How to clean watch parts - Part 2of3 - Manual cleaning

[@hisstorymn]

Great videos! I find it relaxing to hand clean sometimes. I like the results and find it therapeutic. I am a hobbiest so time is not much of a factor compared to a professional.

[@gregshumate8194]

How do you clean the balance wheel and spring by hand? They seem too delicate.

[@bwhog]

Observations from a new-comer. Gem jar/Mason jar/etc. Canning jars is what he means. Apothecary jars also aren't that expensive and are more along the lines of what he has on the bench. You can find them in packs. The problem is you have to watch for those with rubber/plastic/nylon sealing rings that can be damaged by the cleaners. 2 or 3 oz (50-100ml) jars work well for small parts because it allows you to use small quantities of your cleaning fluid and, thus, keep it economical to change it out often to keep it free of contaminants. You can also keep another small jar with IPA in it as a final quick dunk (not a soak) before drying on paper or in a nice draft of air. As he indicated, getting the loose gunk off before it goes into the cleaning solution is key to cleaning well. (Learned this from working with typewriter parts, as well as what chemicals don't go well with which materials.) Stay away from water based solutions since they can quickly oxidize screw heads, springs, and other steel parts while drying. (Flash rust, its called.) That's part of the reason for the IPA dunk after pulling it out of the rinse. The alcohol draws the water off the parts. Sable hair brushes are standard in the world of oil painting, so they are everywhere and are available in a great variety of sizes and shapes. Quality brushes are not exactly "cheap", since they are made for precise work on canvas, but hardly expensive either if you're just buying a 3 pack and you're not trying to get that certain particular shape.

[@Kevins-Philippine-Retirement]

"Watchmaker fuel" 🤣🤣. I love your sense of humour. I worked with Philips for 13 years with a lot of Dutchmen and I aspire to their dry humour. I have your KZbin channel.

[@slackdaddy1912]

New guy with no experience here, thank you.

[@geirwickstrm9162]

I had my practise movement in my ultrasonic cleaner. So happy I found this before using it on a watch I clean for a friend or one I want to sell.

[@otispotis47]

I have always used pegwood but never tried Pithwood. I will now!

[@emso123]

How do you clean the hairspring this way?

[@michaelowen8055]

Thanks for another great video! I've been using IPA for several years to clean movement parts and it's generally worked well. I find the smell of Benzine and other solvents too strong to use.

[@HenriqueSantos-pe4nk]

Great stuff! Your videos are fantastic because they show and explain the techniques so much wanted for the hobby community! Hats off for mr Kalle!

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Hahahaha, THNX!!

[@LeonardSmith-tw5qe]

Thanks for passing on your knowledge I am so grateful. Thanks again Len Smith

[@Kevins-Philippine-Retirement]

Very elaborate in your description of the various natural woods and their usefulness.

[@Kevins-Philippine-Retirement]

Very gentle and delicate for precious watches, or if you are an amateur and only have simple means. Thank you.

[@rangerstl07]

In the UK I have heard naphtha referred to as "panel wipe".

[@carlosbin9813]

Hi Kalle!! Here in Brazil I use a vintage cleaning machine, with a Bath of ammoniated soap than IPA an finaly Benzine. Except for balance and fork ( shellack) for those I use only Benzine and sometimes I use "percloretileno/tetracloroetileno" for degrease hairsprings (one dip or Bdip isn't easy to find here)... Always the wood stick on pre-bath.... Best regards!!!!

[@walther9161]

I use lighter fluid and IPA and so far so good. Swish around in lighter fluid and use a brush on bad parts then a rinse.

