How to Clean Watch Parts with IPA

Рет қаралды 22,175

Жыл бұрын

In this video, I'll show you how to safely clean watch parts using IPA (isopropyl alcohol). IPA is a great way to clean watch parts without damaging them if you know its limitations.
If you're looking to clean your watch parts safely and efficiently, then watch this video! By following my instructions, you'll be able to clean your watch parts without any damage done.
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All THE TOOLS & SUPPLIES I USE: watchrepairtutorials.com/tool...
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Supplies used in this Video
► 99% IPA Alcohol watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon) (Amazon)
► Diamond Cleaning Jar watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
► Nail Tee's watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
My Microscope Setup
► Amscope SM-3T watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... Amazon)
► Barlow Lens watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
► LCD Ring Lite watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
► Hayear Microscope Camera watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
► Camera Adapter watchrepairtutorials.com/get/... (Amazon)
** TOOLS & SUPPLIES I USE **
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Пікірлер: 215

@IT_Farhan 9 ай бұрын

What a fantastic scientific test to put the question to rest!

@watchrepairtutorials 9 ай бұрын

That was my goal for sure. Some people say never use it some people say it’s OK so now you have it.

@williambarker263 Жыл бұрын

Yet another great video containing info and advice not found elsewhere ! Thanks Alex !

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

It’s always nice to see you, William.

@kyproset Жыл бұрын

What a beautiful lesson, thank you, Alex.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thank you my friend

@MG-mb6mj Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Great video, great content in depth analysis, great value for amateur watchmakers and tinkerers.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Well MG thank you. These videos are really meant for newcomers to the hobby, so I appreciate your thoughts.

@U_Colfett87 5 ай бұрын

you are the best on YT for the watchs, thank you very much!

@watchrepairtutorials 5 ай бұрын

Wow, thanks!

@antonisvorloou6474 Жыл бұрын

Excellent stuff, your channel is my current primary source for watchmaking information!

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Wow, that’s quite a compliment so thank you very much. I’m glad you’re getting some value out of the work I’m doing.

@stuarthopwood7778 Жыл бұрын

Great video with hands on testing 👏 Thank you

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Hey Stuart, how are you today? As always I appreciate you stopping by to let me know.😀

@crashandburngaming5103 Жыл бұрын

Just starting my watch repair hobby. Thank you for these videos. They are a huge help. Cheers

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Glad to help Crash.

@TheBbturbo Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing such important tips.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

I appreciate you being here. See you soon

@normanrehme3836 Жыл бұрын

Loved this video and your approach to determining optimal procedures. Great work!

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Norman. I appreciate the feedback on the subject that a lot of people just don’t care about.

@normanrehme3836 Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials I think we should care. Your conclusions caused me to do my own test. I have an old CE Marshal MicroSonic ultrasonic watch cleaning machine. I've never seen another like it anywhere. The power appears to be stepped way down. However, after a five minute clean cycle and five minute LR rinse cycle and spin dry with heat, shellac was definitely removed but the pallet jewels held strong. I suspect in a new full power machine the shellac would be gone. It has caused me to not clean forks in my machine. Thanks for the encouragement to consider these factors because I think I had to cement a pallet jewel because of it.

@wonko6x9 Жыл бұрын

This is asking the exact questions I have. Thanks!

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help. Hope to see you again

@walther9161 Жыл бұрын

Another awesome bit of info and thanks for posting!

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thank you my friend

@Emilmarch Жыл бұрын

Great knowledge and presentation. Thank you, greatly appreciated.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Hello Martell. Thank you my friend.

@philedwards2213 Жыл бұрын

It has been a well asked question with mixed answers. At last we get the correct answer and the proof to back it up. Thanks again Alex for a another brilliant video. Really finding the series so helpful. Looking forward to the ultrasonic cleaning video.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Another subject with varying degrees of opinion so we’ll see how it comes out

@L7A1B93 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Alex. Another great video.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thanks as always Olof.

@TheBeardedWatchmaker Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the empirical testing you've done Alex. Lots of online arguing about this and I'm glad you've managed to finally put this to rest

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

It’s funny you say that because this just came up in a forum. What a professional watchmaker does in a fully equipped shop is not the same as what a home watchmaker should do. You can’t compare part quality between a Rolex and a freaking 50 year old low grade watch. A Watchmaker working in a service center or any other high-end shop is using a 10k machine with not only has access to parts but the equipment to fix a problem should it occur. This is a case where was good for the goose is not good for the gander . Damn I’m getting old.

