Jump to content

Discolouration

RichardHarris123
 Share

Recommended Posts

KarlvonKoln Distinguished Member

KarlvonKoln

Posted
Posted

I have vague memories of hearing about how someone used naphtha (cigarette lighter fluid) to clean a watch - which was once a rather common practice.  And then, impatient to wait for the cleaner to evaporate, the person lit it on fire.  It would burn off extremely quickly, but I remember it was mentioned that doing this would harm the nickel finish on the movement and (depending how much lighter fluid was left upon the movement) could possibly melt the shellac holding the jewels in place. 
Whether that was the case here, with the above watch, I do not know for sure, but others may comment and confirm later on.  Either way, if you use that kind of stuff as a cleaning agent, setting it aflame while it is still covering the movement is discouraged.

  • Thanks 1
Nucejoe Distinguished Member

Nucejoe

Posted
Posted (edited)

You have showed us a picture before so ask to show one for after,   cleaning that is.

A chance to show Coca Cola in action.

1- disaeemble and drop all part in Coca Cola. 

2- Give it all a 48 hrs saok.

3- You will need some powdered detrgaent, a used tooth brush.

4- Rinse the parts with tal water.

5 -Plenty of pwdered detergent a few drops of water on the part, scrub the part with the brush. The few drops of water is to help the powder as a cleanser.

Give each part a real good scrub, keep scrubing under tap water.

6- Watch how shiny the parts are. take pictures show us before and one of after please, so folks here believe how Good Coke works. 

Thanks in advance.

 

Edited by Nucejoe
  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Waggy Distinguished Member

Waggy

Posted
Posted (edited)

I use naptha to clean my watch components, but have never lit it, I would assume this is very dangerous as it is the same stuff as they put into zippo lighters it is extremely flammable. Naptha evaporates very quickly, so in less time than it would take to make a coffee it will be gone, and no singed eyebrows! 🙂

Naptha will clean, but if you want to brighten you can use IPA (after the naptha) to brighten the parts and make then shine as well as cleaning anything the naptha didn't remove, which is what I do.

As a note of caution, I would be careful using IPA on any jewels that are held in place with shellac as some alcohols can disolve and/or weaken the shellac, but I believe naptha will be OK (as long as you don't light it!) 

Edited by Waggy
Fixed typo
  • Thanks 1
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Alex20271
      Vulcain Cricket (S2315A cal.120)

      By Alex20271 · Posted

      the link does not work
    • mbwatch
      Ad Free WRT

      By mbwatch · Posted

      Thank you @Mark. I only became a Patreon subscriber 5 or 6 months ago, but I draw so much value here. If you come up with future contribution or support opportunities, I will be on board.
    • watchweasol
      Help with Hermle ships clock

      By watchweasol · Posted

      Hi Mike I did a ships clock a long while ago, not a Hermle though and without getting the beast in my hands to refresh my memory I can’t recall the timing.  This doesn’t help I know but will start the grey matter turning.
    • Mark
      Ad Free WRT

      By Mark · Posted

      Of course it will continue Richard.
    • Rixy
      Help with Hermle ships clock

      By Rixy · Posted

      I have stripped and cleaned a Hermle ships clock. It was just oily, no major faults, and I reassembled it, following my photos in reverse order. The time train is fine but the strike train will not play the ships bell strike for half-past. Ships bells play a four hour sequence for the 'watches' and play double 'ding' for the hour and the double dings plus one for the half past (eg half past the second hour is 'ding-ding' 'ding-ding' 'ding'). Sounds complicated but it isn't really. The strike wheel consists of pairs of bumps (for the ding-ding) and no single bumps. There must me some mechanism on the half-past that lifts the strike lever over one of the bumps so only one ding is played. When I get to a half past, it still plays double ding. I have a feeling it is to do with the lever in front of the rack (there is a sprung attachment  on it) and the position of the wheel (to the right) with the two pins that lets that lever fall, but no matter where I place that wheel I cannot get a single ding at half past! Please can someone help with advice on positioning so I can fix this? BTW Happy Easter 🐣 
×
×
  • Create New...