[@gonzalovega159]

Thank you for making these videos! I am going to attempt to service my first vintage watches (cheap from eBay) and these videos are very helpful for people just starting that don’t have much money to spend on the hobby. I find watchmaking an art form and a wonder of engineering. I aspire to be a decent watchmaker one day. ❤

[@100amps]

My watchmaking tip of the day: Make sure you don't confuse your coffee glass with your benzene glass. And if your center wheel smells like hops after you clean it, you have used the wrong IPA. 😎

[@johnedmunds3963]

Excellent information and so encouraging for a novice pointing out that you don’t need expensive cleaning machines…. Thank you 🙏

[@scande28]

Wished to see in more detail how to handclean the balance and jewels :)

[@darrenfessey9544]

Hobbyists, just starting out and a cleaning machine is a lottery win! 🙌This was very useful, thank you 🙏. Currently cleaning with essence of renata then a final dip in IPA. Pith wood now on the shopping list 👍

[@rangerstl07]

Very informative! I am starting my watch maker journey. There are so many great vintage tools in this profession.

[@bobrainy5324]

I am a very new hobbyist. Thank you very much for this information.

[@jtcustomknives]

We have elderberry trees everywhere here in Washington state where I live.

[@rastokolesar6570]

Hi how do you clean the black rusty tarnish of chrome wheels - the crown and winding wheels? Thank you

[@repeat_defender]

Thank you for this! I’m applying to a watchmaking school soon, so I don’t want to buy a bunch of expensive stuff that I’ll be getting from school, anyway, but I’m dying to do some tinkering on my own, so i was curious how to clean parts without the ultrasonic. Time is one thing I have plenty of, so I don’t mind doing each piece individually; it’ll help me remember the part names to get all intimate with each one.

[@hosseinordoubadian5439]

I follow the lighter fluid cleaning (after drying on watch paper) with a dip in IPA. This might be an unnecessary step, but it seems to make the parts sparkle. I also use one dip for pallet fork and balance spring assembly as I have read this doesn't affect the shellac. Any comments regarding these techniques? Thanks again for all your efforts. I always learn something new.

[@repeat_defender]

Thanks for the tips!

[@TheBeurne]

I'm so lost here. Can I use essence of Renata for everything? Do I need to use IPA after that?

[@adnanrasheed2502]

Kalle you are awesome as always.. Giving us a new life of watch making 🌹🌹🌹

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

thank you so much for your support Adnan, so nice to hear!

[@nunyabusiness9056]

Thanks you SO much for this. I just want to get into this to maybe fix up old watches that catch my eye, keep my seikos running and trying to find what i HAVE to spend to get started has been frustrating. For cleaning the general consensus seemed to be i HAVE to use an ultrasound and the chemicals i need are over 100 dollars. It's nice to know i can do it with some lighter fluid and a cheap brush.

[@sorin8461]

Love the channel. Thank you for all the helpful information. I have a quick question that I could not find an answer online: do the screws need to be cleaned as well?

[@joseraulbuarquecosta3994]

Great vídeo, I agree 100%, the manual cleaning job produces perfect results, It's time consuming... but for entusiasts who cares?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

That is so true José!

[@leivurjoensen190]

If i only have lighterfluid and ipa and a selfmade watch cleaning machine. What is the best way to clean balance and pallet fork? Several cleanings with lighterfluid only?

[@garyshirinian]

Great video as usual. Thx for sharing.

[@life-onmars8223]

Just one question, Kalle. After the bezine wash/clean do you follow up with the isopropyl on all watch parts (excluding balance and pallet fork) as a final clean before assembly? Thank you for a great video!

[@scande28]

You said to not clean the banance and palletfork with bensen, ipa och nafta in part one. What should you clean those part with? :) / Simon

[@raknin]

As a newbe your videos are very intresting. When you said not to clean the watch parts in aggresive ulrasonic cleaners, can you be more specific? It is related to thw watts they use.i have small 15watts cleanr does it agressive? What parts of the movement i can clean with it? Hairspring?

[@Guitar7894]

How thorough do we have to be when we disassemble? Like for example do we need to remove the spring and click on the mainspring plate before cleaning? And do we leave all the jewels in during the cleaning process??