@paulschumacker9901 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this great tutorial. Based on your video on cleaning watch parts, I’ve been adding IPA and a hexane rinse steps to the ultrasonic cleaning protocol I use. The IPA is excellent for removing some gunk that the L&R ultrasonic cleaner and naphtha rinse steps leave behind. But I was always afraid to include the pallet fork and balance wheel in the IPA step. This video shows us exactly what these parts can take, and what they can’t. Thank you, Alex!

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Hey aPaul. I think the video on Ultrasonic cleaning I’m working on now will be eye opening.

@clm_watchmaking Жыл бұрын

You just changed the way I clean watch parts, thank you very much for the information, and my watches thank you as well.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thanks for stopping by Chris, I hope to see you around here again we got lots more coming

@clm_watchmaking Жыл бұрын

I’m in for the long haul sir.

@WatchWithMike Жыл бұрын

YESSS!!! Excellent! This was exactly the information I was looking for… I just put out a video and received cautionary comments since I used IPA as my final rinse. I wasn’t sure where to turn for an absolute answer, and then you dropped this video. Bam! Great job and thank you! 👏🏼

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Yea man. Thanks Mike

@tomholloway7566 Жыл бұрын

Thanks again Alex, very interesting as always

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Tom

@HudsonPeter Жыл бұрын

Great video as always. I love the "scientific method" style of testing with lots of controls on the procedure. Also, as it happened, pallet fork + ultrasonic cleaner was the first mistake I made on my first movement I was servicing, the pallet stone came right out when I went to grease the pallet fork. And as you said, when my replacement pallet fork arrived, it didn't work because the tolerances were off. Great Video!

@danieljimenez5887 Жыл бұрын

Been there done that! 🤣

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

My goal in these types of videos is to hopefully prevent exactly what happens to you. There are many times when a pallet fork will be fine in an ultrasonic, but why take the chance on a vintage one. It’s not like guys working at home have some sort of quota to met.

@watchesgoon Жыл бұрын

Awesome!!! Thanks for the detailed explanations.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

I hope it helps in some small way. Good to see you.

@raymction947 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the very important info. I have never cleaned these delicate parts out of fear. Armed with this knowlege, I am confident I can now safely clean it.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Perfect. That’s what you really need to do. After losing some stone early on, I started hand cleaning the pallet and balance and have not ever had anymore issues.

@WristwatchMedic1953 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Great information. I was wondering about IPAs reaction on parts. Informative video

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thanks Darryll

@bartvrinten1 Жыл бұрын

Best tip ever ,thanks!!

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thanks brother. I hope you can use it.

@johnvaluk1401 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video Alex. Great information. I’m not one to do Patreon but am seriously considering it with your channel.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Well I understand it’s not for everyone and that’s cool. They will be more advanced topics depending on where you are at.

@jwoodyr1 Жыл бұрын

A very interesting video. Thanks for sharing!!

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thanks my friend. See you again

@JonTheComputerDoctor Жыл бұрын

Great video thank you.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jon. Know you know.

@RalfyCustoms Жыл бұрын

Thanks Alex, very helpful indeed buddy, I was a little confused over the use of Ipa as a rinse agent, and have treated the pallet fork like its made of cobwebs lol, a quick bath in Hexane then a blow dry

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Yea I use it to final rinse all the parts except for the shellacked ones. Thanks brother.

@timsawyer9231 8 ай бұрын

Thank you, sir!

@watchrepairtutorials 8 ай бұрын

Very welcome!

@pipodorologio1648 Жыл бұрын

great video with clear answers.....thanks for sharing

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

This is the lead up video to my next one on Ultrasonic machines

@pipodorologio1648 Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials cheers mate, highly appreciated

@artemt4314 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for your videos, helps allot! That's should be the lesson number one for beginners, i skipped mistake cleaning with IPA intuitively, only because have some skills in vintage furniture restoration and know some about shellac.

@watchrepairtutorials 7 ай бұрын

My pleasure. I wanted to make this video because people have heard never use it and some people have heard it’s OK do use it. I wanted to demonstrate how much exposure was OK and how much was too much before damage occurs.

@Alm64A Жыл бұрын

What a shame not to have discovered your channel before, I followed the wrong instructions of another channel and my pallet fork is already history, I managed to glue the piece but I broke the pivot when doing it and now I can't find the spare part. I started a few months ago with this hobby that is exciting and I thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with the newbies, they are very helpful to continue excited, learn and advance little by little. Greetings from Spain

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thank you my Antonio. Love to hear from my friends in Spain

@grahamcohen3850 Жыл бұрын

Great info here Alex. Always such a p[leasure to watch your videos. I learn so much every time my friend.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Hello Graham, good to see you again my friend. Thank you as always.

