What are the best practices for polishing an Apple Watch?
The glass surface of the Apple Watch is prone to scratches and scuffs from everyday use. While deep gouges cannot be removed, light surface scratches can be polished out to restore the glass to near-perfect condition. Here are some best practices for polishing the glass on an Apple Watch:
Use a gentle polishing compound
Look for a specialty plastic or glass polish made specifically for delicate surfaces like watches and eyeglasses. General purpose polishes are too abrasive and can damage the glass. Polywatch and Cape Cod Polishing Cloths are two popular options.
Clean the glass thoroughly first
Any particles trapped under the polisher can cause new scratches. Give the glass a thorough cleaning with a microfiber cloth before polishing. An alcohol wipe helps remove oils for a streak-free surface.
Work in a dust-free environment
Polishing will be most effective on a clean, dust-free surface. Polishing on a table or counter top leaves glass vulnerable to new scratches. Consider working on a clean towel placed on your lap.
Use a very light polishing motion
Unlike metals, glass requires an extremely gentle approach. Use just the lightest pressure in small circular motions. Let the polish do the work – no need to rub aggressively.
Restrict polishing to the glass surface
Take care not to get polish on the watch body or band. Mask off areas around the glass with painter’s tape if needed. Acetone can help remove polish from metal surfaces. Avoid other watch components.
Rinse and dry completely
Remove all residue after polishing. For a streak-free finish, do a final cleaning with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution. Dry with a soft microfiber cloth. Inspect closely under bright light.
What are some common questions about polishing an Apple Watch?
How can I remove scratches from my Apple Watch screen?
Light surface scratches can be removed with a gentle plastic polish like Polywatch applied with a soft polishing cloth. Clean the glass thoroughly first and work in a dust-free environment. Use very light circular motions. Heavy scratches and gouges cannot be repaired through polishing.
Is it safe to polish the glass on my Apple Watch?
Yes, when done properly with care and the right polish, light polishing is safe for the durable glass surface. Avoid liquid solutions not designed for watch glass and never use abrasives. Mask off watch body components to keep polish restricted to the glass.
What household items can I use to polish an Apple Watch?
Avoid household cleaners and abrasives. Things like toothpaste and baking soda can be too abrasive. Plastic polish products designed specifically for watch glass like Polywatch are recommended. Cape Cod Polishing Cloths also work well.
How do I polish the Apple Watch without removing the color?
Apple Watch screens are made from strengthened ion-exchange glass. The color is saturated through the thickness of the glass, not just a surface coating. Using a gentle plastic polish and light pressure removes fine scratches only, leaving the color intact.
Can I polish the ion-X glass on the Apple Watch Sport?
Yes, the ion-strengthened glass on the Apple Watch Sport glances can be polished just like the sapphire crystal models. Follow the same recommendations for specialized polish and gentle technique. Expect similarscratch removal results.
Do I need to take off my Apple Watch band before polishing?
The watch band can be left in place for most polishing. Tape off any areas of the watch body to prevent contact with polish. For best results, remove the band and thoroughly clean the watch before polishing just the glass surface.
Will an Apple store polish scratches from my Apple Watch for me?
Apple store Genius Bar staff do not offer glass polishing services. Any polishing would void the warranty. Your best bet is to polish at home following the recommendations for gentle plastic polish products and technique.
Can I buff out scratches on my Apple Watch with toothpaste?
Toothpaste is too abrasive for the thin glass of an Apple Watch and can cause new hairline scratches. Instead, use a designated plastic polish formula designed specifically for watch crystals and delicate surfaces. Apply with a soft polishing cloth only.
Is there a liquid or cream that can fix Apple Watch scratches?
Polywatch and similar polishing compounds are a very mild abrasive cream specifically for use on watch glasses, phone screens and other delicate surfaces. Apply a small amount to a soft polishing cloth, not directly on the glass. Gently buff in small circles.
Step-by-Step Polishing Process
Follow these steps for best results removing light scratches from your Apple Watch glass:
1. Remove Apple Watch band (recommended)
While not essential, removing the band provides easier access to the entire watch face and prevents contact with polish. Place a towel on a table and carefully remove the band.
2. Clean glass surface
Use a microfiber cloth to thoroughly clean the watch glass. For oil removal, use an alcohol wipe or diluted vinegar solution for a streak-free finish.