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Hard question to answer, depends on your machine and chemicals, but you have to be very thorough. One part malfunctioning can stop the whole movement.

[@kingsford73]

I use a Buck 112 knife for Pegwood and pithwood

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

112 is the Dutch 911, the ambulance is ready, Hahaha. Excellent tool John, only joking ;o)

[@panchoskywalker]

Is that pink paper a special line free paper?

[@stephanelouvet1113]

Nice ! I'm about to start my first watch servicing on my 12y old Seiko 5 sport (7S26B). (Mainly because the dial pins are broken and the dial is moving :/ ) Deep cleaning it or not was a big question as I can't spend hundreds . Thank you I have lots of bamboo sticks from my sushi take away. I keep them and use them to clean bike mechanical parts after shaping ;) Can I also use those as pegwood ? bamboo is harder but not enough to damage metal.

[@tiberiuvincze8288]

Always a pleasure!! nice video!

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

See you tuesday Tiberiu!

[@NotAMachinist1024]

Regarding the mainplate & bridges w/ jewels, would I dip it in lighter fluid as well? Just want to be sure.

[@TheHandarbeit]

What do you think about watch made in USSR? Is it good like a swiis or badly made watch?

[@ThePopeDr]

Pith on it?

[@Cronovian]

Hello! Great video! I just got into watchmaking as a hobby, and I have one question for you. After you have cleaned the parts using benzine, do you need to rinse it off before putting it together again? Thanks!

[@antnew176]

Such a good video - thanks.

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Glad you like it!

[@MobiBR]

Thank you!

[@denismzs]

Great video. I use the purified petrol/benzine in jars and/or little mesh baskets in ultrasonic as 2nd step. For step one I use ammonia based powder in water. Again in little jars or baskets in ultrasonic. Should I delete step one?

[@rubinsteinway]

Excellent. A question about peg wood. I would like to use a fairly sturdy toothpick (not the flat kind), which I grind on sandpaper at the tip. It forms a nice point. Is that any worse than pegwood?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Nothing wrong with that!

[@jbranstetter04]

I would be afraid of potentially embedding some of the sanding paper particles into the wood (even very small amounts that you would not see), which would scar gouge your pivot hole.

[@vaibhavdighe344]

I've heard that the glue that holds palette jewels dissolves in IPA, is that true? and if so, how do we clean them manually?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

That is true, schellack will dissolve, maybe use benzeen instead.

[@vaibhavdighe344]

Great! Thanks. Love your content.

[@mohameda.sattar3020]

Can thinner liquid be used in watch cleaning?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

That is too aggressive for watchmaking in my view.

[@AliReza-do5my]

Great video thanks!!!

[@vascobaptista7574]

Hello, love your videos btw! Is the VEVOR ultrasonic cleaner very agressive? Or it is Ok to clean some parts of the watch in there inside a jar with liquid cleaner? Cheers!

[@DrHowbeit]

Is there a vegan alternative to a sabre hair brush?

[@bobrainy5324]

What is the paper you use for the parts after cleaning? It looks absorbent and I assume lint free. Thank you.

[@johnr1350]

I believe it is just a “sticky note”. I’ve seen others use the same. 3M style from Walmart or Office supply store.

[@tissapathiratna7761]

What is the Frequency of ultrasonic watch parts cleaner ?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Really wouldn’t know, sorry!

[@tissapathiratna7761]

I found it today its between 20 k Hertz & 40 K Hertz, @ that frequency watch Crystal could be cracked, like wine glass shatters when a Soprano sings @ high frequency.!

[@kingsford73]

with the bracelet and case/caseback I use de ionised water in my Ultrasonic cleaner, I noticed tap water leaves white deposits behind when dry.

[@julioramossilva3968]

nothing better than the old scholl the infamous, pretoluem based liquid, adn a bushhh

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Great tip John!

