Cleaning Fluids

[Don]

I'm going to have to try some Ronsonal. I've been using Zenith hairspring cleaner. It seems to work okay, but it's expensive.

[Don]

I'm going to see my butcher about getting a burnt mutton bone too.

[Blacklab]

As far as I can ascertain both Ronsonal & Essence of Renata are basically the same, it just that the former can be bought cheaper & in bulk from fleabay. As for Ronsonal or similar having any affect on shellac I have yet to see it, having left pallet forks in the stuff for a week or more, then blasted in the ultrasonic without any ill effects......yet.

[Gotwatch]

As far as I can ascertain both Ronsonal & Essence of Renata are basically the same, it just that the former can be bought cheaper & in bulk from fleabay. As for Ronsonal or similar having any affect on shellac I have yet to see it, having left pallet forks in the stuff for a week or more, then blasted in the ultrasonic without any ill effects......yet.

 

Yes, Ronsonal or lighter fluid will not attack shellac. Alcohol, however, will dissolve shellac and should be avoided on pallets and roller jewels.

[Gingerr6]

Afternoon Guys,

 

I have just purchased and Tissot with a 2824-2 that needs a refresh.

 

I have repaired 2 of the same movement before but this will be my 1st full strip and re build.

 

What's the best way of cleaning the parts either by hand or ultrasonic?

 

do I need specialist chemicals? bear in mind I wont be doing this all the time :)

 

list of parts would be appreciated.

 

Many thanks

James.

 

 

[Gingerr6]

Also,  I have loops but I am thinking of this :

 

Donegan No.5
Mag x2½ @ 20cm (8")

 

Can someone advise the 8" means and the best Mag x.

 

thanks.

[clockboy]

I think the movement is an ETA 2836-2. If so the strip down and drawings can be found on the ETA web site. It looks like the movement has had water ingress so a complete strip down,clean reassembly & lubrication will be required.

[rogart63]

I think the movement is an ETA 2836-2. If so the strip down and drawings can be found on the ETA web site. It looks like the movement has had water ingress so a complete strip down,clean reassembly & lubrication will be required.

Agree with CB that acctually looks like a ETA 2836-2 movement . Tissot only has 21 jewels and has a different rotor .

Edited August 19, 2015 by rogart63

[Gingerr6]

That's what was on the listing :) dont matter either way..... guess it's a better movement.

Any recommendations on the cleaning and magnification ??

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[Geo]

Hi Ginger, the 2.5x magnification should be fine for stripping and assembly, although being old and blind I tend to use a 3.5x. The 8" means you will have roughly 8" of space to work between the visor and movement.

If you are just starting off, I would recommend using Ronsol or Zippo lighter fuel and a small brush to clean the parts. An ultrasonic tank would be a lot better, but I would hold back on that and proprietary cleaners until you find out how keen you are going to be.

[Gingerr6]

Hi Ginger, the 2.5x magnification should be fine for stripping and assembly, although being old and blind I tend to use a 3.5x. The 8" means you will have roughly 8" of space to work between the visor and movement.

If you are just starting off, I would recommend using Ronsol or Zippo lighter fuel and a small brush to clean the parts. An ultrasonic tank would be a lot better, but I would hold back on that and proprietary cleaners until you find out how keen you are going to be.

Excellent. I guessed as much on the 8".

Good tip about the lighter fluid :) thanks.

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[DJT2]

Hi ginger, I recently cleaned a movement that had similar signs of water ingress & I found this video Mark did very useful. Although it's of a 7750 movement,  he does show &  discuss a couple of methods he used to clean the particularly bad areas. I think it's round 14mins in https://youtu.be/BesSK67Mzms. 

[Geo]

Have a read of this thread Ginger.

http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/2181-filthy-watches/?p=22041

[Gingerr6]

Agree with CB that acctually looks like a ETA 2836-2 movement . Tissot only has 21 jewels and has a different rotor .

