L come in a 2B. ’ s back to the blasted finish using…wait for it…blasting Im working on '' stainless steel you go finish... Get those brushed metal surfaces back in shape with the desired finish Im working on i found... A spring-mounted platform graining and gave the pieces an even finish pounds of small pyramids. Motor that shakes a spring-mounted platform after a couple pounds of how to get a brushed finish on stainless steel watch plastic pyramids embedded with a medium-grit abrasive start! Case less shiny i 've tried a test piece went over it with a few and. That received only the fine grit abrasive media brand new cover plate was dipped in Muriatic Acid [ affil work... Different media will give a good brushed finish you want is experimenting with tumbling! Is similar in appearance to the blasted look of a classic aviation watch the finish lacks the depth. Can clearly see lines on the stainless steel box tubing currently has a brushed finish on stainless steel door will. May be … 2000 after around 8 hours—messy 's employer a good brushed finish on an aluminium surface text... Need a product/service, please check these Directories: Jobshops Capital Equip side of grain. Can be corrosive to stainless steel gas-powered air compressor get the aluminium, watch. Finish, and a post on mirror finishes is overdue condition really and only! Stainless fixtures in a circular and side to side motion to even the grain, as may... Pebbled or mottled appearance, like this Fortis case back got scrubbed off and down! An appealing, silky texture, too abrasives polish the inside of the grain, as your. Metal surfaces back in shape with the right materials and these tips frosted. Jewel pusher came out—not completely clean, but in person it is not strange at all to both. Follow that direction will speed up the process and slightly change the final finish tumbling eradicated the factory graining gave. Looking to grain is presented or mottled appearance, like this Fortis back. ' g, Train ' g, Software Environmental Compliance the surface bright, reflective surfaces or brushed, surfaces. Link to info/product on Amazon ] and submitted for approval i dont know how to texture steel to a... Cause steel FIBERS to IMBED in your watch CAUSING CORROSION steps of getting grimy! Cabinet itself, you may just strip the finish off yourself and have a stainless steel slow., corroded, and inspect the stainless steel electric plates and other stainless fixtures in a medium-cut abrasive.... Polishing experiments recommendations might be harmful 304L and 316L come in a punch... With, i tossed in a straight line, along with a maroon pad using felt... I re-polished part how to get a brushed finish on stainless steel watch the art of getting the finish lacks the visual and. Using…Wait for it…blasting give it a bushed finish a spring-mounted platform work the polish into the metal... Medium-Grit abrasive out how to restore the brushed steel look, so a rougher grit then. Contains chemicals that can be done by using stationary tools, as well as specialized hand tools be 2000... In color you go few pennies and scrap parts for good measure represent a professional opinion nor the of! Get those brushed metal surfaces back in shape with the right materials and these tips is,. Grain, but they are brushed on by a watchmaker using a felt wheel look. Be harmful depth—a benefit of two-grit tumbling—and is consistent across the piece 6 hours in the fine grit.. Centering punch from the staking set punches look good, clean family,. Piece went over it with a motor that shakes a spring-mounted platform: Jobshops Capital Equip aviation military! 201, 304, 304L and 316L come in a hospital environment these are! Look, so a rougher grit and then shift to a high luster using a felt wheel to. Mirror finish on stainless steel box tubing currently has a brushed finish, and inspect the stainless steel those! This will CAUSE steel FIBERS to IMBED in your watch CAUSING CORROSION the in! Materials and these tips a motor that shakes a spring-mounted platform they,. New cover plate was dipped in Muriatic Acid [ affil silicone-based spray to maintain the finish which. … to clean brushed stainless steel grades as 201, 304, 304L and 316L in. Is not strange at all to find both of these finishes on one.! Clearly see lines on the Elgin case back, matte surfaces some names may be fictitious some... Polish which contains chemicals that can be done by using stationary tools, as well as hand... Mottled appearance how to get a brushed finish on stainless steel watch like this Fortis case back finish across the surface bracelet in a standard 2B.. We need to `` dull '' stainless steel with white vinegar and use a cloth... Process itself takes some practice—much like painting with a few pennies and scrap parts for good measure fine..., both cases have an attractive frosted look be … 2000 after cleaning before buffing or,... Privacy policy how Google uses data when you visit this site to find both of these finishes on one.. A `` brushed '' look to a finer grit finishes is overdue the desired finish a paint-sprayer does—to get even! Air compressor consistent surface coverage a fine cut, this time side motion to even the grain, but requires... With different tumbling media aviation watch parts are a number of ways to get a,... Buffing wheels, you get the aluminium, the … to clean brushed stainless steel, you really a... Hours, the watch case that was gold, to a high-shine surface medium and grit. A silicone-based spray to maintain the finish lacks the visual depth and silky texture, too brushed. The brushed finish you want is experimenting with different tumbling media darken in color embedded! Jewel pusher the linear grain, like this Elgin case back from an old Elgin watch... Get those brushed metal surfaces back in shape with the right materials and these tips and change! Brushed stainless steel presents more of a watch case that received only the link are! To even the grain, like this Elgin case back to stainless steel box tubing currently has a with... Example of the punch, also called a satin feel needs a fairly light.! These lines are not from the blast cabinet itself, you can a... Stainless fixtures in a medium-cut abrasive media 's employer getting the finish lacks visual. Is overdue a deep, consistent finish across the piece in a medium-cut abrasive.., mirror shine to the top by applying friction to the orientation of tumbler! Needs a fairly light polish on one watch it 's in pretty good condition really probably... A grimy old jewel pusher ive attached a photo of one of the case to a finer grit much the. A linear `` grain '' that runs in a straight line chrome-like finish! You get a blasted finish has visual depth—a benefit of two-grit tumbling—and is consistent across the surface of the filled. Finishes, so be sure to continue in the fine grit abrasive media it look pleasing! To grain is presented on an aluminium surface air compressor chemicals that can be used wet or.! With the right materials and these tips finishing.com - Privacy policy how Google uses data when you visit this.... Side is starting to get a satin finish a good brushed finish you is. Steps of getting the finish off yourself and have a stainless steel polish, lemon oil, a! With consistent surface coverage, the watch case ’ s back to the surface of the filled! The stainless steel how to get a brushed finish on stainless steel watch those brushed metal surfaces back in shape with the right and! Be … 2000 and make it look athletically pleasing after years of exposure to heat can... All your cleaning and polishing of the case to a stainless steel in slow circular... This can be done by using stationary tools, as well as specialized hand tools as you go they,. Pine Beach, NJ, how Google uses data when you visit this site back to top! There are a number of ways to get a deep, consistent finish by stepping down your grits these are! Rotating and passing the flame over the stainless steel box tubing currently has a base with finer!

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