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Cleaning balance and hairspring


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Horosolv looks to be the same as One Dip, which is what I have.  Both are a modified carbon tetrachloride.  I think it should be ok.  I've soaked balance completes in it and haven't had any problems.  Don't soak in any alcohol because that will dissolve the shellac.  I also use Zenith hairspring cleaner which doesn't leave a residue like One Dip.

https://timesavers.com/i-22336011-zenith-hair-spring-cleaner.html

Edited by DouglasSkinner
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16 hours ago, DouglasSkinner said:

Horosolv looks to be the same as One Dip, which is what I have.  Both are a modified carbon tetrachloride.  I think it should be ok.  I've soaked balance completes in it and haven't had any problems.  Don't soak in any alcohol because that will dissolve the shellac.  I also use Zenith hairspring cleaner which doesn't leave a residue like One Dip.

https://timesavers.com/i-22336011-zenith-hair-spring-cleaner.html

I’m going to soak it in ‘one dip’. I bought it about a year ago but decided to save it for better movements and not to use it on scrap movements due to the cost being much higher than Horosolv. But when I pulled the bottle out there is only about one fifth left in the bottle so I might as well use it before it evaporates completely.

Horosolv is under ‘Watch hairspring cleaning fluids’ on Cousins website but it states to soak the hairspring for 30 seconds, larger pieces for longer periods and aluminium no longer than a few minutes – no mention about Shellac.

Bergeon ‘one dip’ states it is safe with Shellac.

I’m not quite sure how safe is Horosolv on Shellac. I’ve never read anywhere it’s not safe to put a pallet fork in Horosolv for prolonged periods so why the fuss and special fluids for hairsprings?

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