6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

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Coco
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6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by Coco » Sun Mar 28, 2021 3:55 am

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum but started building up my vintage dive collection.
I have a 1970s Seiko 6105 8000 with mouldy lume. I would like to know the best way to clean the lume as I don't want to relume it as I like an original vintage feel.
I just want to see some of the original lume but the dreaded black mould has taken over!

Can I ask what you would do personally with my watch?
Clean lume?
Leave untouched?
Relume?

Here are some photos to help,
Thanks in advance 🙏
Coco
Screenshot_20210327_001843.jpg
Screenshot_20210327_001816.jpg
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dnslater
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by dnslater » Sun Mar 28, 2021 3:58 am

Welcome, I wouldn’t relume, but a light cleaning should do wonders for that dial. Have you serviced the movement?

Coco
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by Coco » Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:01 am

Hi. I haven't serviced it yet but don't know best way to lightly clean the lume. Any cleaning tips would be appreciated 🙏

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deepcdvr
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by deepcdvr » Sun Mar 28, 2021 5:40 am

Welcome to DWC :cheers:

Good luck with you mold issue... I would think a cotton swab with bleach or vinegar would do the trick, but don’t listen to me - I’m not a real WIS ;)
VR/
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Coco
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by Coco » Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:38 am

Thanks Paul. I started getting into dive watches 3 months ago and now i'm well and truly addicted & my missus is threatening to leave me😂
I will research more before i clean it and hopefully someone has a magic cleaning formula out there!
Coco

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gr8sw
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by gr8sw » Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:10 am

nice looking 6105! I would send it to Jack @ IWW and get a relume... he can match the original color or whatever shade you'd like... your lume is probably not very stable at this point...

I sold this recently with all original lume... Jack could recreate this color

6105.jpeg
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Coco
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by Coco » Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:59 am

Thanks for the advice. I was going to give it a small clean to see how deep the black mould had gone into original mould. However once i try this, you are right and it may need a relume.
Cheers for the recommendation 🙏

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Selym
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by Selym » Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:38 pm

Unless you have experience with dial restoration, you might consider either practicing on a less valuable piece first, or leaving it to a pro.

In any case, good luck!

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CarloDWC
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by CarloDWC » Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:52 pm

If it is all original, meaning OEM and not aftermarket, I would not touch it. Due to the mold and who knows what else, you might end up damaging the dial lume or paint, leaving either scratches, missing paint, messed up lume. Don't ask me how I know... :oops:

Of course maybe a PRO dial restorer might be able to improve the appearance, however remember that it would then be restored and possibly have new paint or new lume on it.

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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by HapaHapa » Sun Mar 28, 2021 1:55 pm

CarloDWC wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:52 pm
If it is all original, meaning OEM and not aftermarket, I would not touch it. Due to the mold and who knows what else, you might end up damaging the dial lume or paint, leaving either scratches, missing paint, messed up lume. Don't ask me how I know... :oops:

Of course maybe a PRO dial restorer might be able to improve the appearance, however remember that it would then be restored and possibly have new paint or new lume on it.
I was thinking along the same lines. Your watch is quite valuable in original condition. Unless you have a pro work on it, I think there’s a very good chance you will end up with a much less valuable item after trying to clean the lume.

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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by River Rat » Sun Mar 28, 2021 2:45 pm

When I got mine it looked like yours but this was years ago when they were not valuable think I paid 300 bucks off ebay. Had Jack at IWW relume it got a replacement crystal off ebay had a local service it and replace the crystal. They have went up in value by 3-4 times and some buyers are picky and some not at relume. And welcome to the forum.
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Coco
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by Coco » Sun Mar 28, 2021 5:52 pm

Thanks. Wow your watch looks amazing - i quite like the vintage aged look so i will see if i can find a professional restorer in the Uk who can service my watch and clean up the lume.
Im on the hunt for a vintage 62mas now!
Thanks all for welcoming me to your community!

