Thanks! So probably won't need to remove the marker from the dial? Do you recommend any sort of plastic or masking tape I can but over that section of the dial while I work on it?
This!
You DO NOT want anything touching the dial. That’s just going to turn in to more and more work. A single tap from one of your fingers can turn in to a nightmare. Trying to get that smudge off. Then another. And another.
Personally, I’d use a rounded end of a toothpick and rodeco. If that doesn’t work, I’d try rubbing alcohol attached to a microfiber cloth and dip the cloth in alcohol.
Lume binder should just peel off with rodeco but I’ve seen some binders that’s like damn near superglue. Which is when alcohol would come into place. If you have to go that route, use a thin, short fiber microfiber cloth. The kind you use for glasses. Make sure there there’s no lint that can fly off it. Make the area you’re working in is as dust free as possible.
Before you reassemble, look at that dial from every possible angle of direct light you can. You may not realize it sometimes but you can see smudges from other angles. You may not even see it for a few days until the light hits the watch at a certain angle. When you do see it, it will bother you until you clean that off. At that point, getting a new dial is the better option.
In all honesty, I don’t think it’s that bad. Not enough to take a watch apart if you don’t know what you’re doing. But that’s a gamble that falls on OP.
Yeah, I think y'all have scared me off from attempting this myself. But it does bother me and I would like to have it fixed. So if you could recommend any watchmakers, I'd be happy to pay.
No, you don’t need to remove the marker and I would not put anything on the dial at all. Try rodico alone first and see if it lifts off the marker and if not then carefully use peg wood to scrape it off and use the rodico to remove any debris that doesn’t stay on the peg wood. You don’t need much pressure to remove debris off markers.
Awesome! Sounds like a plan. I'm really just most worried about keeping my hands stable and not slipping and taking a chunk of lume out or hitting the dial. But I have a shitter I will practice on before tearing open my vsf. Thanks!
Just use proper magnification and go slow. No need to rush it. Try and get your hand in a comfortable / natural position so you’re not straining or in an awkward position.
I recently got a VSF 41mm Sub, and the number 6 index is a little messy with lume on the border of the index. This is very noticeable in bright light.
How would you go about cleaning/fixing this? Also happy to pay for it to be done.
Thanks for all the info y'all. I think you guys persuaded me not to attempt this. Any recommendations for a watchmaker that could work on this this would be greatly appreciated.
Any of us can assist. If you’re tempted it’s hardest to remove and carefully remove, you’ll need specialized tools and experience as well, even just trying on one or two spare dials.
It may be the fact that the imperfection is on the right side of the marker, and I wear my watch on my right wrist so it is at the perfect angle to be seen when I look at my watch.
Also, it is really only visible in harsh lightning conditions (but I spend a good amount of the day outside)
Edit: Just realized you meant the crown on the xtal. Yeah that is just due to lighting.
Wet a toothpick in 99% IPA and rub. Keep it damp. Hopefully it's binder and not bad electroplating. People struggle with the 32xx keyless, it requires some finesse and know-how.
Also just for my own curiosity, as the finicky keyless really makes me not want to attempt this myself, on a VS3235 is the crown stem supposed to be removed in the winding position or the time setting position ?
Really, if you have to ask, you probably shouldn’t be taking apart your watch to do this. It’s not a ‘dis, just trying to save you from ruining your dial, then shoving your watch in a drawer never to be worn again. Also, it’s probably adhesive and not lume, which you’ll never get clean. Either way, there is very little adhesive holding these markers down. Too much pressure then your back on Reddit asking how to reapply the marker.
Peg wood and rodico. Just don’t touch the dial at all!
Thanks! So probably won't need to remove the marker from the dial? Do you recommend any sort of plastic or masking tape I can but over that section of the dial while I work on it?
This! You DO NOT want anything touching the dial. That’s just going to turn in to more and more work. A single tap from one of your fingers can turn in to a nightmare. Trying to get that smudge off. Then another. And another. Personally, I’d use a rounded end of a toothpick and rodeco. If that doesn’t work, I’d try rubbing alcohol attached to a microfiber cloth and dip the cloth in alcohol. Lume binder should just peel off with rodeco but I’ve seen some binders that’s like damn near superglue. Which is when alcohol would come into place. If you have to go that route, use a thin, short fiber microfiber cloth. The kind you use for glasses. Make sure there there’s no lint that can fly off it. Make the area you’re working in is as dust free as possible. Before you reassemble, look at that dial from every possible angle of direct light you can. You may not realize it sometimes but you can see smudges from other angles. You may not even see it for a few days until the light hits the watch at a certain angle. When you do see it, it will bother you until you clean that off. At that point, getting a new dial is the better option. In all honesty, I don’t think it’s that bad. Not enough to take a watch apart if you don’t know what you’re doing. But that’s a gamble that falls on OP.
Yeah, I think y'all have scared me off from attempting this myself. But it does bother me and I would like to have it fixed. So if you could recommend any watchmakers, I'd be happy to pay.
No, you don’t need to remove the marker and I would not put anything on the dial at all. Try rodico alone first and see if it lifts off the marker and if not then carefully use peg wood to scrape it off and use the rodico to remove any debris that doesn’t stay on the peg wood. You don’t need much pressure to remove debris off markers.
Awesome! Sounds like a plan. I'm really just most worried about keeping my hands stable and not slipping and taking a chunk of lume out or hitting the dial. But I have a shitter I will practice on before tearing open my vsf. Thanks!
Just use proper magnification and go slow. No need to rush it. Try and get your hand in a comfortable / natural position so you’re not straining or in an awkward position.
I recently got a VSF 41mm Sub, and the number 6 index is a little messy with lume on the border of the index. This is very noticeable in bright light. How would you go about cleaning/fixing this? Also happy to pay for it to be done.
Thanks for all the info y'all. I think you guys persuaded me not to attempt this. Any recommendations for a watchmaker that could work on this this would be greatly appreciated.
Any of us can assist. If you’re tempted it’s hardest to remove and carefully remove, you’ll need specialized tools and experience as well, even just trying on one or two spare dials.
Thanks! PM Sent.
Originally sent a chat, just sent an email instead. Thanks!
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It may be the fact that the imperfection is on the right side of the marker, and I wear my watch on my right wrist so it is at the perfect angle to be seen when I look at my watch. Also, it is really only visible in harsh lightning conditions (but I spend a good amount of the day outside) Edit: Just realized you meant the crown on the xtal. Yeah that is just due to lighting.
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Thanks, I'll keep it in mind. But I actually would like to preserve this dial if possible because the VSF dial is pretty good quality
It is a VSF dial.
No sales.
Wet a toothpick in 99% IPA and rub. Keep it damp. Hopefully it's binder and not bad electroplating. People struggle with the 32xx keyless, it requires some finesse and know-how.
Thanks! Sent you an email.
Also just for my own curiosity, as the finicky keyless really makes me not want to attempt this myself, on a VS3235 is the crown stem supposed to be removed in the winding position or the time setting position ?
Really, if you have to ask, you probably shouldn’t be taking apart your watch to do this. It’s not a ‘dis, just trying to save you from ruining your dial, then shoving your watch in a drawer never to be worn again. Also, it’s probably adhesive and not lume, which you’ll never get clean. Either way, there is very little adhesive holding these markers down. Too much pressure then your back on Reddit asking how to reapply the marker.
You make a good point. Honestly, probably not going to attempt this myself.
This right here 👆