WHAT S this????

[gary17]

Hi guys

Left this over night in white vinegar and it want come off. So far i have washed it 3 times in ultasonic  and used ,petrel,white spirits ammonia and it aint shifting.Its like the metal is dissolving.

Also a bridge i left in has come out all blotchy pink blotches if i did not need it i would laugh but jeez.

Any ideas ???

cheers

gary

[Nucejoe]

No chance of base metals survival in a long vinegar bath.

Shouldn't waste time on this one.

Edited September 5, 2020 by Nucejoe
SPRINGS TOO

[Marty]

Hi Don't know the answer but was the piece originally the dark or light colour

[Joseph111]

I have not used vinegar before for cleaning watch movements but I think you have indeed dissolved some of the metal. I have recently done some photo etching (failing to etch some gears) and I recognise the description of having pink blotches on brass (I assume the balance is brass).

Unfortunately the only way I found to remove the discolouration was to remove it mechanically with abrasives. I expect that the parts have probably corroded quite considerably after being left in vinegar and are unlikely to be usable. It probably wouldn't hurt to try cleaning them with some fine wet and dry but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

I probably agree with Nucejoe.

[HSL]

I would say what you are looking at is called Pit corrosion, as you cleaned a corroded part with vinegar it of course took away the rust and left the part full with pits and oxide residues. So as the most here already said it is and was an write off from the begining .
Only use vinegar or other acids to take away surface rust. Use a glass fiber pen to wipe off the residue and  to see how much is gone. Afterwards you always have to polish the part up a bit.

[gary17]

Hey

Once again thanks all very much. 

Bought that fibre glass pen and I will give it a try. Just for the experience plus you never know I may save it hehe.

 

Cheers

Gary

[HSL]

I see it is the Landeron 48 bridge with two holes by the big one, almost threw in one for a Landeron 248 instead.
But here we go this should be a better part to practice on, I throw it in the kit for you.

 

[gary17]

Hey

Cheers hekki.