Expert: William J Perkins - 9/3/2008

Question
Dear Friend
I have an old English Mantel clock. I need to clean the
mechanism but I am not sure what to use for it. I have a
small bottle of "extra fine clock oil". I will use the oil
to lubricate, but I am planning to use WD-40 to clean the
parts and dissolve the old oil. Is this OK?
Thank you for your time. Best regards

Answer
While WD-40 is a fine product I cannot envision a worse product to use on a clock.  If you are bent upon cleaning the clock yourself you will have to acquire a clock cleaning solution concentrate.  To do even a half way decent job you need to take the clock apart to clean and repair all parts.  That is the only way you can get at the pivots and pivot holes.  I would suggest you leave such work to an appropriately trained technician.  There are a number of books out there that would help you should you try to go it alone.  I would suggest you seek out, The beginner's handbook, "THE CLOCK REPAIR PRIMER by Phillip E Balcom.  This is hands down the best book of its type I have reviewed.  Mr Balcom presumes you know nothing about the subject and take you step by step through a learning process.  Best of luck, WJP