Hi Hi
I recently bought a watch lot and one of the watches (Waltham) has a fancy dial. The dial does have a few hairlines on it. The question is, will cleaning this like I would a ceramic dial (comet cleaner, or heated ultrasonic)hurt the dial? Would it even make the hairlines less visible in this dial that looks like its glass?

Jim, If those are actually cracks, cleaning will do very little as far as making them disappear. I have cleaned these dials with comet cleaner and it does not hurt them. Of course that is my experience with them. I use my ultrasonic with the dial and a small bit of comet cleanser in a beaker.

Thanks Phil,
I use the ultrasonic on dials with red numbers because the comet can leach out colors like red if left in to long. I have also had good results using Mean Green in the heated ultrasonic to wash dials.

Mean Green is terrible on dials, Jim. It might be a cleaner; it may even be a good cleaner; but the stuff is green to begin with, and you're using it to try to clean a snow-white dial. That stuff never comes out of the hairlines.

That being said, there is an excellent thread on dial cleaning here.

Thanks Eric,
I knew about that thread, but I didnt think it had a lot of info on the fancy dials. As for Mean Green I have had fantastic results on ceramic dials in my little heated ultrasonic. The dial isnt in the cleaner for more than a few minutes (4-5 minutes tops) and I havent seen any green in the hairlines. I originally tried it when I ran out of comet one day and the wife had a bottle under the sink. First on some real bad dials to test and then on better dials when it worked.

I have a old small ruined dial with hairlines on it, I will charge the camera battery and do a before and after.

Always a good approach to take in any repair is to start with the least amount and most gentle approach possible to achieve the result. If gentle brushing, will not do a simple rinse in room temperature water (not hot or cold to avoid expansion and contraction of the porcelain and copper) maybe a large ultra-soft makeup brush and mild soap can work wonders, if not step up to a soak etc.

One thing to remember about ultrasonic is if the hairlines come together I have seen them pop out chucks, even using it for a short time.

I am kind of picky which dials I put in the ultrasonic, mostly its dials that didnt clean up when other methods are tried or that have red numbers.
I have had good results, but it also could be due to the fact I am not using a super heavy duty ultrasonic. My Ultrasonic
As I said above I would post a dial before and after, the results show up good even with my poor pictures. This was using Mean Green in the Heated cleaning for 180 seconds. I use a glass open mouth beaker to hold the dial in the cleaner, the beaker is in water in the ultrasonic. Not even a hint of green left in the lines.

Jim I think Chris has a good Idea start out slow. Then increase to get the satisfaction that you are looking for. Simple green will work. As I have never had a green line after. Ammonia will work. It is what I use.
Heck I had a porcelain dial that had rust on it No Cracks. And the CRL took the rust off the dial. With no damage on it.

Robert is correct also. If you are using a strong Ultra sonic it sometimes will pop out.

It does not sound like you will have that trouble.


KNOW for all you Nay sayers This is what it took to get the rust off.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE IDEA DON'T TRY IT. I'm not here to try to tell any one that the way I do thinks is the best. That is not my nature. We have enough guys on this site to tell you there way is the best and only.

It works for me. That is the only thing that matters.

Chris I would like to commend you. I have never heard you give any advice in a condescending manor.

Abe Lincoln once said. It is best to remain silent and thought a fool than to open you mouth and remove all doubt.

Thanks for the tip Eugene. I have a very pretty Illinois dial with rust stains that i cant get out, I am going to have to try clr. The dial is useless to me as it is.

The problem with stepping up to a soak is that if the soak is the bathroom cleaner method some colors may fade away. Black may even fade. I have never had that happen with the ultrasonic.