[@kingsford73]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking I live in a hard water area, so the water is high in minerals, and when the washed case / bracelet/ glass becomes dry you can see the minerals left behind with the eye under magnification its even worse, the last thing people want to do is attempt to remove these deposits with a cleaning cloth because they are abrasive and will scratch especially anti reflective coatings on crystals I noticed.

[@azizjanmamedow6629]

Are you planning come to dubai ?

[@ChristopherMorris42]

I am about to start cleaning the pocket watch I have dismantled. I have distilled water, IPA. and some petrol (in shed) What do you suggest for first-stage cleaning? Distilled water plus a drop of washing up liquid, or?... I enjoy your channel and very clear explanations. I am 80 and trying this as a new activity (plus walking). Just moving back to Switzerland (near Geneva) do you have any recommendations as to who I should visit for guidance? Thank you Chris

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Hi Christopher, We never use waterbased cleaning products for movement parts. I would try the IPA but be careful with the shellack on the palletfork an impulse jewel underneath the balancewheel. Kind regards, Kalle

[@MrSloika]

Commercial cleaning fluids intended for professional watch cleaning machines incorporate brighteners that make the plated watch parts shine. I think this is important when servicing a movement that will be placed into a display back watch case, or even a watch with a cut-away dial. Any advice on how to achieve this polishing effect with manual cleaning?

[@repeat_defender]

A comment above recommends a final dip in IPA for the extra shine.

[@poepflater]

I understand what you are saying , if you wash your car with soap instead of car shampoo, it is clean but doesn't shine

[@shenlun]

G'day Kalle, I am just starting in an apprenticeship soon. And I have been given the task of disassembling and reassembling an unitas 6497. So what I got from your current video is the following, it was easy to hear, but the subtitles had to translated from Dutch to English and didn't come across clearly. 1. Clean with peg wood first and pith wood 2. Clean parts in Benzene alcohol and if you have it place jar in a gentle ultrasonic cleaner. 3. Clean with a saber hairbrush (again the subtitles were not useful for this, so I am clarifying) 3. Finial rinse in IPA can the benzene alcohol be replaced by lighter fluid, as that may be easier to get my hands on, or is it called something else like methylated spirits? Kind Regards, ShenLun

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Hi Shenlun, that is all right, well done. All the best with your apprenticeship!

[@SimonPollock1]

Would really like to know the manual method for cleaning the balance

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Just rinse it in nafta or acetone. If you want the pivots to be supported you can mount it on the mainplate and rinse it that way Simon.

[@Super-ew1ty]

Great information

[@jackjax7921]

add on what cleaning fluids to use. Ultrasonic vs L&R cleaning machine jars. The whole process of cleaning watches. Alternatives for cleaning baskets cause they are expensive asf.

[@lskovly]

I always buy watches that are dishwasher safe... Normally i use a toothbruch, some mild handsoap and lunk warm water. But only on my watches that are 200 meter waterproof ore more.

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

That is no problem for the outside Lars. Watchcase, caseback and bracelet, good technique!

[@deedee8568]

Hullo, Is there a subsequent rinse step, when manually cleaning, please?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Not really needed if your cleaning agent (Benzine/Alcohol) is clean and leaves no residu Dee.

[@deedee8568]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking Many thanks ✨✨

[@garethlowe9199]

great information Kalle, I think this will encourage more watch enthusiasts to service their own watches, now knowing they don't need the expensive professional cleaning machines

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Encouragement to start watchmaking is the main reason for this channel Gareth.Thank you so much for your support!

[@jackjax7921]

Yo Kalle what happened to part 3? Was it cancelled?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

We uploaded by mistake the wrong version (with framedrop) where the video stops every 3 seconds. This is the good version.

[@Andreas0705]

Do you still take in students from abroad? I am currently in the Danish watchmaker school with about a year left.

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Sure Andreas, we have quite often international apprentices. We'll keep in touch.

