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Hesalite polishing methods

Mad Dog
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Trev Trev
More MD-88 pics! Always enjoy these 馃憤

Also, we really need to get you some fancy 惟F stickers to help "decorate" your office.
Well...there probably won't be any future MD-88 pics. Below is my final MD-88 pic which was my final flight in it on 30AUG17...I'm transitioning to the B-737 since the MD-88 is being retired at our Cincinnati base.

For my last flight in the MD-88, it was mandatory that I wear my "first flying watch" [Seiko 6309-7049 automatic] that I purchased new in 1987 during U.S. Navy primary pilot training...

IMG_7632.JPG
 
CTS-V
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Mad Dog Mad Dog
After-party regarding the Chair Force Ball? 馃槻

Dang...I didn't think you Chair Force knuckleheads had "after-parties"...I figured the ball would be finished by 1900 and everyone would go home and hit their respective racks. 馃榿

Regarding future Chair Force Ball after-parties...I highly recommend either the Rothco or Raine Inc. protective band [Rothco pictured below]...

IMG_4837.JPG IMG_4836.JPG

MadDog.....the reason you didn't know the Air Force had AfterParties is because you Navy Boys pass out too early and then we politely escort your dates to OUR party.馃槈
 
Mad Dog
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CTS-V CTS-V
MadDog.....the reason you didn't know the Air Force had AfterParties is because you Navy Boys pass out too early and then we politely escort your dates to OUR party.馃槈
OK...that sounds logical...you win! 馃憤
 
D
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I dunno. I have a lot of success buffing scratches with white tooth paste. Just use a little water on your thumb and rub it in. Repeat multiple time if needed. Mine is quite clean and I and raked a few walls accidentally.
 
Mad Dog
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Vitezi Vitezi
I recently read an article saying Delta was having trouble finding pilots to fly their unloved Mad Dogs. What gives?
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...ots-to-captain-if-they-can-fly-this-old-plane
Nobody wants to fly it because it's inefficient, antiquated, sort of quirky and is a dying bird [it's supposedly being retired from the Delta fleet by 2020 or 2021]. I like flying it [specifically the MD-88] because it's f蠀cking loud! 馃榿

To be honest, I had planned on moving over to the left seat of the MD-88/90 to continue flying it to my retirement in 8 to 12 years...she's a good bird [basically a stretched DC-9]...I'll miss her. 馃檨
 
redpcar
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" because it's f蠀cking loud! 馃榿"

I agree. Usually, I'm stuck in 36A or 36F. If the jet fuel fumes don't kill me, the screaming engines do.
A smooth flight in business class but a beating in the back. 馃槈
 
L
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I just became a forum member so a brief introduction is in order.

First, I am a complete novice in this wonderful world of horology. Late in life I have been seduced by some of the excellent online discussions of watches, new and old.

Consequently, I have just bought an Omega Speedmaster Professional and am researching as much as I can about it. That research is how I discovered this forum.

I have no information at all about the life history of the watch that I have bought. It may have been serviced recently or never serviced at all. I just don't know.

So far I have cleaned the exterior of the watch, as carefully and gently as I could. It is now looking much better than when I first brought it home. The plastic crystal is still showing very fine scratches despite my use of toothpaste and water to clean and polish it. In view of the excellent discussion in this thread I have learned a lot and am considering buying a 2 oz. Novus kit, as recommended by a couple of contributors. However, I don't want to seriously affect the naturally aged patina of the crystal. Functionally, I can read the dial and the time easily and am a bit reluctant to be overzealous in any polishing attempts.

The watch winds very well and is keeping excellent time. On the theory of "not fixing if it ain't broke" I am reluctant to have the watch serviced at present.

So, I would appreciate any informed advice on these two points, of
- whether to attempt further dial polishing and
- when to schedule a next service.

Thanks in advance!
 
VetPsychWars
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L LastGreekLetter
So, I would appreciate any informed advice on these two points, of
- whether to attempt further dial polishing and
- when to schedule a next service.

