Removing scratches from titanium

rahbarin
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Hello everyone. I’m out of ideas so I’m hoping the forums can help. I have a titanium zenith braclet that I bought with scratches on it and I wanted to know if there is a way to remove or even just lighten the scratches. I called zenith and every watch place in New Jersey and no one will try. Does anyone know someone who has done it that can help.
 
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Canuck
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How about medium to fine grit silicon carbide sand paper? But try a small area near the clasp to test your results, before you get aggressive with it. The coarser grit might be required to get rid of deeper scratches. Than the finer grit to finish the job. I accept no responsibility for the result!
 
Canuck
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wsfarrell wsfarrell
If that's a brushed (satin) finish--which it looks like--you can't go wrong with a set of Bergeon satin wheels on a buffer. Here's one random example: Bergeon 6085-F3 Very Fine Grain Abrasive Wheels Aluminum Oxide Polishing Brush | eBay.

One thing to bear in mind is that the ends of the links seem to have bright polished chamfers. I suspect it might be desirable to leave these chamfers bright rather than to use a process that might brush the bright finish!
 
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rahbarin
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Also I have never had titanium and this is new to me I just order it from someone but I noticed the clasp says stainless steel is that normal.
 
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Canuck
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rahbarin rahbarin
Also I have never had titanium and this is new to me I just order it from someone but I noticed the clasp says stainless steel is that normal.

You are certain the bracelet is titanium?
 
rahbarin
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That is what I was told from the listing. It arrives tomorrow is there a way to tell if it is or not?
 
rahbarin
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Canuck Canuck
You are certain the bracelet is titanium?
It seems on zenith website the bracelet is titanium and the clasp is stainless. But once it gets here tomorrow I’ll Larry to figure it outt
 
Canuck
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rahbarin rahbarin
That is what I was told from the listing. It arrives tomorrow is there a way to tell if it is or not?

Titanium used in watches and bracelets usually results in a darker colour, and duller finish than stainless steel watches and bracelets. At least that is my opinion. Plus titanium is 45% lighter than stainless steel. And more durable.
 
Dan S
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If you send it to Zenith for a full service, I bet they will refinish it routinely. But it will probably cost you $800 or so.
 
rahbarin
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Dan S Dan S
If you send it to Zenith for a full service, I bet they will refinish it routinely. But it will probably cost you $800 or so.
I called zenith today and they said they won’t do it.
 
Dan S
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rahbarin rahbarin
I called zenith today and they said they won’t do it.

Well that's interesting, and possibly a reason not to buy a titanium watch if they gave you accurate information. Every time I've sent a stainless watch to any major manufacturer (including Zenith) for a full service, they've routinely refinished the bracelet.
 
Evitzee
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Titanium finishes can range from polished, to brushed, to a rougher sand blasted finish. But refinishing it in the field is very difficult. Not surprised Zenith, or anyone else, won't touch it. I've always considered titanium watches as not refinishable once it leaves the factory.
 
rahbarin
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Dan S Dan S
Well that's interesting, and possibly a reason not to buy a titanium watch if they gave you accurate information. Every time I've sent a stainless watch to any major manufacturer (including Zenith) for a full service, they've routinely refinished the bracelet.
Ya I had no idea I bought a defy on a leather strap and saw someone selling the bracelet for a good price. Lesson well learned lol.
 
Archer
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wsfarrell wsfarrell
If that's a brushed (satin) finish--which it looks like--you can't go wrong with a set of Bergeon satin wheels on a buffer. Here's one random example: Bergeon 6085-F3 Very Fine Grain Abrasive Wheels Aluminum Oxide Polishing Brush | eBay.

Yes, this is how I would refinish the bracelet in question, masking off the areas you don't want satin finished with Kapton tape.

Refinishing brushed or sating finish on titanium isn't any more difficult than doing it on a stainless steel bracelet. It is soft, so a light touch is required, in particular where there is any laser etching on the part that you are refinishing
 
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rahbarin
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So update the bracelet just got here and I won the lottery I’m not sure but there’s no marks in it. I guess the lighting from how they took the pictures made it look worse than it was. It’s basic surface marks nothing bad at all I’ll probably just leave this as it and wear it.
 
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Deafboy
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Nice bracelet, but Toes are showing...
 
rahbarin
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Deafboy Deafboy
Nice bracelet, but Toes are showing...
We’ll now I need to delete my account. And sell all my watches.
 
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