Expert: William J Perkins - 5/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello
I have a grandfather clock made in 1776.  Is it safe to dip the movement in kerosene or turpentine?  Thanks

ANSWER: I would not reccomend dipping the movement in either of these solutions.  Tell me what you expect to accomplish and I will provide you with an appropriate suggestion.  Regards WJP

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I expect to give the movement a cursor cleaning.  The clock was running fine until I oiled it.  Following the oiling, it stopped running. I have attempted to clean it, but to no avail.  I have read where turpentine will not damage any components when submerged/dipped.  My thoughts are to provide adequate cleaning by dipping; therefore eliminating the full disassembly of the clock for right now.

Answer
Dipping is simply a no, no.  Doing more harm than good.  In the days before clock repair persons were not available, of necessity our Yankee forebears used to clean and lubricate their clocks by use of the substance called coal oil, later called kerosene.  To lubricate they would dip a feather into the liquid in order to collect a small drop.  They would then use the feather to distribute the oil over the areas needing lubrication.  To clean the clock they would saturate a rag with coal oil, place the saturated rag into a pan then place in the bottom of the clock, close up the clock and let the fumes do their work.  In a few days the rag will turn black from all the dirt the coal oil fumes had extracted from the movement.  They would keep doing this until the rag ceased to accumulate dirt.  This process really works, but it is no substitute for a proper, professional cleaning AND, IT SMELLS LIKE HELL!  Regards WJP