Thanks in advance!

There is no such thing as "patina" of a crystal. It's either damaged or it's not.

To answer your questions in order...

Sure, get the Novus polishes, they work well.

Schedule thay service approximately immediately.

Most watchmakers wil recommend crystal replacement because it's about water resistance. The older the crystal gets, the less likely the watch is water resistant. It's a normal service part. Some choose to keep older crystals. I personally think that's ridiculous, but you can always ask to have it returned. If you're going to wear a watch, I firmly believe that crystal, crown (if it leaks), and seals need replacement.

Tom
 
JimInOz
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L LastGreekLetter
........... I don't want to seriously affect the naturally aged patina of the crystal. .............

If you have surface scratches you can polish them out and the crystal can look almost like new. There's no need for aged patina on a crystal.

However, if the crystal has aged, and due to UV light or the effects of some cleaning compounds, the structural integrity of the plastic may be compromised. Usually seen as crazing or "cracks" in the crystal when held to the light the right way. See this example.

CrystalCrazing.JPG


If that's the case, you need a new crystal.
 
L
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VetPsychWars VetPsychWars
There is no such thing as "patina" of a crystal. It's either damaged or it's not.

To answer your questions in order...

Sure, get the Novus polishes, they work well.

Schedule thay service approximately immediately.

Most watchmakers wil recommend crystal replacement because it's about water resistance. The older the crystal gets, the less likely the watch is water resistant. It's a normal service part. Some choose to keep older crystals. I personally think that's ridiculous, but you can always ask to have it returned. If you're going to wear a watch, I firmly believe that crystal, crown (if it leaks), and seals need replacement.

Tom
Thank you very much for your advice. I shall certainly order the Novus polishes, as advised.
 
L
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momosono momosono
you're excused for this:

what you mean (I hope) is crystal polishing.
Polishing the dial would really be a pity.
Yes, thanks 馃榾. I did mean the crystal.
 
L
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JimInOz JimInOz
If you have surface scratches you can polish them out and the crystal can look almost like new. There's no need for aged patina on a crystal.

However, if the crystal has aged, and due to UV light or the effects of some cleaning compounds, the structural integrity of the plastic may be compromised. Usually seen as crazing or "cracks" in the crystal when held to the light the right way. See this example.

CrystalCrazing.JPG


If that's the case, you need a new crystal.
Thanks very much for your advice. As a start, I think I shall just try the Novus polishes. To my untrained eye there are no cracks in the crystal.
 
VetPsychWars
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L LastGreekLetter
Thanks very much for your advice. As a start, I think I shall just try the Novus polishes. To my untrained eye there are no cracks in the crystal.

In fact, polishing might reveal damage farther down.

Tom
 
felsby
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2620630A_2_TS72702df2-a553-41c5-a53a-c49e6b9d1fef_1.jpg

My choice. 5$ in the local (Danish) mart, works excellently despite the name.
 
Divemann
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Big fan of polywatch I have had my 2 tubes for 5 years for both my speedy and 1665 sea dweller.
 
kkt
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L LastGreekLetter
...
I have no information at all about the life history of the watch that I have bought. It may have been serviced recently or never serviced at all. I just don't know.
....
The watch winds very well and is keeping excellent time. On the theory of "not fixing if it ain't broke" I am reluctant to have the watch serviced at present.

So, I would appreciate any informed advice on these two points, of
- whether to attempt further dial polishing and
- when to schedule a next service.

Thanks in advance!

To amplify a little bit about the service: The lubricating oils in the movement dry up after five years or so. At that point, the watch will continue to work with no problems that are apparent from the outisde, however extra wear is happening and it shortens the life of the parts. If you don't know that the watch was serviced within the last few years, get it serviced.
 
S
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I use automotive rubbing compound. It is extremely cheap and just as effective. It is also easier to control so there is less cleanup. Finish with polishing compound and the whole process is done in minutes.
 
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