Expert: Martin Meyer - 7/1/2009

Question
Dear Martin,

I hesitate to ask this question, especially after reading your answer to the previous question of non-expert cleaning, using lacquer thinner and acetone: I have a few nice little clocks that are acting up, and I was (ahem) going to get a Mason jar of gasoline then soak the movements a bit, then let them dry, then carefully oil them (with, like the previous questioner, correct "fine oil clock oil" I have purchased.) But maybe this is an insane idea? Thanks for your time.

respectfully,

David

Answer
Hi David,

The only safe use for gasoline is in cars' gas tanks. The danger of gasoline is not that it burns, but that it is extremely volatile, that is, it evaporates very fast, leaving an invisible gaseous cloud in the air, which is highly explosive. In my opinion, it should never be used for cleaning anything.

As I mentioned in my earlier answer, soaking an assembled movement in solvent is not a very effective cleaning method but, if you want to try it, there are solvents available which are a much better choice than gasoline. Lacquer thinner is probably the best hardware-store-available choice. There are other solvents which are thinner, such as ethyl ether, but the problem, again, is that they are too dangerous for home use.

You would get the best results if you used an ultrasonic cleaner, but these are extremely expensive machines made for professional clock repairers. Some clockmakers wind the clock and let it run while it is in the solution, on the theory that the gear motion will help the solvent work into the bearings better. I do not personally know if this works or not. I would recommend using brushes first (inexpensive artist brushes are best) with the solvent to hand-clean the worst of the gummy dirt and dried oil from the bearings, then soak the movements in the solvent. However, be aware that some dirt and grit will remain inside the bearings, and that the soaking in solvent could possibly even aggravate this problem.

After thoroughly drying the movements, oil all bearing points with any good clock oil. For very small movements, you can use the same oil very sparingly on the leaves of the mainspring. On larger movements, you should use mainspring grease, available from clock supply houses. There are a number of other miscellaneous oiling points, but detailing them all is beyond the scope of this forum.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com