Best (and safest) way to clean cigarette smoke residue from dial?

Menikmati
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I recently got a 1957 Bulova that was covered in sticky residue that I believe was from the previous owner smoking lots of cigarettes. It got between the crystal & case, and seems to have gotten onto the dial.

I've already gone at it with a damp q-tip, which helped a bit, but the residue is on there pretty good..

I understand that dials should generally be left alone so that they don't get damaged, but this black dial will look gorgeous once that residue is off! So I'm willing to take the risk and keep trying.

Any tips/suggestions? I was thinking a q-tip with a very small amount of wd40 on it would get the residue off extremely easily, but I've been reading that it can destroy laqcuer, so i'm holding off on that until more people chime in on it.
20250908_181745.webp 20250908_181741.webp 20250908_181717.webp 20250908_181707.webp
 
Canuck
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In most instances, trying to improve a dial, makes them worse. Appreciate what you have.
 
Menikmati
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Canuck Canuck
In most instances, trying to improve a dial, makes them worse. Appreciate what you have.
I'm fully aware of the high potential that I could ruin the dial, but I'm willing to take the chance.
 
gbesq
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What Canuck said. Don’t do it. Vintage dials are about as fragile as butterfly’s wings. If you insist, give it to a professional who has experience doing it. Even then, most will encourage you to leave it alone.
Edited:
 
Canuck
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Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes! If you discover a way you think might work, don’t be ashamed to show us your results.
 
Duracuir1
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IMG_2168.webp


My neighbour’s grass. He was killing weeds with Roundup this summer. I told him not to.

Now I tell him: “I told you so” whenever I see him.
 
Canuck
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Duracuir1 Duracuir1
IMG_2168.webp


My neighbour’s grass. He was killing weeds with Roundup this summer. I told him not to.

Now I tell him: “I told you so” whenever I see him.
IMG_3400.webp
Your post reminded me about an event in our neighbourhood, many years ago. Someone was planting a cotoneaster hedge. They poured weed and feed into the trench! Somehow, that hedge exists, today.
Edited:
 
Menikmati
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For what it's worth, the photos I uploaded were from before I went at it with a damp q-tip, I safely removed a decent amount of the residue without any harm to the paint whatsoever,

I'm just seeking any info on something that can remove the residue more effectively.

I've seen countless destroyed dials from others attempting to clean theirs, so I'm aware of the risks involved.
 
Ron_W
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The Interwebs combined wisdoms says ;

To restore a Bulova watch dial, contact an authorized service center like Bulova or a specialized dial restoration company such as Kirk Rich Dial, a partner of My Jewelry Repair, to have the dial professionally refinished by skilled artisans using authentic factory dies and processes. This complex, specialized service involves removing the dial, stripping it, and rebuilding it to achieve a near-new appearance, which can be a lengthy but stunning transformation for vintage pieces.

Professional Dial Restoration Services
  • Authorized Service Centers:
    Bulova offers service through its authorized centers, such as Veterans Watchmaker Initiative (VWI) or SWISStime care, for comprehensive watch repair, including dial restoration.

  • Specialized Dial Refinishers:
    Companies like My Jewelry Repair partner with experts like Kirk Rich Dial, who specialize in dial restoration. Kirk Rich Dial has been in the business since 1926 and can restore dials to their original appearance.
The Professional Restoration Process
  1. Submission: Submit your watch to an authorized service center or a specialist dial restorer.

  2. Evaluation: A technician evaluates the watch, which can include dial refinishing and other necessary repairs.

  3. Dial Removal: The watch dial is removed from the timepiece.

  4. Stripping and Rebuilding: The dial is stripped of its old paint and lacquer and then rebuilt.

  5. Authentic Dies: Skilled artisans use authentic factory dies to recreate the original markings and appearance of the dial.

  6. Re-Painting/Re-Printing: The dial is meticulously re-painted or re-printed to resemble the original condition.
Things to Consider
  • Cost and Time: Dial restoration is a labor-intensive process that can take several weeks.

  • Value: For vintage watches with significant sentimental or monetary value, professional dial restoration is a wise investment.

  • Alternative Options: While professional restoration is recommended,
  • some forums discuss DIY cleaning for watches, though this approach is not guaranteed to work.
 
gbesq
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Ron_W Ron_W
The Interwebs combined wisdoms says ;

To restore a Bulova watch dial, contact an authorized service center like Bulova or a specialized dial restoration company such as Kirk Rich Dial, a partner of My Jewelry Repair, to have the dial professionally refinished by skilled artisans using authentic factory dies and processes. This complex, specialized service involves removing the dial, stripping it, and rebuilding it to achieve a near-new appearance, which can be a lengthy but stunning transformation for vintage pieces.

Professional Dial Restoration Services
  • Authorized Service Centers:
    Bulova offers service through its authorized centers, such as Veterans Watchmaker Initiative (VWI) or SWISStime care, for comprehensive watch repair, including dial restoration.

