Is this repairable?

[Js82]

Hello, everyone. This is my favorite watch I had since college. It's Disney collection watch. No it's not expensive nor is it a name brand and yes I can afford more fancy watch, but this watch is discontinued by Disney. I can't replace it. 

I called watch repair stores and was told it's not repairable. I'm heartbroken. What are my options to get this back to tip top shape?

[AndyHull]

Does it still work?
What all is in need of repair?
Do you want to try to restore the strap?

[HectorLooi]

From your photo I can see that the paintwork of the bracelet and even the watchcase is damaged.

I think it's best to remove the battery and keep it as it is. And let every scratch and every dent bring back those memories of the events that left those scars.

[LadyFi]

Just a thought but it looks like enamel paint.  If you want to repaint it, might be an idea to go to a shop that specialises in model aircraft.  You should be able to get enamel paint remover and enamel paint from there as a lot of models are made from metal rather than plastic.  It would be a painstaking job though and might not come out right.  Maybe best to keep your watch for sentimental value.

[clockboy]

It’s repairable but as always it’s how much time and money you are willing to spend. The strap can be stripped and re- painted and I expect the movement could be replaced.

[Js82]

20 hours ago, AndyHull said:

Does it still work?
What all is in need of repair?
Do you want to try to restore the strap?

Yes. I just need to change the battery and just want to restore the strap.

[AndyHull]

Restoring the strap should be possible, but you will need something suitable to paint it with.

I suspect it may originally have been powder coated rather than painted, but if you are willing to try painting it, this is how I would go about it.

Find a suitable matching rattle can paint, or mix up your own, if you have an airbrush.

First, remove the strap from the watch.

Next, remove any parts of the strap that you don't want painted, or carefully mask them off if they are not easily removable.

Now strip off and clean the remaining paint or powder coating from the strap, to get it back to the bare metal. Clean the bare metal with 000 wire wool.

Next, clean all of the surfaces with acetone to remove any grease, and give it a coating of metal primer. The best way to do this would be with an airbrush, but you might get away with using a rattle can.

Put on one or two very light coats, rather than a heavy one, and let it dry.

Light coats are key to good airbrush or rattle can painting. You will get a far better finish with two or three  fine misted coats allowing each to completely dry, even if the first one or two coats seem to be way too thin to cover the surface. Thin even coats avoid drips and the "orange peel" wrinkling you get if you apply the paint too liberally in thick coats. 

Sand down the coats with fine grit wet and dry paper to get a gloss finish.

Clean carefully with dish soap and water to remove any grit from the abrasives, and inspect for imperfections.

Clean again with acetone, assuming your primer is safe with acetone, otherwise use dish soap and water again, and blow it dry with a hairdrier. This will remove any accidental finger marks. You shouldn't be handling it with your fingers anyway. Use some of those nitrile "covid protection" gloves everyone no doubt has lying around these days. 

Paint with your top coat. Again use  two or more very fine coats, allowing each to dry before continuing. 

Polish once more.

Clean as before.

Add a couple of very fine applications of a clear coat.

Polish etc.

The process is very similar to painting die cast models, so watch a few of this guy's videos to pick up tips.

https://www.youtube.com/user/pso316a

(Watch out for the toothbrush running gag in the video).

There is a real art to doing this, so you might need a couple of attempts before you get it looking "factory".

Once you have the strap looking good, you can try the case.

Remove the watch module, and place it to one side. 

Ask here for tips, if you can't see any obvious way to do this.

Clean the case very carefully with water, dish soap and a toothbrush.  Mask off the glass and the jewelled bezel very carefully to avoid spoiling them with the paint, and proceed as you did with the strap. If you do get paint where you don't want it, you can probably remove it carefully with a fine pointed tool, like a dental pick.

For the rest of you reading this, I highly recommend you watch "Marty's Matchbox Makeovers" anyway, even if you don't intend painting anything. The guy is a real artist with those Matchbox toy cars. He gives some good insights and tips for paint mixing and matching too.

I've never painted a matchbox car myself, but I have used the techniques he shows on a number of other projects including a 1970s classic vintage Kenwood Chef food mixer, to good effect.

Edited September 7, 2021 by AndyHull

[LadyFi]

6 hours ago, AndyHull said:

(Watch out for the toothbrush running gag in the video).

 

I've never painted a matchbox car myself, but I have used the techniques he shows on a number of other projects including a 1970s classic vintage Kenwood Chef food mixer, to good effect.

Great post.  I have a Kenwood Chef 901 where the black enamel paint is peeling off the base.  Machine's in use at least once a week.  It's a good workhorse and far better than the new models which break down easily.  Might give it a facelift in the future.  No hurry because it's cosmetic.