Grime and film on watch wheels

[chaplin37]

Anyone have any advice on how the remove a film of old grim on watch wheels? With some watches I run it through my cleaning machine and sometimes it just cant get rid of the dull film that is caked on? I use peg wood on the plates but wasn't sure what people use on the wheels.

 

Thanks

[GeorgeClarkson]

I usually ise pegwood bathed in alcohol or lighter fluid. For more delicate work I bath the pegwood in oil and scrub really gently.

Edited January 13, 2017 by GeorgeClarkson

[Vich]

I tend to fiddle away with peg wood and rodico but have on occasion resorted to using a fibre glass scratch brush, it very much depends on the part but if I may have to obtain a replacement part anyway, and there is nothing to lose, scratch brushes can sometimes resolve issues involving rust, oxidisation or old oil that can not be removed with solvents alone. Not to be used on everything, more or less a last resort but just another tool in the box.

Sometimes if it is just discolouration you may have to put up with it. I like Horosolv degreaser and for brass, copper, bronze etc. Priory Polishes Number 1 cleaner is useful for plates and bridges, it brought my Omega Bumper plates up like new, it is however ammoniated so obvious precautions apply.

cheers,

Vic

[david]

I use naphtha (generic name for lighter fluid) in my ultrasonic machine and then slosh the parts in lacquer thinner to remove the oily film left over by the naphtha. As far as I know products such as L&R  cleaning solvent are basically naphtha. 

david

[StuartBaker104]

I tend to soak parts in hairspring degreaser and then use an old childrens toothbrush.

However, deCarle recommends a watch brush, which you can buy here https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/natural-bristle-brushes-handheld

It is no doubt essential, even in this modern era to follow deCarle's advice on cleaning the brush:

I assume that the point here is that the chalk, or burnt mutton bone powder, is mildly abrasive.

If you are after a more upmarket finish, then George Daniels describes the process of polishing wheels using wood polishers charged with rouge. He does point out that the wood becomes quickly charged with brass particles which will scratch the surface, so it is important to keep refreshing the face of the polisher...

 

[Pip]

Righto, I'm off down the butchers...


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