Brushed metal scratched by nail !?
Hello my friends!
I have quite a new Alpina watch, bought 2 months ago.
The case is made of brushed metal.
Today, I just saw what I thought to be a stain near the lug, and used my nail to try and remove it.
To my surprise, not only the stain was not a stain but a small impact, but my nail added a few marks.
I tried using my nail on other part of the case, and as expected it doesn't mark. It's like this particular side is more fragile for some reason.
I don't make a big deal of such tiny marks, it's not the end of the world, however it's very surprising.
How is it possible, do you have any explanation? Did it loose some kind of protection layer?
Would you send it to repair under warranty or not (I don't think I will due to the delays)?
By the way, I am realizing that brushed metal might not be a good idea. It's supposed to be more resistant to scratches : not only I am not convinced, but when it occurs, it's almost impossible to polish it well.
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
I bet the rough surface of the brushing acted as a nail file and some of the keratin is deposited in the brushing. I doubt the case is softer than your fingernail. A brushed surface can be susceptible to staining I believe.
I would write the maker first and see what they say the try some of this polish.
A brushed finish is essentially a fine corrugation. There are high and low spots at a fine scale. The metal has a nap, like corduroy or flannel. If one pushes hard, the finish can be marred as you are merely damaging the higher areas. The benefit is that it is less apparent.
It's not rocket science to brush it back a bit. You can use all manner of mundane household objects, from the back of a kitchen sponge to a toothbrush to a fingernail buffer.
I bet the rough surface of the brushing acted as a nail file and some of the keratin is deposited in the brushing. I doubt the case is softer than your fingernail. A brushed surface can be susceptible to staining I believe.
Unfortunately I know for sure these are real scratches based on :
cleaning with isopropyl alcohol on a micro-fiber cloth ;
close inspection with 8x magnifier.
I would write the maker first and see what they say the try some of this polish.
I am afraid it removes the brushed effect, doesn't it?
That said, maybe at some point it would be the best in order to maintain this watch.
Use a brushing cloth. There are specific clothes for polishing but also for brushing. I’m sure that will be sorted in a couple of mins
Use one of the green plastic pan scourers, that'll maintain the brushed finish.
Cape cod is great, but only for polished finishes 😉👍
Brushed doesn't resist scratches, it disguises them.
What you want is these, and a careful hand. More precise than a scouring pad (which is often the wrong grit anyway) and a more elegant weapon, from a more civilised age.
Oh, and do mask off the polished edge with scotch tape or electrical tape. You may still have to use the cape cod on that bit carefully afterwards.
Set x 3 brass steel & fiberglass Scratch brush pen removes rust scratches https://amzn.eu/d/iYaQfPU
You’re Wolverine right 🤣, jokes aside steel shouldn’t be that soft. I mean 24k gold that would be possible with enough force. Ist there another coating on the steel? Hope it’s fixable.
I use this. Just be careful, but it's the best for brushed surfaces of anything I have seen. It was recommended to me by a watchmaker/restorer.
I believe it's currently out of stock on Amazon, but a Google search will find it
I am afraid it removes the brushed effect, doesn't it?
That said, maybe at some point it would be the best in order to maintain this watch.
Not that polish. It’s more liquid.
You’re Wolverine right 🤣, jokes aside steel shouldn’t be that soft. I mean 24k gold that would be possible with enough force. Ist there another coating on the steel? Hope it’s fixable.
Absolutely. I also suspect some coating. Would be less concerning but still disappointing.
There is absolutely no way your nail scratched steel.
There is absolutely no way your nail scratched steel.
Normally but my point is it got scratched by my nail anyway, so the impact is identical to me.
It is certainly some coating applied over the steel.
Or the alliage has been failed or degraded.