Jump to content

Is Rust An Insoluble Problem?


WillFly

Recommended Posts

I'm looking at a 1940s Swiss chrono on eBay at the moment. The pushers are jammed and there's a deal of black rust on the movement - mainly in the winding area - but the dial looks reasonable.

 

Rust in a movement can be a serious problem - is there a stage at which it just isn't worth cleaning and repairing?

 

Rust.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some are OK to clean up - this one is quite bad.

 

Surface rust comes off quite easily but when the corrosion has started to eat into the steel parts then it is best to replace those parts and this is where it can get complicated as a lot of those vintage chrono movements have limited parts availability.

 

As you can see from my article here: http://www.watchservices.co.uk/blog/2013/08/22/restoration-of-tag-heuer-movement-rusted-solid-valjoux-7730-7733/ you can get not bad results on occasion. But my general rule when taking on a job like this is to look at the steel parts - any rust that's gone black (from orange) then the part should be replaced (as long as they are available and within the clients budget). Any rust at all on the wheels or escapement then those parts should be replaced. 

 

I am working on two rusty Valjoux 7750's at the moment - one I just finished (video coming soon) and the other was so bad I have had to replace the whole movement.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for that advice, Mark - this watch is advertised on eBay for £130 - or offer. I think that I shall bypass this one. It's a "Le Phare", which is a reasonable make, but not one worth spending probably the best part of £450+ on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking at the case of that chronograph it looks like it has had a hard life,  if it was 100% perfect what would it be worth?  One in that condition is a bit like buying a used car and then finding it needs this doing and that doing and by the time you have finished paying out you have spent way beyond what it is worth.  Buying off Fleabay is risky at the best of times but I'm sure bargains can be had.

 

RogerC

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quite right, Roger. I bought a Swiss chrono on eBay before Christmas for just a little more than the watch above would cost - and the one I bought was in very reasonable condition indeed. In fact, it's being cleaned, serviced and regulated by Mark as we speak! I think this is worth every penny of the total cost - but I think the Le Phare pictured above is too far gone - and the asking price, even for the age of the watch, is over the top.

 

Will

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Hello from France,

Thank you for this great forum and for the sharing of knowledge.

 

I also have 2 questions about rust and oxidation related to the restoration the higly rusted  7733 Tag Heuer Movement:

1 - what is the technique used to remove rust from the dial ?

2 - which was the product use to remove all the traces of oxidation ?

 

In advance thank you for the advices

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

1 - what is the technique used to remove rust from the dial ?

2 - which was the product use to remove all the traces of oxidation ?

 

 

 

 

1 - I would wager that you would not be able to remove rust from a dial without damaging the paintwork. This is a job for a professional watch dial restorer.

 

2 - There are products which can remove rust but at a cost to the finish of the part - depending on how deep the rust is you can use an abrasive brush (fibre glass brush or brass) to gently rub it away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have just been reading a blog about the restoration of a Jardur Chronograph with a badly rusted Valjoux 71 movement, The whole movement is given an initial 2 hour soak in Horolene clock cleaner prior to strip down. The author states that  "If you ever work on a rusty movement, make sure to soak it in acid or Horolene before taking it apart – it greatly lowers the chances of breaking off pivots". It does seem to have helped on this particular restoration, I think I will give it a try on the next basket case I fall for on fleabay.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have just been reading a blog about the restoration of a Jardur Chronograph with a badly rusted Valjoux 71 movement, The whole movement is given an initial 2 hour soak in Horolene clock cleaner prior to strip down. The author states that  "If you ever work on a rusty movement, make sure to soak it in acid or Horolene before taking it apart – it greatly lowers the chances of breaking off pivots". It does seem to have helped on this particular restoration, I think I will give it a try on the next basket case I fall for on fleabay.

 

Was the Horolene diluted? That stuff is really potent!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Hi,

I'm after a bit of advice please. I got the attached Bergeon pin gauge set in a lot I bought recently. As you can see a few are missing, of the rest some have lost the actual measuring part. However a fair amount are still intact and accurate (measured with a micrometer) and will be very useful. However they all need cleaning, and some have rust although it appears to be a surface coating rather than part of the gauge having corroded. What would be the best way to clean these up and remove the rust without damaging or reducing the sizes of the gauges? Thanks

Stephen

 

post-373-0-56340600-1448125291_thumb.jpg

 

post-373-0-87439100-1448125309_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

RCDesign, can you please give details of the equipment you use in the electrolysis. I think it looks just the job and would like to give it a go.

Thanks, Mike

There's a few how to guides on youtube.

I've used this one for de rusting some old tools.

Suppose it's just a matter of scaling down quantities.

Removing Rust with Electrolysis - WOOD magazine

http://youtu.be/54ADeB6V1rQ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 9 months later...

I just used a simple small 2A 3-12V supply!

For removing rust most seem to use abt 12V but that is probably just because a battery charger is often found in the garage! 

Try 6-12V - when you get a nice "fizz" in the soda with power applied-just check your corroded part every 10s or so!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is the best way I have found to remove rust. Both WASHING SODA and BAKING SODA will work but baking soda does not dissolve as well in the water. I prefer washing soda for this process. For smaller rust spots sometimes I will just soak the rusted piece in Phosphoric Acid for a few minutes.

david

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...

