Cleaning Fluids

[clockboy]

L&R is used by many with no issues. I  have used Elma which also worked fine I just thought it gave off more fumes but the cleaning was fine. I use the the method Mark uses every part in the jars (apart from plastics) I have had no tarnishing or issues. For really dirty movements I give the parts a pre-clean with a de-greaser just to preserve the cleaning solution for as long as possible.

[Shangk]

As a complete novice, I am intending to learn slowly on project movements.    My question is:  What is the best method to go about cleaning without an ultrasonic ?

I am in no great rush, and obviously will only be working on my own stuff.

 

THanks,

 

 

[bjd1020]

Here.....run you about 125 bucks

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[watchweasol]

Hi  Unless you want to dismantle every thing and hand clean in Naptha, Iso Carb cleaner. Invest as bjd suggests it will pay dividends in the long run.

[stevew]

I use lighter fluid or 99% alcohol. But do not use these in a ultrasonic if you purchase one. Watch marks videos on dismantling and assembling. Obviously an ultrasonic and good cleaner for it, are better choices, but as you are learning, they do just a good job.

[bjd1020]

Hi  Unless you want to dismantle every thing and hand clean in Naptha, Iso Carb cleaner. Invest as bjd suggests it will pay dividends in the long run.

Id assume they would dismantle everything. Use the fiberglass pen brush. Ultrasonic using the zenith and rinse using the naptha. The zippo fluid I use for balance assembly soak. The fiberglass brush is messy as it will get tiny little peices of fiber glass everywhere so use latex gloves and do it in a separate location from your bench. I also use an air compressor with a needle fitting used to inflate basketballs and footballs. Im not an expert by no means but this method has allowed me to restore some pretty roached out movements. The fiberglass pen brush is amazing. I also have one that has brass bristles for that really tough clean.

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[bjd1020]

I use lighter fluid or 99% alcohol. But do not use these in a ultrasonic if you purchase one. Watch marks videos on dismantling and assembling. Obviously an ultrasonic and good cleaner for it, are better choices, but as you are learning, they do just a good job.

Yeah.....def dont use anything flamable in the UC. Mine has a heated function which helps tremendously.

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[jdm]

13 hours ago, bjd1020 said:

Yeah.....def dont use anything flamable in the UC. Mine has a heated function which helps tremendously.

Which pretty much reduces the usable solutions to ammonia and soap water.
I have been doing without the U/S since it broke years ago, and I'm still surviving. 

 

Quote

Yeah.....def dont use anything flamable in the UC. Mine has a heated function which helps tremendously.

Check the many threads about using petroleum ether (refined naphta) and Isopropyl alcohol instead of household products. They don't even cost much more, but have guaranteed purity.

Edited October 22, 2019 by jdm

[br549usa]

Hi All

I know some of the viewers reading this post will cringe when they read this but, keep in mind that I am working on <$10US watches from thrift stores that do not run now. So... a watch that will run for 6 ~12 months before needing to be cleaned again is just fine at time.  

As stated, I am a noob at watch repair/cleaning. I have read a few places about watch cleaning solutions (L&R, etc.) that I should use. The problem is, I am on a budget and I want to spend the right money at the right time. By that I mean I am spending my money on basic tools (screw drivers, etc.) and not $40EU/$50US per liter for watch cleaner and the same again on watch rinse. With that being said, I am seeking help - What chemicals can I get locally (Walmart, Target, Home Depot, etc.) that will work for cleaning watch parts?

Can I use Isopropyl 70% Alcohol?

Can I use peroxide 3%?

Can I use Easy-Off oven cleaner?

Can I use paint thinner?

Can I use concentrated Ammonia (via dilution ratio)? 

Can I use CLR - Calcium, Lime, Rust remover (US based product)?

Can I use lighter fluid?

Can I use carburetor clearer - what type? 

Is there something else that will work that don't know about? Also I found a simple ultrasonic jewelry cleaner for $7 (which I think will be useful)

Thanks

[watchweasol]

Hi and welcome to the forum, Regarding cleaning and the fluids to use, In the beginning steer away from household cleaners as you have no way of knowing how they will react with the different metals in a watch. To start with use either Isopropyl alchohol 99% or carburetter cleaner ( no Residue) or simply use Naptha  (lighter fuel) ronsol being one, there are several to choose from. Remember all these products are highly inflamable so must be used in controlled circumstances. All the above will do the job while you are learning. Once your level of competence gets better then move on to some branded cleaner.  It is best not to use the above chemicals in an ultrasonic as is but put water into the ultrasonic put the chemical in a small jar with the parts and put into the machine keeping the water level below that of the jar. The waves will pass through the jar cleaning the parts. But be carefull as these chemicals are INFLAMABLE.

