• This topic is empty.
Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #48107
    chaplin37
    Participant

      Is there any alternatives to one dip? can you use something like rubbing alcohol?

      #50841
      Bob Tascione
      Moderator

        Hi Chaplin37,
        Alcohol doesn’t do a very good job of removing grime from hairsprings. Also if cleaning the hairspring while still attached to the balance assembly the alcohol will soften the shellac used to hold the roller jewel in place. For this reason alcohol, when used as a watch rinse should be used as a quick rinse only and pallets and balance should be dried immediately. Some people soak hairsprings in Naptha (Ronson lighter fluid) to clean them. Naptha won’t soften shellac at all. Also soaking dirty hairsprings in regular watch cleaning solution and then rinsing thoroughly works well.
        Remember though that Naptha must always be used with caution as it’s extremely flammable.
        Hope this is helpful Chaplin37,
        Have fun!
        Bob

        #50842
        chaplin37
        Participant

          Thanks Bob for the information. The other question I had is I have been seeing on other sites not to ultrasonic the mainspring, if you decided not to replace the mainspring, how would you go about cleaning it? Thanks again Bob

          #50843
          Bob Tascione
          Moderator

            Hi Chaplin37,
            I’ve come across discussions on this topic too and in theory it does make sense that the ultra sonic may be problematic for older mainsprings that have crystallized a bit. It would be interesting to see the results of a controlled test on this if one has been done. My feeling though is if the spring has deteriorated this much then it would possibly reveal this weakness as a set spring. That’s just my guess though so please don’t take that as fact as I can’t support it with any facts. I would be interested in learning more about this topic too.
            Bob

          Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.