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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by tmw » Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:27 pm

Try Rexworthy watches in the uk for seiko service and restoration. He is on Instagram.
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aikiman44
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by aikiman44 » Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:57 pm

Welcome. It’s important to at least have the lume stabilized.
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TSD
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by TSD » Sun Mar 28, 2021 8:31 pm

Coco wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 5:52 pm
Im on the hunt for a vintage 62mas now!
Thanks all for welcoming me to your community!
Welcome. Send a PM to our friend Alex (Morethan1) and see if he still has his 62MAS for sale.

I’d also check with Duncan (google The Watch Bloke UK). Definitely worth having the 6105 properly restored.
:cheers:

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toxicavenger
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by toxicavenger » Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:17 am

in my experience you can not clean that lume. the biggest thing is finding why moisture got inside of it. i would get the crown serviced and all of the gaskets changed.

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Morethan1
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by Morethan1 » Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:35 am

toxicavenger wrote:
Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:17 am
in my experience you can not clean that lume. the biggest thing is finding why moisture got inside of it. i would get the crown serviced and all of the gaskets changed.
+1
A relume would be best

Coco
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by Coco » Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:08 pm

Thanks all. I had experience with a relume and it just looked so new and lost alot of it's vintage patina. My hope is that someone in the forum has found a way to clean 'some' of the black mould.
This would be step 1 and if it doesn't work then a relume is it!

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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by HapaHapa » Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:34 pm

Coco wrote:
Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:08 pm
Thanks all. I had experience with a relume and it just looked so new and lost alot of it's vintage patina. My hope is that someone in the forum has found a way to clean 'some' of the black mould.
This would be step 1 and if it doesn't work then a relume is it!
Talk to Morethan1. Restoring older dive watches is his thing.
The Hapa

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toxicavenger
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by toxicavenger » Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:23 pm

Coco wrote:
Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:08 pm
a way to clean 'some' of the black mould.
cleaning lume is not possible. jack at iww can make a relume look vintage. leaving mold in a watch is not a good thing.

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toxicavenger
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by toxicavenger » Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:24 pm

HapaHapa wrote:
Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:34 pm
Coco wrote:
Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:08 pm
Thanks all. I had experience with a relume and it just looked so new and lost alot of it's vintage patina. My hope is that someone in the forum has found a way to clean 'some' of the black mould.
This would be step 1 and if it doesn't work then a relume is it!
Talk to Morethan1. Restoring older dive watches is his thing.
Morethan1 wrote:
Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:35 am
toxicavenger wrote:
Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:17 am
in my experience you can not clean that lume. the biggest thing is finding why moisture got inside of it. i would get the crown serviced and all of the gaskets changed.
+1
A relume would be best
he replied :mrgreen:

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Morethan1
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by Morethan1 » Tue Mar 30, 2021 7:52 am

you have 3 options, you have to chose.

- Try to get someone to remove the mould, this will cost you $. Chance of the result not turning out like you'd hoped, which you'll probably do a relume, cost more $
- Do relume, cost you less $
- Sell as is and get one that looks the way you want, you'll probably get low value due to the mold

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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by River Rat » Tue Mar 30, 2021 8:01 am

Some relumers do relume that has patina look you just have to find a good one. Also when lume deteriorates flakes can get into the movement. Some watchmakers use super glue under the hands to stabilize the old lume. When I bought mine when it looked like yours I knew I was going to relume it.

Coco
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by Coco » Tue Mar 30, 2021 1:41 pm

Great advice guys! Selling isn't an option - i just bought it😂
Im based in UK so finding the best lume man seems the best bet👌

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gr8sw
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Re: 6105 - Mouldy Lume advice.

Post by gr8sw » Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:58 pm

this is who you want in UK, James Hyman... https://www.alchemistrelumer.co.uk

good luck and let's see the before and afters :cheers:
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