Congealed lubricant/Vaseline throughout movement; what is this?

[fixermole]

For my first forum post, I'd like to know what this stuff all through the pictured movement could be. Has anyone come across anything like this?

I've stripped and cleaned everything, and the grease-like substance very readily dissolves in light petroleum distillates, so there's no damage. As the pictures show, this stuff was on everything, down to the hairspring, and on both sides of the movement.

I've heard about the infamous "spray with WD-40"-like incidents, but never actually seen anything close to this. Any thoughts?

[jdm]

10 minutes ago, fixermole said:

For my first forum post, I'd like to know what this stuff all through the pictured movement could be. 

Just FYI, most members here consider polite to make an introduction first posting in the dedicated section. 

Also, we have a section for eatch repair questions, this one if for everything except watches. 

[Klassiker]

Maybe not WD-40 but likely to have been sprayed with some other lubricant mixed with a volatile solvent, like Ballistol.

[fixermole]

jdm, thanks. I did introduce myself before this post so I erred in that it is technically my second post.

[jdm]

2 hours ago, fixermole said:

jdm, thanks. I did introduce myself before this post so I erred in that it is technically my second post.

Welcome here and please excuse me for my mistake, now I know why I did it and won't make it again. 

[JohnR725]

if it is literally everywhere between all of the plates then it's possible it's one of the production lubrication methods that they used to have. thanks to material safety sheets we find that one of them was mineral oil dissolved in the final rinse of cleaning. when the solvent was evaporated by capillary action it would migrate to all the pivots and you'd end up with it between all the plates. one of the ones they used to use was tinted blue in color and between the plates it kind at a greenish blue look.

The other thing that occurs is was located around the mainspring barrel and setting parts than whatever grease they were using has kinda broken down and migrated its a example of why you should not be overly enthusiastic with your greasing. Especially in the mainspring barrel because and eventually it will leak out all over the place kinda like what you have here which is what I'm leaning towards.

[HectorLooi]

It looks like a spray grease like a lithium grease.

[Nucejoe]

If you can get your hands on paint thinner 10000( generic name) , soak for couple of hrs and brush off, you might need to repeat, rinse in lighter fluid.

Hairspring is to be removed to soak in paint thinner as the solvent will destroy the shalac on impulse jewel.

Your main problem here is with the shelac on fork and impulse jewels, dip the jewel in paint thinner and scrub with tooth pick, the rest of the fork and roller are to submerge in paint thinner as shelac is sticking out above the solution level( not submerged).

You can leave your hairspring in lighter fluid for hrs.

[Nucejoe]

Some portion of your carburator cleaner is paint thinner 10000, so you partially get the same effect with carb cleaner solvent.

Good luck.

[eezy]

Electrical contact cleaner spray will remove any form of oil and grease and leaves no residue. Available cheaply from car parts shops for about £3 or 4. I used loads of it in the motor trade.

Careful though with painted parts (dials) and probably shellac