3. Mask surrounding watch body (optional)
If desired, use painter’s tape to mask off the watch body surrounding the glass surface. This protects metal components from contact with polish.
4. Shake polish bottle before applying
Agitate the polish bottle or tube per instructions before applying to cloth. This ensures even distribution of the mild abrasives.
5. Apply small amount of polish to soft cloth
Put a dime-sized amount of plastic polish like Polywatch on a designated polishing cloth. Do not apply directly on the watch glass.
6. Gently polish the glass in circular motions
Use light pressure and small circular movements. Let the polish do the work. Polish the entire glass surface for 2-3 minutes.
7. Remove polish residue
Wipe away all polish from the glass using a clean microfiber cloth. Follow with a vinegar-water cleaning solution to remove any haze.
8. Rinse and dry watch completely
Rinse the entire watch under water to remove all polish residue. Dry immediately and thoroughly with a soft cloth.
9. Inspect glass for remaining scratches
Under bright light, look closely for any remaining faint scratches. Repeat polishing if needed, up to 3-4 times maximum.
Home Remedies to Avoid
It’s tempting to reach for household items to buff out small scratches. However, most home remedies are ineffective or too abrasive for delicate watch glass. Avoid the following:
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is slightly abrasive for cleaning teeth but far too abrasive for the thin glass on an Apple Watch. The gritty particles in toothpaste can cause new fine scratches.
Baking soda
Like toothpaste, baking soda has a slightly abrasive texture unsuitable for polishing watch glass. Baking soda can scratch the glass and get trapped underneath the polisher.
Metal polish or chrome polish
Metal polishes are formulated to shine and buff metal surfaces like chrome or stainless steel. They will quickly damage the softer glass lens on an Apple Watch.
Vinegar
Vinegar is great cleaning agent but does not contain abrasives strong enough to buff out scratches in glass. Use it as a cleaning solution prior to polishing.
Rubbing alcohol
Alcohol can clean oils and dirt from glass but has no properties to remove scratches. It may dry out and weaken polish products. Best for preparatory cleaning only.
About Apple Watch Glass
Understanding the glass composition helps explain effective polishing techniques for scratch removal.
Sapphire vs Ion-X Glass
The more expensive Apple Watch models feature sapphire crystal glass. This is second only to diamond for hardness. Ion-strengthened glass on the Sport models is softer but still very durable. Both can be polished with care.
| Glass Material | Models | Hardness Level |
|---|---|---|
| Sapphire Crystal | Stainless steel and titanium models | 9 out of 10 on Mohs scale |
| Ion-X strengthened glass | Aluminum Apple Watch Sport models | 6 to 6.5 out of 10 |
Glass strength
Both sapphire crystal and Ion-X glass are extremely scratch-resistant. Day-to-day bumps and scrapes rarely leave a mark. With care, light polishing can remove surface scuffs accumulated over time.
Why gentle polishing works
The secret lies in the precise hardness of materials. Sapphire rates a 9 out of 10 on the mineral hardness scale. A professional polish may rate 7-8. Just hard enough to gently buff the glass without grinding down the surface. Home remedies like toothpaste are likely harder, causing deep new scratches instead. Precision is key.
Professional Repair Options
While light scratches can be removed with home polishing, some users may opt for professional services for heavily scratched glass or replacement.
Apple Store
Genius Bar staff at the Apple Store do not perform glass polishing and will not replace watch glass. Any alteration is considered damage and will void your warranty. You can purchase a refurbished replacement watch.
Other repair shops
Independent repair shops can offer glass replacement services for an Apple Watch. This requires disassembling the watch to swap in a new watch glass lens. Costs start around $200.
Mail-in services
Repair providers like iCracked and uBreakiFix offer Apple Watch glass replacement by mail. You ship them the watch, they replace the lens and return the watch a few days later. Average turnaround 1 week at a cost around $250.
Conclusion
With care and the proper materials, light scratches and scuffs on the glass of an Apple Watch can be buffed out through gentle polishing. Allowing only the most delicate abrasives to contact the surface retains optical clarity without damaging the glass. While deep gouges require replacement, polishing extends the clear life of an Apple Watch face. Follow these tips for best results safely removing surface scratches.