Jump to content

Cleaning system?

rossjackson01
 Share

Recommended Posts

rossjackson01 Super WRT Addict

rossjackson01

Posted
Posted

Hello again.

This is a really interesting and engrossing hobby. I'm able to disassemble, assemble and get a watch running. Using a smartphone time checker. Good fun.

However, my cleaning needs advice. At present I use an Ultrasonic machine.

I place the parts in containers and cover them with lighter fluid. I place the container, sealed into the ultrasonic and agitate for 10 minutes. I remove the container and then remove the parts, placing them onto paper to lose some of the liquid. I allow them to dry for 24 hours. I then begin my rebuild.

Does some grease residue remain on the parts? Should I wash the parts again?

I can purchase some IPA. If I use this, is it just a soak, or can I place all in a container as before and use the Ultrasonic machine? I know enough not the put the pallet fork and the balance complete into the IPA.

Hope I've explained myself lucidly and that you can assist me.

Thank you

Ross

  • Like 1
mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted
59 minutes ago, rossjackson01 said:

 

How powerful is your ultrasonic? 10 mins is probably more than enough. I use 5 mins for cleaning, and 3 for rinsing.

Yes, lighter fluid does leave a residue, you should use IPA for rinsing.  When I used IPA I did 3 mins in the ultrasonic, and just 1 min for pallet and balance. Do NOT worry about dissolving old shellac !

After years of using refined Naphtha, IPA, I switched this year to proper cleaners - Elma WF Pro cleaner and Elma Suprol Pro rinse. I got the Elma as you can buy it in 2.5L size, so not too expensive, and it will last me years. (For each watch I use about 40ml of fluid in a glass beaker sat in the ultrasonic. So the total cost of cleaning+rinsing is about £1 per watch)

The WF Pro cleans much better than naphtha, and leaves parts shining. And with the rinse there's no need to worry about dissolving shellac.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Skyfiller Member

Skyfiller

Posted
Posted

Can recommend  L&R UF Watch Cleaner followed by L&R Ultrasonic Watch Rinse in glass jars in an ultrasonic. I usually put everything in apart from the face. clean for 60sec, remove and peg out jewels followed by another 30sec clean. Then 30sec in rinse 1, 30sec in rinse 2 and dried at 45c in a desktop drying oven. For the face I place it in a denture cleaning pot with a little warm water and a Steradent tablet and gently wipe with a cotton bud and dry in the drying oven.

  • Like 2
rossjackson01 Super WRT Addict

rossjackson01

Posted
  • Author
Posted
2 hours ago, mikepilk said:

After years of using refined Naphtha, IPA, I switched this year to proper cleaners - Elma WF Pro cleaner and Elma Suprol Pro rinse. I got the Elma as you can buy it in 2.5L size, so not too expensive, and it will last me years. (For each watch I use about 40ml of fluid in a glass beaker sat in the ultrasonic. So the total cost of cleaning+rinsing is about £1 per watch)

The WF Pro cleans much better than naphtha, and leaves parts shining. And with the rinse there's no need to worry about dissolving shellac.

I have looked in ebay for the WF Pro but to no avail. Found it on CousinsUk site.

Many thanks

Ross

mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, rossjackson01 said:

I have looked in ebay for the WF Pro but to no avail. Found it on CousinsUk site.

Many thanks

Ross

If you are in the UK, I buy it from Cousins. The L&R cleaner/rinse only comes in 3.8L sizes - hence more expensive.

  • Thanks 1
Skyfiller Member

Skyfiller

Posted
Posted
20 hours ago, mikepilk said:

Why do you need 2 rinses? And a drying oven! The rinse evaporates quite quickly. 

To ensure all the cleaning fluid has been removed. The first rinse becomes contaminated with the cleaning solution quite quickly. It's all about dilution. 

I used to use a hand blower to dry but about 3 months ago I had a little accident on the farm and now my right wrist clicks and using the blower constantly hurts quite a bit so I moved over to a fruit drying oven. I find the rinse on say a flat plate does dry quickly but anywhere that it can pool like the inside of the barrel or inside a chain cone can take a very long time without encouragement. 

  • Like 1
mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Skyfiller said:

To ensure all the cleaning fluid has been removed. The first rinse becomes contaminated with the cleaning solution quite quickly. It's all about dilution. 

