adventures in handle refinishing

grnamin

grnamin

Joined
Oct 6, 1998
Messages
2,269
I read members' posts in two watch forums about putting a duller finish on their titanium-bodied watches by immersing the case in Oxi Clean. Well, I decided to try the same of my heavily-scratched Sebenza handle. Materials needed:
1) a tub of Oxi Clean
2) warm/hot tap water
3) a glass deep enough to totally immerge Sebenza handle scales in

I mixed up a scoop of Oxi Clean in a glass filled with warm/hot tap water. Whatever temperature of hot water that comes out of your tap will do. Immerge handle scales in water for about an hour. A drinking glass made of glass works best so you can see the titanium oxidation progress. Here are the before and after shots:

Before
orig.jpg


After
orig.jpg


The scratches still show, but not as much and the handle is now a darker grey than when it came right out of the box.
 
That's very interesting. Thanks for posting. I might try it with one of mine.
John...
 
grnamin, nice treatment, looks good!
But, is that Sebenza an intermediate model between the current regular and the classic? I don't see the ridges at the lock-release. Also, what are the two screw holes for near the pivot and the milled out part near the clip hole?

Cheers,
Ted
 
Thanks, everyone! :) Ted, I customized a scallop handled Sebenza by using a drum sander to remove the scallops. The extra holes are for a deep pocket carry tip down carry clip. Here's what it looks like fully assembled (pre-Oxi Clean treatment):

standard.jpg
 
grnamin,
Nice mods, especially like the low ride clip.

Ted,
To answer your question regarding the milled out section under where the original clip is positioned.
Back around 1999, prior to the newer clip design, CRK milled out this section to make more room for use in the pockets of thicker jeans. With the introduction of the new style clip, this milling was no longer required. This milling was only done for a short while.

dave
 
My small regular is being oxy-cleaned as we speak. It was already fairly dark from heavy carry and use, I'll let you know if it darkens it up any more.
John...

p.s. Think I'll pass on soaking my titanium Sinn EZM1 though! ;)
 
Oxy-clean complete. Knife rinsed, dryed, lubed and reassembled. Gave it a nice dark almost charcoal grey finish. I like! Thank you for the tip and being the guinne (sp) pig. :)

John...
 
any way to make it go back if you dont like it, can somone post more pics thanks
 
Thanks to all once again. :) You're welcome, John. :D Scarface, the only way I can think of to bring the finish back to original would be to let it wear off over time or have the handle re-beadblasted. The titanium oxide layer resulting from the titanium reacting to the Oxi Clean coats the whole surface of the handle.
 
Just read this and could not resist. i took apart my Rick Hinderer Firetac Extreme, removed the G-10 insert, and placed it in a quart jar that I had filled with hot water and 1 scoop of Oxy Clean. In 54 minutes I will know the results. Even though the jar is clear the mixture is milky white so I can see very little of the titanium. The mixture is bubbling away with a lot of foam coming out the top. Does anyone know the exact reaction that is occuring here? :confused: Whatever it is I like the look of that charcoal gray! :D :cool:
 
grnamin said:
Thanks, everyone! :) Ted, I customized a scallop handled Sebenza by using a drum sander to remove the scallops. The extra holes are for a deep pocket carry tip down carry clip. Here's what it looks like fully assembled (pre-Oxi Clean treatment):

standard.jpg
Click to expand...
I love that deep ride clip, I need to get me one for my small regular. You should get the CRK plug for the original hole.... :confused:
 
would this work on the cammilus dominator or do u need a beadblasted finish like the sebenzas, im gonna do my sebbenza when it comes back from getting repaired, does anyone know if this will void the warranty
 
Bobby B said:
I love that deep ride clip, I need to get me one for my small regular. You should get the CRK plug for the original hole.... :confused:
Click to expand...

I've been meaning to, but I keep putting it off.

The Oxi Clean treatment should work on any exposed titanium so long as there isn't any surface protectant of any sort. Be sure to degrease the handle first. I used regular rubbing alcohol for that. Don't know if the warranty will be void by this process. You may want to ask first.
 
Well to report back after doing the "treatment"; I allowed the titanium handles to stay in the mixture for about 1.5 hours before taking them out and rinsing them off using some hot water. I let them sit and dry a bit and then sprayed them down with Windex and wiped that off. What i have is a darker coloration that almost comes out as a gray with a bluish look. Really looks good and I'm thrilled with it.
 
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