[@Andreas0705]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking Sounds interesting! We will 👍

[@bondys123]

I was reading practical watch repairs by Donald de Carl he used amonia water and soap what is your view on that mixture.

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

That text was first publicized in the Horological Journal between 1943 and 1945. Those views are a bit dated in my view, but good question!

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

The lubricants we are using today are quite different than the ones used from the '40s until at least the late 1970s, so the solvents are different as well.

[@jackjax7921]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking when is part 3 of cleaning watch movements?😂

[@bondys123]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking still on the subject cleaning you mentioned isopropanol and acitone as an alternative to one dip I have just recently service a landeron 51 best thing for hairspring cleaning BIG BIG THANKS I'm going to use it all the time.and it's a lot cheaper.

[@ronnylenaers4531]

Hallo kalle, ik vond jou fantatische filmpjes pas onlangs maar hartelijk dank voor je geweldig verstaanbare uitleg. Kuis je de juwels na het 'peggen' in the main plate ook nog na met vloeistof? Ben maar beginnend hobbiest hoor maar enorm gefascineerd door uurwerken.

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Hi Ronny, het is goed om even na te spoelen in wasbenzine of alcohol. Groet! Kalle

[@ronnylenaers4531]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking maar naspoelen na het kuisen met wasbenzine van de andre onderdelen alvorens te gaan olien is niet nodig?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Na het peggen is het goed om de platine nog even na te spoelen in wasbenzine of alcohol. Normaal gesproken is dat voldoende.

[@ronnylenaers4531]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking nog een allerlaatste vraag hoe doe je een volledige balans?

[@snekker9480]

Waar heb je dat potje gekocht?

[@kurtkurt3626]

Doesn‘t IPA desolve the shellac of the levers jewels?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Yes it does Kurt, it is mentioned in part 1. Thnx for your comment!

[@luisnouel3407]

Would you know the Dutch word for pegwood and pithwood?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Penhout en vlierpit Luis.

[@colinwillis7110]

How can i determine what is a suitable ultrasonic cleaning machine. What is aggressive and what is not aggressive.

[@DanI-th1hg]

Hi Colin, my personal advice, I am using a small commercial jewelry ultrasonic type cleaner, 0.6 liter capacity and I believe 50W power. Also I use several small good quality (stainless steel wire mesh) tea strainers to keep the parts organized during cleaning process. My cleaner stops automatically after 3 mins but I use it for 2-3 cycles. After that, remove the mesh strainers, then the dry the parts. As the ultrasonic machine will operate, the cleaner fluid will warm-up. Be cautious that the vapors of the cleaning fluid are toxic (carcinogen) and the fluid itself is extremely flammable! Use good of ventilation in the room and have something available on hand to put out the fire in case something happens and catch fire. It never happened to be but is a good practice to be careful. After you are completed with the cleaning job, do not leave the solution in the ultrasonic cleaner as it will evaporate and as mentioned is toxic and flammable, use a stainless steel funnel with a watchmaker tissue to drain the solution back into the sealed container. You can use it 2-3 times at least. I hope it helps, Best regards, Dan

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Thank you so much for your input Dan!

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

I think Dan gave a comprehensive answer. The aluminium foil test is in the video "Ultrasonic cleaners" on this channel Colin.

[@colinwillis7110]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking Thankyou for the replies Dan and Kalle. I have watched your video on Ultrasonic cleaners I have watched nearly all of your videos and have learned a lot and find them interesting. I will try the foil test. Thanks again and Dan.

[@DanI-th1hg]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking Thank you Kalle for everything yo do on this channel, sharing your knowledge and experience with us is invaluable.

[@romeoj387]

Is thinner safe to use? (Eq.Paint thinner)

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Thinner or white spirit is too agressive and can leave a light residue when it evaporates. I wouldn't use it if I was you. Thank you for your question Romeo!

[@dejanf5902]

Best cleaning and degreasing fluid is trichloroethylene.

