Fixing scratched watch crystal

[bulrush]

I have a digital watch. I frequently scratch the watch crystal, but have no idea how. Anyway, usually I can just polish the scratch away with a soft cloth but I really must have scratched it good this time. How can I get rid of this scratch?

I think I have some 1000 grit sand paper but I'm not sure that will work. I do not have any polish compound, rubbing compound, or a polish wheel.

[Rick]

You might try toothpaste or baking soda. I know that sounds crazy but you can use both as a polish and it will smooth out small scratches in glass. It takes a lot of rubbing but it does work.

I had a pretty noticeable scratch in a convex crystal and used baking soda to take it down. I didn't take it all the way out. By then, my finger was about to fall off from rubbing and I said, "Good enough". You can use a paper towel or a soft cloth. Just work the baking soda into a paste and keep it beneath the cloth. It will work out to the sides as you rub. I used a circular motion but don't know that there's any magic to it.

I've also used toothpaste for minor scratches.

A lot will depend on the hardness of the glass. Mineral glass is a harder glass than plain silica glass. It's used to resist scratches so I don't know how well the above will work on that. I haven't tried it on plastic either.

If you still have the paperwork on your watch check to see if the crystal is made from mineral glass or plastic. If it is, I'd have it replaced. The plastic will be fairly inexpensive and the mineral glass may not be repairable.

[crashdive123]

I have a Seiko Dive watch that is over 30 years old. It's the only watch I wear and am pretty rough on it. Sometimes the crystal gets a bit scratched. I use fine jewelers rouge on a buffing wheel. Makes it look like new. My watch has a thick mineral crystal -- DO NOT try this on plastic.

[yellowcab]

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[yellowcab]

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