Hi guys. It's defiantly a 2824-2.

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[bosstaki]

Hi guys, I'm looking for watch cleaning fluids, I've not used any before! So I'm looking types & makes of fluids, I've not got a ultrasonic machine yet, so I'll be cleaning parts by hand in glass jars....... Cheers!

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Edited September 9, 2015 by bosstaki

[Geo]

Have a read of this threads.

http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/2781-question-about-priory-polish-cleaner/?hl=%2Bpriory+%2Bpolish

http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/2181-filthy-watches/?hl=%2Bpriory+%2Bpolish#entry22041

[StuartBaker104]

This thread is also very helpful

http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/2265-cleaning-watch-parts/?hl=renata#entry24253

S

[DJT2]

Hi guys, I've been absent of late due to decorating to keep the wife happy. But I'd like to discuss a conversation I had with a friend who is the technical manager for a leading Swiss watch manufacturer. I asked him what he felt was the best degreaser to buy at present. He said" without question & nothing can compare, isopropanol which is available from the chemist. I was surprised to hear that they also use it in the final rinse pot during cleaning". He said you can't leave the lid off as it evaporates. He said it's ideal for the last rinse because of this fact.

Has anybody else used this product. I've just order 5ltr off amazon for £15,so pretty cheap.

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[matabog]

Hello!

I wash the parts in neophaline (benzine) but after that the parts sometimes have a thin layer of grease on them. For that I use isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol).

But be very careful - the alcohol dissolves the shellac so don't use it on the pallets and the balance wheel.

 

Bogdan

[DJT2]

Hello!

I wash the parts in neophaline (benzine) but after that the parts sometimes have a thin layer of grease on them. For that I use isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol).

But be very careful - the alcohol dissolves the shellac so don't use it on the pallets and the balance wheel.

Bogdan

Glad you told me that, I was going to drop the whole balance assembly in to degrease the hairspring.

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[Geo]

I too use it as a final rinse when using water based cleaners in my ultrasonic cleaner, not for it's de-greasing qualities, but being alcohol it absorbs any residual moisture and aids drying.

Heed Bogdan's advice and never put anything with shellac in alcohol.

[DJT2]

Thanks Geo, how long would you normally soak the hairspring etc

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[Geo]

I clean the balance and hairspring mounted on the main plate. I rinse off the cleaner by submerging the plate in a basin of water at 50 degrees centigrade for about ten seconds, then blow off the excess water with a puffer. The plate is then placed in a container with alcohol and agitated with the puffer for about thirty seconds. I then remove the plate and place the plate onto a folded piece of kitchen roll to absorb the majority of the alcohol and gently use the puffer to blow air on the balance until it starts to swing correctly. At this point I remove the balance from the plate and store it separately until assembly. It is only at the point of assembly that I remove the balance jewels and clean them separately in lighter fuel.

[DJT2]

I clean the balance and hairspring mounted on the main plate. I rinse off the cleaner by submerging the plate in a basin of water at 50 degrees centigrade for about ten seconds, then blow off the excess water with a puffer. The plate is then placed in a container with alcohol and agitated with the puffer for about thirty seconds. I then remove the plate and place the plate onto a folded piece of kitchen roll to absorb the majority of the alcohol and gently use the puffer to blow air on the balance until it starts to swing correctly. At this point I remove the balance from the plate and store it separately until assembly. It is only at the point of assembly that I remove the balance jewels and clean them separately in lighter fuel.

Thanks for the detailed steps Geo, I assumed that would be the way to go, leaving the balance on the mainplate etc.. Just got confused, as Bogdan suggested not to clean the balance in alcohol.

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[Geo]

Do not soak the balance for any great length of time if you will could have a problem with the roller jewel. That's why I say to dip it only for seconds before puffing it dry.

PS I have been doing this for years when cleaning parts in the ultrasonic tank and have never had a problem.