How do I Age a Canvas or Nato strap?

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Take it dirt biking in the pouring rain. Crashing in the mud helps. Then throw it in the wash on hot.

worked for me.

Interesting, I'll try to avoid crashing. The hot was sounds good. And washing with my clothes was every time i do it. Mark.
 
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If you can access a rock tumbler you can age it nicely.

Have a mix of smooth rocks or large (15mm) steel balls and one small handful of gravel, add some sand or dirt if you like.

Put it in the tumbler, turn it on and check every ten minutes or so.
 
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If you can access a rock tumbler you can age it nicely.

Have a mix of smooth rocks or large (15mm) steel balls and one small handful of gravel, add some sand or dirt if you like.

Put it in the tumbler, turn it on and check every ten minutes or so.

Cheers Jim, sounds like a way to age the strap. I dont have access unfortunately to a tumbler. That won't stop me persisting. Thanks Jim
 
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Cotton or canvas will age far faster than nylon. Throw it in the wash every time you do laundry (or your family members- a couple washes during the week). In short order it will become soft and pliable, and start to show some edge wear. Agree with those that say forced aging just looks forced- like the fake wear pattern on jeans these days....not at all a natural look.
If you work in an environment that is subject to harsh treatment- just wear the strap like a bracelet sans watch for a week or so, scrub in the sink after each day with pumice hand wash, and it will look like hell in no time!
 
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Also, showing us the watch may help us give some advise on what we think would look best or “period”. In most watches pre-1980, the NATO style may look cool, but isn’t “correct”. For nylon on older watches a Perlon strap (single pass) may be your ticket- and those age pretty quickly.
 
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Also, showing us the watch may help us give some advise on what we think would look best or “period”. In most watches pre-1980, the NATO style may look cool, but isn’t “correct”. For nylon on older watches a Perlon strap (single pass) may be your ticket- and those age pretty quickly.


Thanks JW, I dont have the watch yet so looking for a strap for it. A CWC in black is what I like. Year 2000 watch. Your suggestion to wear just the strap isn't a bad idea. Thanks.
 
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So I've had a go at ageing a couple of brand new Nato straps and achieved what I was looking for in 2 minutes. I just rubbed the straps gently on some very fine wet and dry paper. The shinyness, hard edges and overall new look disappeared straight away. Having seen old original Nato straps they mostly weren't frayed and falling apart. That wasnt the look I wanted anyway. I'll also wash it frequently to see what happens but for now its mission accomplished.
 
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I like the above idea to wear the strap with no watch on it while doing your daily routine. I think most folks who can't wear a watch at work aren't allowed to because of safety concerns (snagging and pulling your extremities into a bad situation). If you CAN wear a bracelet, make it the canvas NATO. If you can't, put the new strap outside in the weather until it looks appropriately grungy.
 
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@JwRosenthal I was really close to replying to your 'Really Tight Crown Gasket' post too but had to restrain myself. That was a whole other can of worms
 
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sorry @markie916 this thread got away with my inner Morecambe & Wise. Glad you got sorted, stay safe
 
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wear them everywhere. Shower, swimming, running 😉
 
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Thanks all,

achieved the effect I wanted in 2 minutes 😀.
But yours lacks the amount of DNA a well worn strap has 🤮