[@johnvaluk1401]

Hello Kalle. Hello everyone

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

;o)

[@anandine10]

Hello, any advise for plastic wheels found in Quartz watch ?

[@carlosbin9813]

I think IPA Works great!

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

The Benzine and IPA are non aggressive so safe for plastic wheels as far as I know.

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Cool, thank you for your input Carlos!

[@anandine10]

Thanks for your kind answers.

[@jmarquardt28]

Hello again Kalle. I apologize if I am stating the obvious for you and all the followers. In addition to the comment I posted in episode 1 of this series, about benzene being a carcinogen, I think it's important to mention the following that comes from the CDC here in the US: Benzene is highly flammable. The agent will be easily ignited by heat, sparks, or flames. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive, and/or toxic gases. Benzene reacts violently with oxidants and halogens, causing a fire hazard.

[@ricksmits9707]

Please note that Benzene and "wasbenzine" are 2 different things. "Wasbenzine" is a mix of stuff like pentane, heptane, hexane with 5 until 15 carbon atoms. Benzene is a hexagonal structure and is pure. Of course there are health risks with 'wasbenzine' but they are significantly less than when you would use benzene😊

[@ruadhagainagaidheal9398]

10:35 “We just push it in and move it around a bit” That does sound a bit like the Google definition of Pegging.

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

LOL Hahahahaha

[@ben10san87]

is it okay to use WD40?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Never for lubrication Ben! The only time I use it is for dissolving rust on watch parts.

[@ben10san87]

So I can still use it for dissolving rust. I bought an old watch like this and its rusty. after dissolving it , can I wash the parts with water and soap?

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

You can rinse it very gently with water and soap leave the parts to dry thoroughly. After that maybe rinse again with ISO alcohol or benzine (nafta/lighter fluid). Good Luck!

[@ben10san87]

Thank you for this.

[@kuyapipslago8657]

Im just using toothpick wood, and sharpening the tip like a nidle 🤣😂😂😅😅

[@PerryMerca]

Hi Kalle, I just received my first bundle of pegwood. I sharpened it and tried pegging out the jewels on an old pocket watch. This is the first watch I am ever working on, as I just picked up this hobby. I noticed while pegging under the microscope that the pegwood is leaving a whole lot of shedded wood pieces behind! The jewel is filled with wood now. I thought pegwood doesn't flake so much, which is why we use pegwood for pegging. What am I doing wrong? Thanks!

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

It sounds like the peg wood is either of low quality or you are releasing old dried up oil which seems light as wood. It will probably (hopefully) rinse away during cleaning. Good luck!

[@PerryMerca]

@@ChronoglideWatchmaking Hi Kalle! Dankjewel voor je antwoord! Could it also be that the point on my peg wood was not thin enough? Should the point be small enough to fit exactly into the pivot holes / jewel holes?

[@kingsford73]

Hello Kalle hello everyone

[@ChronoglideWatchmaking]

Always so nice to hear from you!

[@laryhall1442]

Is that coffee or a black russian?

[@Al-po2oh]

So is the IPA the final rinse?

[@hatbpto5180]

Oh hell I went and googled pegging 😮

[@kenmalm6859]

Lower the volume of the intro music. My neighbors are waking up.

[@Chris_the_Muso]

I told my wife I was learning about pegging, and now she's gone to stay with her mother.

[@weerobot]

I Use Zippo Petrol ...Cheap Chinese Movements Just a Hobby

[@stevecuthbert8856]

We don't have sabre tooth tigers so where do I get a brush made of that?

[@Tuzia-767]

Thank you!❤

[@Guitar7894]

How thorough do we have to be when we disassemble? Like for example do we need to remove the spring and click on the mainspring plate before cleaning? And do we leave all the jewels in during the cleaning process??

[@kermitaner]

i would definitely leave the jewels in the plate. remove the mainspring only, if its old and u have the right tool ( mainspring winder ) to put it back in the barrel again.