Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

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3migo
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Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by 3migo » Wed Jun 22, 2022 2:16 pm

Hey all! Hoping you may have some guidance/suggestions here.

I recently returned from a beach trip where I wore my Scurfa MS21 daily. Upon returning, I noticed some staining/discoloration on the sapphire crystal, which I attempted to photograph the best I could. I attempted cleaning it with dish soap thinking it could be left behind sunscreen/oil, but doesn't appear to have made any change.

Very possible that sunscreen, bug spray, etc got sprayed onto the crystal and sat for days, I wasn't overly mindful of it. But I'm curious if you all have any thoughts about how I could clean/remedy this, or if you've encountered anything similar before.

It's not the end of the world, and hardly noticeable most of the time, but if it's possible to clean it up I'd like to.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

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JP Chestnut
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by JP Chestnut » Wed Jun 22, 2022 2:35 pm

Seems weird. Is it AR coated on the outside? If so, you might have ruined the coating somehow.

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3migo
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by 3migo » Wed Jun 22, 2022 2:51 pm

JP Chestnut wrote:
Wed Jun 22, 2022 2:35 pm
Seems weird. Is it AR coated on the outside? If so, you might have ruined the coating somehow.
That was my initial thought, and that could definitely be the case.

According to the spec sheet, Scurfa says the MS21 has an AR coating on the underside, but doesn't mention the top.

If it is the AR coating, I'll probably just go ahead and try to remove the rest of the coating from the outside.

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tattoo chef
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by tattoo chef » Wed Jun 22, 2022 3:01 pm

3migo wrote:
JP Chestnut wrote:
Wed Jun 22, 2022 2:35 pm
Seems weird. Is it AR coated on the outside? If so, you might have ruined the coating somehow.
That was my initial thought, and that could definitely be the case.

According to the spec sheet, Scurfa says the MS21 has an AR coating on the underside, but doesn't mention the top.

If it is the AR coating, I'll probably just go ahead and try to remove the rest of the coating from the outside.
Just shoot an email to Paul, he’ll help figure it out.

Also; are you sure it’s on the outside and not weird condensation on the inside of the crystal that’s messed with the internal AR?


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3migo
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by 3migo » Wed Jun 22, 2022 3:08 pm

tattoo chef wrote:
Wed Jun 22, 2022 3:01 pm
3migo wrote:
JP Chestnut wrote:
Wed Jun 22, 2022 2:35 pm
Seems weird. Is it AR coated on the outside? If so, you might have ruined the coating somehow.
That was my initial thought, and that could definitely be the case.

According to the spec sheet, Scurfa says the MS21 has an AR coating on the underside, but doesn't mention the top.

If it is the AR coating, I'll probably just go ahead and try to remove the rest of the coating from the outside.
Just shoot an email to Paul, he’ll help figure it out.

Also; are you sure it’s on the outside and not weird condensation on the inside of the crystal that’s messed with the internal AR?


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Doesn't seem to be any sort of condensation. I don't see any fogging or anything else inside the case/under the crystal.

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toxicavenger
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Jun 22, 2022 5:48 pm

rub some toothpaste on it to see if it will remove it. i had the same thing happen on a rolex. freaking bug spray like etched the crystal.

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DEMO
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by DEMO » Thu Jun 23, 2022 6:52 am

Bug spray has some nasty stuff in it that will affect watch crystals. Like terry said above, try some toothpaste or other mild polish.
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Selym
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by Selym » Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:22 am

I know DEET can damage acrylic, but I had no idea it could stain glass or sapphire. :shrug:

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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by Abmw » Thu Jun 23, 2022 2:19 pm

I get waterspots/staining on my Sinn watches with AR coatings and they dont come off . On non-AR crystals, toothpaste will usually take it off the waterspots.
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3migo
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by 3migo » Thu Jun 23, 2022 5:40 pm

Thanks for the toothpaste recommendation! I'll give that a try.

I had tried Dawn dish soap previously with no luck. Emailed Paul and he confirmed that the MS21 doesn't have an outer AR coating, so it's likely something just cooked onto the crystal.

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Torrid
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by Torrid » Thu Jun 23, 2022 6:49 pm

Selym wrote:
Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:22 am
I know DEET can damage acrylic, but I had no idea it could stain glass or sapphire. :shrug:
I've ruined polycarbonate sunglasses this way for sure. I don't recall it happening to glass lenses but if I'm using DEET it's usually while working and I have safety rated polycarbonate glasses on.

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dukerules
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by dukerules » Thu Jun 23, 2022 7:50 pm

3migo wrote:Thanks for the toothpaste recommendation! I'll give that a try.

I had tried Dawn dish soap previously with no luck. Emailed Paul and he confirmed that the MS21 doesn't have an outer AR coating, so it's likely something just cooked onto the crystal.
I might try a 50:50 distilled water: white vinegar soak first.

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3migo
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by 3migo » Fri Jun 24, 2022 4:01 pm

Toothpaste+toothbrush did the trick perfectly. Thanks all for the help!

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toxicavenger
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Re: Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by toxicavenger » Fri Jun 24, 2022 6:30 pm

3migo wrote:
Fri Jun 24, 2022 4:01 pm
Toothpaste+toothbrush did the trick perfectly. Thanks all for the help!
good deal. :salute:

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Wario406
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Staining/discoloration on sapphire crystal?

Post by Wario406 » Sat Jun 25, 2022 3:42 pm

I use Novus - learned this trick long ago when I used it on my helmet face shields. Image


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