I have read about an early fluid which you can put a movement in if it is very rusty. I've seen it on watchguyuk! I just can't find a post about this because it's several years ago. Does anyone have an idea of what it can be for a liquid that dissolves the screws and other things that are gone fixed?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dissolving screws u can use Alum. Bergeon has a rust remover. Nothing i have tested though. Some  use vineger or baking soda. That i have tested and it works to some extent.  As long as there isn't to much rust damage it works. Alum i have used a lot. But that dissolves the iron screws compelety so take care. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Ive never used epilame H only information i have read and mentally stored about it mostly from Nicklesilver here and elsewhere ( the fork horns thing ), maybe the residue powder that is removed has some grinding effect ? So probably a good idea to limit its application areas to only the absolute necessary. Yes as far as i know epilame rubs off relatively easy, the technique of running the watch to make a groove through it first in the pallet stones where the lubrication is then placed. This i understand creates the barrier for the lube to sit up to. If i can find a good balance of pros and cons of its use then thats one process i can avoid by using a thixotropic lube on the stones. The epilame i would say allows for a more fluid lubrication to be used that would increase amplitude on low beat movements. The stearic acid powder is extremely cheap, the problem is the fuming process to coat parts, is not selective , the whole part has to treated in this method. If epilame residue can cause wear then thats not good, if I remember the conclusion was not proved entirely just a general assumption between watchmakers. The thread is out there somewhere, the same discussion is also old on a facebook group. Ive never used epilame H only information i have read and mentally stored about it mostly from Nicklesilver here and elsewhere ( the fork horns thing ), maybe the residue powder that is removed has some grinding effect ? So probably a good idea to limit its application areas to only the absolute necessary. Yes as far as i know epilame rubs off relatively easy, the technique of running the watch to make a groove through it first in the pallet stones where the lubrication is then placed. This i understand creates the barrier for the lube to sit up to. If i can find a good balance of pros and cons of its use then thats one process i can avoid by using a thixotropic lube on the stones. The epilame i would say allows for a more fluid lubrication to be used that would increase amplitude on low beat movements. The stearic acid powder is extremely cheap, the problem is the fuming process to coat parts, is not selective , the whole part has to treated in this method. If epilame residue can cause wear then thats not good, if I remember the conclusion was not proved entirely just a general assumption between watchmakers. The thread is out there somewhere, the same discussion is also old on a facebook group. If its a potential problem for amateurs to use then i would prefer not to take the risk .
    • Following on from my question about identifying screws in the AS2063 movement that basically fell out of the case in bits, I’m pleased to report that I’ve got it all back together, and the movement is running pretty well.    But… There’s something wrong with the keyless works and hand setting. It’s fine in winding and quickset date position - these work - but in hand setting position winding the crown turns the whole gear train.  I don’t really understand how it’s meant to work. It doesn’t have a traditional friction fit cannon pinion.  The second wheel is unusual with a pair of smaller pinions on it, which seem to interact with the barrel and the motion works.    Could this be the problem? I must admit I just cleaned it and popped it in place when reassembling the gear train. I’ve lubricated the pivots but didn’t do anything to the extra bits on the second wheel.    Does this make sense and is anyone able to figure out what I’m doing wrong? Thanks in advance, as always.    ETA - the parts list calls it the Great Wheel, not second wheel. 
    • You're thinking metal to jewel in general I guess. Maybe it would be a good idea to peg the pallet staff jewel hole on the main plate after the epilame treatment. I think that could work as it is my impression that the epilame doesn't sit very hard, but I could be wrong about that so feel free to educate me. I didn't remember that 9501 was thixotropic (thanks for the link). That would mean it's even runnier during impact (lower viscosity) so perhaps it's time I get some fresh grease as mine seems a bit too runny. What I have seen is a whitish surface after washing but it goes away if I scrub the surface with a brush in a degreaser (Horosolv). I don't think it embeds itself in the metal but sticks very hard to the metal. I don't worry too much about the cleaning solution. I just want perfectly clean parts and my solution can be replaced for little money (ELMA RED 1:9). Anyway, I quite often need "to strip back and rebuild" and scrubbing parts by hand isn't exactly the most stimulating part of a service. Just got confirmation that Moebius 9501 has a lower viscosity (68 cSt at 20° C) than 9504 (305 cSt at 20°). The viscosity of Molykote DX is 285-315 cSt at -25° to +125° C. I was surprised to see that the viscosity of Moebius 9010 (thin oil!) is higher (150 cSt at 20°) than my 9501 grease!
    • I’ve had a couple movements where it is clear the previous watchmaker was diligent with lubrication but the old epilam had turned to a fine white powder covering the pallet fork and keyless parts, which can’t be good for parts. I’m spare with epi since I don’t know how long it takes to degrade to that state…
    • I have read some suggestions that it can cause wear , particularly on the fork horns of a fully treated pallet fork. I've had half a kilo of steriac acid powder on a shelf for almost a year now, might have a little play today with a heater and a jar.  I think its because it gets into their cleaning solutions Mike. Theirs or anyone else's that services the watch next time, or if they need to strip back and rebuild. Could preclean but thats all time for a pro. I thought the idea was for the epilame to create a barrier, a wall between the lubrication and anything else, so the lube cant spread.
×
×
  • Create New...