Russian Watch w Liquefied Gasket

[monastic]

I have a Russian wristwatch with what I assume is a vintage electric movement (transition between mechanical and quartz). It's attractive and it runs, and I want to keep it that way.
HOWEVER -

The old gasket has turned to sticky nasty goo, and the goo is holding the movement in the case around the inside of the dial. I don't want to ruin the movement or get the dial face dirty trying to get the assembly out of the case, but it's stuck in there tight. Even so, I have no idea how to clean it once I have it apart. As a test I've tried letting the back parts sit in soap before washing them off. And when that didn't budge the tar, I tried GooGone - also to no avail. 

Anybody with experience here, please help. Thanks!

Edited January 21, 2020 by monastic
Typos

[Gpsluvr]

What a mess. Ronsonol lighter fluid and a box of cotton swabs, with lots of caution. That ‘s one option. I’ve used it to do that and it also will not usually affect any of the painted parts. Other solvents will ruin the dial or crystal. Steve


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[monastic]

Thanks, Steve - Good to know the Ronsonol won't damage the finish. Still wary that the black stuff doesn't bleed around the edges. Will give that a try in the next few days, Thanks!

[Lwayslate]

If all else...consider reassembling the back, removing the bezel and gently using compressed to pop the crystal while wrapped up in a cloth. Or use a crystal lift if acrylic. Then remove the back and hands and gently pressing from the dial side (protected) while softening the goo with heat from a hair-dryer.

Good luck!

 

Sent from my BBF100-2 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

[yankeedog]

naphtha and a box of q tips

[watchweasol]

Hi  If ronsonol doesnt shift it try white spirit again using buds, It softens tar and removes tar spots on cars. Which ever method take your time and remove it in degrees, and only dampen the swab.     good luck.

[jdm]

Personally I would just remove the most of the goo with an 1mm driver while keeping the watch face up. Then remove the module and bezel and drop the entire case in your favorite cleaner.

[monastic]

9 hours ago, yankeedog said:

naphtha and a box of q tips

My mind went straight to "naptha and a box of matches" - Tempting...

Great ideas from everyone and I'm pondering which to try next. Likely won't get back to it until the weekend, but I'll be sure to let you all know what happens. Thanks!

Edited January 22, 2020 by monastic

[yankeedog]

A controlled  burn? Or conflagration?

[monastic]

2 hours ago, yankeedog said:

A controlled  burn? Or conflagration?

Let's go big. 

[monastic]

Reporting back. Here's what worked: Hand sanitizer.

Decided to give it a try since none of the other conventional cleaners were touching it. Best thing ever - it dissolved the black goop immediately and it wiped away easily with bud swabs and Scott tissue. It works really well removing Sharpie marker and tape goo, guess gasket removal goes on the list, too.

[AndyHull]

Thanks for the tip.

[watchabit]

Monastic, would that be the pump bottle gel type? I'm surprised that would have enough solvent to dissolve the rubber goo but I love learning something new like this. Please share what type you used. 

Come to think of it, some of those products do have alcohol in them, maybe that was the ticket...

Edited February 6, 2020 by watchabit

[bklake]

What was the main ingredient in the hand sanitizer?  Some are ethanol some are isopropyl. It might be other ingredients that help lift away the goo. 

[monastic]

I have used several brands of hand sanitizer for cleaning felt marker and other kinds of tenacious stains and goo off of smooth surfaces.

The ones I have all over the house right now are little flip-cap travel-size bottles. They all use ethyl alcohol as the active ingredient - 60% to 70%. The specific one I used on this Russian watch is a Safeway brand product. It compares itself to Purell, but states that it is not made by GOJO, which makes Purell. 

I don't know squat about chemistry, but I wonder if the gel element keeps the alcohol from drying out before it can liquefy whatever goo it needs to so it can be wiped away? I can't tell that it leaves a residue either. 

Edited February 7, 2020 by monastic
OCD