[vinn3]

  good show, welcome to the forum.  vin

[jdrichard]

I have been using lighter fluid for years with no issue at all. It evaporates completely after use. I also use a small artist paint brush and clean all the parts by hand.


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[sjhilbel]

My son and I got a couple movements for teardown and rebuilding practice, however it is very obvious that they have not be cleaned in a while. How does a beginner clean watch parts without a machine?

[Redwood]

An ultrasonic cleaner will do a reasonable job. You can buy them for under £20

[Chopin]

Or you can, for starters, go the manual way and use lighter fluid/naptha (which is what most people recommend, especially for beginner work). Could also use some water and diswashing soap I guess. Perhaps some isopropyl for final rinsing.... ?

Careful what you clean and how. The palet fork needs a different approach. Ultrasonic can make the rubis come off.

[SteveT]

You can use lighter fluid, if you dont have a ultrasonic cleaner

[JohnR725]

A lot of this depends upon how serious you are as a beginner? In other words is is a one time cleaning or a lifetime hobby?

Then for other ideas do a search of the discussion group as others have asked the same question before.

[oldhippy]

Ronsonol lighter fluid or the equivalent is the best way to start.

[jdm]

Many, many topics on the same subject, it's always better to search before asking.

Lighter fluid contains wax, perfume, and other contaminants. It is made to burn well, not to clean well. It was recommendable decades ago when no practical alternatives existed. Use instead petroleum ether, which is pure and leaves no residue. It is cheap and available online.

[oldhippy]

Ronsonol lighter fluid is so safe you can clean watch hairsprings in it. It doesn't dissolve  shellac, so the pallet stones are save and so are the impulse pins on the balance. You can leave parts in Ronsonol for days, providing you have the parts in jar that has a screw fitting lid. The fluid evaporates very quick.  

[sjhilbel]

3 hours ago, jdm said:

Many, many topics on the same subject, it's always better to search before asking.

First and foremost, I'm sorry for not searching for the subject. It's been ages since I've been on any forum so I am very rusty. Lesson learned. 

Many thanks for all the help! These are all very doable starts. Getting a ultrasonic cleaner seems doable, but I appreciate the notes about Ronsonol and petroleum ether. The jewels have been my biggest concern so these two cleaning methods will make first cleanings a bit more palatable. Thank you, all!

[aac58]

Probably everyone have their own workflow for cleaning watch parts, but the products used for beginners (like me) are usually very similar. Here's a video of a guy I follow and I've learn a lot from, talking about how he used to do it (I think he has improved their method and tools), my workflow as an amateur is very similar, although I use naptha instead of Renata which is not availble in my country I think.

BTW, I add amonia to the water/detergent bath, and add a rinse with distilled water after this first bath.

Also, you need to inspect the parts after the cleaning to remove any remaining oil basically on the jewels. With this and a bit of practice you can get very good results.

 

Edited December 18, 2019 by aac58

[rduckwor]

I use naphtha which is essentially lighter fluid.  Get some sealed glass jars from Amazon (Small ones work very well).  You can peg jewels with toothpick/cocktail sticks until you buy some peg wood.  Pith the pivots before and after the first cleaning cycle ( I use three jars successively).  Remember it is flammable and don't breath the vapor from the cleaners any more than necessary.  Naphtha will dissolve many plastics, so be careful or they will contaminate your cleaning jars and potentially damage any plastic parts (Seiko).

 

Good luck and have fun.

RMD

[yankeedog]

Mineral  spirits  work.cheaper and less volatile  than naptha.it is good for hard parts .for hairsprings,carburetor cleaner 

[JohnR725]

depending upon your location and how enthusiastic you will be on cleaning watches it's interesting what can be purchased from Amazon. so lots of ultrasonic machines and cleaning fluids. the only problem is there available in 1 gallon containers and cleaning a few watches here and there that gallon will last you a lifetime. the only problem with a gallon of the cleaning fluid is it seems to go bad after a number of years the rinse appears to be stable.

so the link below is for the rinse which in real life is still a cleaning product. Other than the quantity it's actually designed for cleaning watches versus all the other recommendations above even though they're all in the similar category.

 https://www.amazon.com/Ultrasonic-Watch-Rinsing-Solution-Gallon/dp/B01LORNEDC