  • Specialized Dial Refinishers:
    Companies like My Jewelry Repair partner with experts like Kirk Rich Dial, who specialize in dial restoration. Kirk Rich Dial has been in the business since 1926 and can restore dials to their original appearance.
The Professional Restoration Process
  1. Submission: Submit your watch to an authorized service center or a specialist dial restorer.

  2. Evaluation: A technician evaluates the watch, which can include dial refinishing and other necessary repairs.

  3. Dial Removal: The watch dial is removed from the timepiece.

  4. Stripping and Rebuilding: The dial is stripped of its old paint and lacquer and then rebuilt.

  5. Authentic Dies: Skilled artisans use authentic factory dies to recreate the original markings and appearance of the dial.

  6. Re-Painting/Re-Printing: The dial is meticulously re-painted or re-printed to resemble the original condition.
Things to Consider
  • Cost and Time: Dial restoration is a labor-intensive process that can take several weeks.

  • Value: For vintage watches with significant sentimental or monetary value, professional dial restoration is a wise investment.

  • Alternative Options: While professional restoration is recommended,
  • some forums discuss DIY cleaning for watches, though this approach is not guaranteed to work.
Ron,

I can't agree on this:

"Value: For vintage watches with significant sentimental or monetary value, professional dial restoration is a wise investment"

Although a very good refinished dial may look much better, I have never seen a refinished dial that increased the value for investment. Usually, it's the opposite and most collectors won't touch them. I certainly won't purchase one, but that's just me. .
 
Ron_W
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gbesq gbesq
I have never seen a refinished dial that increased the value for investment.
Valid point ! That combined wisdom still needs work 👍
 
NotJackson
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Archer Archer
The "go to" dial cleaner in the industry is something called Solvent-H. It was primarily used in the printing industry as a solvent, so it's getting harder to find. Ottobock still sells it as it is used in prosthetics.

https://shop.ottobock.ca/en/Prosthe...ment/Elastomers/Solvent-H-(0,25-Liter)/p/83A2

I have seen dials destroyed by it though, so as always proceed with caution.
Back in the day I had a summer job working in a print shop. If this if the stuff I’m thinking of, storage was an issue. It was a long time ago but I remember we used a cleaning solvent that had to be sealed tightly to avoid explosive vapors. It came in metal jugs with these big seals around the cap. Pretty sure it was Solvent-H, but not positive.
 
redpcar
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I use saliva on a q-tip.
You are probably looking at old varnish and not smoke residue.
 
Menikmati
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redpcar redpcar
I use saliva on a q-tip.
You are probably looking at old varnish and not smoke residue.
I'll give the saliva a try, thanks! I'm fairy sure it's smoke residue, the q-tip was lifting the same nasty brown residue that was on the case and in the crevices of the crystal.

Though I'm not going to rule out what you're saying, I'll proceed with extra-extra caution incase it's indeed the varnish/laqcuer.
 
Dan S
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Archer Archer
The "go to" dial cleaner in the industry is something called Solvent-H. It was primarily used in the printing industry as a solvent, so it's getting harder to find. Ottobock still sells it as it is used in prosthetics.

https://shop.ottobock.ca/en/Prosthe...ment/Elastomers/Solvent-H-(0,25-Liter)/p/83A2

I have seen dials destroyed by it though, so as always proceed with caution.
The main ingredient seems to be n-heptane, so it's a hydrocarbon solvent, an alkane. Something chemically similar you might have around the house would be mineral oil.
 
Trev
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Menikmati Menikmati
I'll give the saliva a try, thanks! ...
Distilled water might be a better choice here.
 
dsio
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Canuck Canuck
In most instances, trying to improve a dial, makes them worse. Appreciate what you have.

The only success I’ve seen is on very smooth glossy dials that are intact, using a soft pencil eraser to gently remove mould spots and debris. I start on the outer edge of the dial where it’s typically covered, see how it does, then try in the center near the opening for the hands, if it looks like it’s not making it worse then I do the other areas
 
Menikmati
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Dan S Dan S
The main ingredient seems to be n-heptane, so it's a hydrocarbon solvent, an alkane. Something chemically similar you might have around the house would be mineral oil.
I have mineral oil from restoring old pocket knives that I could use, but I briefly read that mineral oil could damage the laqcuer, so I'll have to do some further research on that
 
Menikmati
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dsio dsio
The only success I’ve seen is on very smooth glossy dials that are intact, using a soft pencil eraser to gently remove mould spots and debris. I start on the outer edge of the dial where it’s typically covered, see how it does, then try in the center near the opening for the hands, if it looks like it’s not making it worse then I do the other areas
That's the exact kind of dial this is, my pictures don't do it justice, but the dial is very glossy and smooth.

I might give it a go with an eraser (very gently) if I can't make enough progress with the other suggestions.
 
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