Refinished my Apple Link Bracelet - really easy to do

[Donnation]

I've always appreciated the Apple Link Bracelet and have owned mine for 3 years now. Its my favorite watch band and the one I wear to work every day and I think its the classiest watch band that Apple makes. I decided to see if I could take a refinishing pad and put the original brushed look back on the watch and wow what a difference. Really easy to do if you want the original finish back on the bracelet. This is different than using a cape cod polishing cloth as those remove the brushed finish of the band and give it more of a shiny chrome look, which isn't what I wanted.

Here are a couple of before and after photos. I'm really happy how this turned out and it looks like it just came out of the box.

 

[Jamierb]

I've always appreciated the Apple Link Bracelet and have owned mine for 3 years now. Its my favorite watch band and the one I wear to work every day and I think its the classiest watch band that Apple makes. I decided to see if I could take a refinishing pad and put the original brushed look back on the watch and wow what a difference. Really easy to do if you want the original finish back on the bracelet. This is different than using a cape cod polishing cloth as those remove the brushed finish of the band and give it more of a shiny chrome look, which isn't what I wanted.

Here are a couple of before and after photos. I'm really happy how this turned out and it looks like it just came out of the box.

View attachment 960146 View attachment 960145

Looks amazing! Would you happen to have a link to the pad you used please?

 

[Sir Ruben]

That looks amazing, can you tell me exactly what you used and how you did it? I have my first stainless steel link bracelet arriving tomorrow (wanted one forever) to go with my SS Series 6. Cant wait. Its the ultimate combo IMO.

 

[Donnation]

Yes, sorry I should have put the link to the pad. Here you go:

Brushed Titanium Refinishing Pad for Watches

Brushed Titanium Refinishing Pad for Watches

www.amazon.com

 

[Donnation]

That looks amazing, can you tell me exactly what you used and how you did it? I have my first stainless steel link bracelet arriving tomorrow (wanted one forever) to go with my SS Series 6. Cant wait. Its the ultimate combo IMO.

Link is above. When needed, you just gently brush the bracelet with the pad. Any scrapes will blend right in and it will look brand new after just a few minutes.

 

[MacDevil7334]

@Donnation looks great, nicely done!

Friendly reminder: this only works on the regular stainless link bracelet. Do not attempt this on the space black link bracelet as you will destroy the black finish. It should go without saying after this many years of stainless Apple watches. But just last week I saw someone in another thread suggest a cape cod cloth to remove scratches on a DLC graphite watch, which made me cry a little inside. So, figured I would say it just in case anyone was thinking about trying with a SB link.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Yes, sorry I should have put the link to the pad. Here you go:

Brushed Titanium Refinishing Pad for Watches

Brushed Titanium Refinishing Pad for Watches

www.amazon.com

does this work on the space black link or will that ruin it?

EDIT:
never mind. MacDevil answered my question

 

[farewelwilliams]

@Donnation looks great, nicely done!

Friendly reminder: this only works on the regular stainless link bracelet. Do not attempt this on the space black link bracelet as you will destroy the black finish. It should go without saying after this many years of stainless Apple watches. But just last week I saw someone in another thread suggest a cape cod cloth to remove scratches on a DLC graphite watch, which made me cry a little inside. So, figured I would say it just in case anyone was thinking about trying with a SB link.

is there no way to restore the space black link?

 

[redman042]

I have an SS Link Bracelet purchased in late 2015 (not long after buying the first model of Apple Watch) that I have kept looking new by refinishing in a similar manner. But I use a Scotch Brite green scouring pad. These are readily available in hardware stores. Some recommend the grey pad, which is a finer abrasive, but I've been happier with the scratch removal performance of the green pads. My procedure is:

1. Clean the bracelet to remove oils. This is not essential for refinishing but is a good thing to get done at the same time. I use a sonic jewelry cleaner with hot tap water and a drop of dish soap. I run three cycles. I get dark grey water after the three cycles so I know it's working!
2. Disconnect a link so that the bracelet is in two halves. Lay each half on a cloth.
3. Cut a rectangular strip of the green scour pad a little wider than the bracelet and about an inch long.
4. Hold the pad against the link with even pressure using a thumb or forefinger, and pull it in one direction along the length of the bracelet to get a consistent grain matching the original. I use the edge of the link as my guide to try to pull the pad consistently straight down the bracelet. I hold the link in place with my other hand. I repeat this probably 15-20 times for each half of the bracelet. The pressure I apply is fairly light but if I don't see a deep scratch disappearing, I will add some pressure and repeat.

This has worked great for me and I have seen no degradation of any kind of my bracelet as a result of this refinishing. It looks pretty much like brand-new when I'm done (on close inspection some deeper scratches will still be visible, but hard to see unless you are really looking). I do this around every six months.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

Hello everyone, just reviving this as I have achieved the following results from just a simple household item:

Before

After

 

[Apples n' Stone]

I will go back to it, but so so pleased with the results so far!

 

[athousandbands]

Is it true that once used for steel, one shouldn’t use the titanium pad for titanium again? I feel like I have some reason I haven’t done my link yet...

 

[Apples n' Stone]

Is it true that once used for steel, one shouldn’t use the titanium pad for titanium again? I feel like I have some reason I haven’t done my link yet...

I don’t know about the different finishes being an issue mate, but have you got one of these that’s new in the home?

Don’t be afraid to brush it hard, they really do work well!