I used to use a hand blower to dry but about 3 months ago I had a little accident on the farm and now my right wrist clicks and using the blower constantly hurts quite a bit so I moved over to a fruit drying oven. I find the rinse on say a flat plate does dry quickly but anywhere that it can pool like the inside of the barrel or inside a chain cone can take a very long time without encouragement. 

I use a hand blower to remove most of the cleaner from the parts before the rinse. I believe one rinse is adequate. I dispose of the solutions after each watch.

Make sure your oven is not too hot to melt the shellac !

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
  • 2 weeks later...
Skyfiller Member

Skyfiller

Posted
Posted
On 7/6/2022 at 12:13 PM, mikepilk said:

I use a hand blower to remove most of the cleaner from the parts before the rinse. I believe one rinse is adequate. I dispose of the solutions after each watch.

Make sure your oven is not too hot to melt the shellac !

Oven is set at 45 °C. I believe shellac has a melting point of 75 °C

  • Like 1
Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

Posted
Posted
On 7/5/2022 at 4:01 PM, rossjackson01 said:

I have looked in ebay for the WF Pro but to no avail. Found it on CousinsUk site.

Many thanks

Ross

This is what i use ross from cousins only a little bit more expensive than shop bought lighter fluid. Also in an ultrasonic as well as a homemade rotary machine. The tub of ipa for a rinse. Which is much cheaper than elma rinse. Dont let the balance or pallet fork soak in the ipa though, a couple of minutes only. And maybe not at all on a new watch that may have a different adhesive for holding the jewels in place. And btw I'm loving your enthusiasm mate 👍 

16581348028265465839340893258332.jpg

16581348332722487657824628817591.jpg

  • Like 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • JohnR725
      Greetings from Whidbey Island.

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      Islands are interesting places to live depending upon their size and other factors. This is a bigger island and it has a bridge to get there at least on one end. It's also big enough that you don't have to go someplace else to get things typically. It can be a problem if you get a job in Seattle though. Yes I've known of people who commuted from the island to Seattle for a job and I don't quite remember how many hours it took but it took a long time. So basically islands are nice if you don't have to leave very often.
    • VWatchie
      What's your thoughts on this Rolex Sea-Dweller, ref. 16600, calibre 3135 project?

      By VWatchie · Posted

      Thanks @JohnR725! Everything you say makes a lot of sense and is encouraging to read.
    • JohnR725
      What's your thoughts on this Rolex Sea-Dweller, ref. 16600, calibre 3135 project?

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      isn't it nice to have a decent case open or when the case doesn't want to be opened? In the case of a Rolex watch that supposed to pass specific water resistant testing you probably do need to tighten the back down. But they shouldn't be tightened so much that they risk stripping the threads out. Then the other problem that comes up is the gaskets can start to disintegrate and then getting the back off can be quite a challenge unless you have a really good tool and perhaps some penetrating oil to loosen things up. Yes really nice case marking. When I was in school we were taught to mark the cases and  the American watch and clockmakers Institute even had a? So if you joined at one time they would give you an identification number. They were explaining or giving an example of if the watches ever found in you have a unique number they can perhaps figure out the history of the watch or identify the body it's attached to for instance not that that probably comes up that often. So you got a unique number and even made a special metal stamp that you can purchase. It wasn't a super big aggressive stamp but still it left a mark in the back of the case. Then I heard from people at work on Rolex watches they were using a felt pen indelible but later on they decided that was bad because apparently the ink could release  chemicals although it seems like once it's dry that shouldn't be an issue. Then of course today was nice is you can keep computer records sealed have to mark anything at all I personally find it's best to leave no reference behind that you were even there. Especially when you have a beautiful watch that has no markings at all and now it has your scribbling all over it not good typically if there is a typical and watch repair?  a lot of minor repairs you don't need to do a complete servicing. But beyond a certain point you're going to have to take apart a lot of stuff you're going to disrupt the lubrication even if it looks perfect right now and yes you might as well just go ahead the service the whole thing. also in a watch like this where a lot of things seem to be going on the complete service would be better then you'll know exactly where you stand versus dealing with unknown mysteries for prior repair.
    • luiazazrambo
      Greetings from Whidbey Island.

      By luiazazrambo · Posted

      That Island looks pretty good on the pics I found. Must be nice to live there. Welcome! Are there many watchmakers over there?
    • LittleWatchShop
      I need a lifetime supply

      By LittleWatchShop · Posted

      I believe so. I thought about it the last time.
×
×
  • Create New...