Cleaning the pallet fork and balance

[vext01]

Hi everyone,

I recently read on a forum that you should not clean the pallet fork or the balance with IPA alcohol.

I knew that you shouldn't use IPA on the pallet fork, as it removes the shellac, but why not the balance? And what would you use on these components instead if you were on a budget?

I've recently serviced a Vostok movement where I *did* clean the balance with IPA. No damage was done and the watch works fine, but now I'm curious.

Thanks

[JBerry]

Shellac also secures the roller/impulse jewel to the roller table on the balance assembly.

Zippo lighter fluid/Naptha is commonly used and won't dissolve Shellac

[jdm]

33 minutes ago, vext01 said:

And what would you use on these components instead if you were on a budget?

 Check topic below for a comprehensive discussion 

 

[Klassiker]

The impulse jewel on the balance is usually fixed with shellac too. One way to clean on a budget is to soak / brush / ultrasonic with lighter fuel, then a quick rinse in ipa to get rid of any residues and dry with a blower. Some people on here will not take the risk of getting alcohol on shellac, because it will soften it and dissolve it eventually, but the general consensus is that a few minutes contact don't hurt. Also, ammonia-based cleaners work well and are not too expensive. Then a rinse in alcohol is a good way to finish, because it drives off the water then evaporates without trace.

[jdm]

Just to remind once more that lighter fuel contains oils and fragrances that make it poorly suited in this time - it's formulated to burn not to clean.

Petroleum ether aka is actually cheaper in quantity and easily available.

[vext01]

Thanks everyone for your answers. I had no idea there was shellac on the balance!

I gotta say, I'm very impressed with how friendly the members of this forum are to beginners. So thank you all for that too.

[Klassiker]

jdm could be right about the "lighter fuel". it's a general term as far as I know, and some solutions may have oils etc. added which leave unwanted traces behind. That's why a rinse in alcohol after is a good idea. The purest ipa is not that easy to find though, and not that cheap when you find it.

For the record, this is the "lighter fuel" I use, 5 to 6 Euros for a 1 litre tin.

[anilv]

To check if your cleaining fluid is really clean, put a drop on a mirror and leave it to evaporate. Any residue will the stuff that is left on the parts you clean.

Anilv

[oldhippy]

I always used Ronsonol lighter fluid, you can leave parts in it for days, providing you have a small container with an air tight lid as it evaporates very quick. No parts that have shellac will be harmed in any way.