@stevefeeney6156 Жыл бұрын

Awesome info. Thanks. I’m just about to clean a vintage Illinois pocket watch. Dodged a bullet there😅. Thank you Alex.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Steve, sometimes timing is everything.

@BradP43 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this! I'm new to this, and I'm preparing for my first complete service, and the balance and pallet fork were my biggest concern for the cleaning portion. I feel a lot better now. Separate, manual cleaning it is.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Brad, there are varying opinions on how to approach cleaning watch parts this is just how I do it based on my experiences working on vintage parts. Newer parts, say 5 to 10 years old would not be as susceptible to these type of issues as our parts that are 30 to 40 years or older

@BradP43 Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Thanks! I'll still lean towards caution, especially given that I'm using an ultrasonic cleaner. Great videos! You're helping a lot of newbies like myself.

@amandagelien9612 Жыл бұрын

Never had a problem but I am stopping cleaning excapement in the machine and cleaning them separately better safe than sorry!🤪THANK YOU

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Hopefully you never will.👍

@devia1988 Жыл бұрын

I have been waiting for this kind of test for so so long...everyone talking IPA but I messed a palet fork up in the ultrasonic in just cleaning. Since then I only dip 1 min in IPA which you kindly confirmed is the right way. Thanks!!

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

I read a lot of things online on forums and it’s hard to separate fact from fiction sometimes. So videos like this I really meant to give the subject closure and take the guesswork out of decision-making.

@rossjackson3670 Жыл бұрын

Alex. Thank you. I usually wash all items in a lighter fluid solution by ultrasonic, then remove the pallet fork and Balance and rinse all again in IPA using the ultrasonic. In future I will just do a small immersion of 1 minute in IPA for the balance and pallet fork. All other items I can continue as before. Better to be safe than sorry. Good information. Thank you. I understood all you have said. Good aren't you.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Sounds good Ross

@watchrepairtutorials 11 ай бұрын

✨✨ Get Your Copy of my eBook, The Secrets for Adjusting Watch Rates ✨✨ ➡➡PDF DOWNLOAD watchrepairtutorials.com/ebook/ ⬅⬅ ➡➡Available on Kindle & Soft Cover @ geni.us/4x8C (Amazon) ✨✨Watchmaking Courses and Training ✨✨ ➡➡ watchrepairtutorials.com/watchmaker-course/ ⬅⬅

@kswaminathan5439 Жыл бұрын

Sir, I am really amazed at the intricate knowledge you have on watch repairing. Can we use white petrol to clean the watch movement, including the pallet and balance assembly? Please guide me. Thank you.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

I am not familiar with white petro. It seems to be the equivalent to US kerosene. I don’t know of anyone who uses kerosene to clean watch parts.

@derekjamescox 7 ай бұрын

Brilliant videos with sound advice based on empirical data from practical experimentation - it doesn’t get any better than this, thanks so much Alex? I have been trying to find a similar definitive answer on the use of acetone, I like that it is so volatile and quick drying with no residue. I know it dissolves some plastics but wasn’t sure if it was suitable for a quick, 10 second rinse on shellac parts. Does anyone know for sure about acetone?

@watchrepairtutorials 7 ай бұрын

Many thanks! - Alex

@NaNByZero 16 күн бұрын

Great and very useful video. Thank you! 🕐⚙️🍸

@watchrepairtutorials 16 күн бұрын

People have so many opinions about the use of IPA. I thought a demonstration might be in order.

@NaNByZero 16 күн бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Very good idea. I am just starting as a hobbyist. Fortunately I am working on an EB 8800 which has no pallet jewels. Unfortunately the mix of brass and steel caused a lot of rust in the ultrasonic cleaner. I got it removed but that was a long process. So… ultrasonic is good for some cleaning but not for everything. I have just started the learning process. :) Videos like yours are so helpful.

@watchrepairtutorials 15 күн бұрын

@@NaNByZero First, there is no question that using profession grade cleaners is far superior and safer than water based cleaning systems. But professional grade cleaners are designed to be used in spinning basket machines or ultrasonic machines that are explosion proof and have ventilation. This is not possible for 99.9 % of home watchmakers who turn towards home ultrasonic machines which are designed for using detergent based cleaners. When using water based cleaning methods you have to be very diligent in your methodology. Using cleaners that are not too alkaline, that are cut or reduced at the proper ratio, the correct temperature, the correct cycle time, not having the small part baskets cramped with parts and proper drying are all individually important for good results. Discoloration of parts can also be an issue if these steps are not followed.

@NaNByZero 15 күн бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Yes. I am just at the beginning of the learning process. Thank you so much. I think I will get me professional cleaning fluids and try your method with the self made spinning basket. :)

@anotheryoutuber_ 3 ай бұрын

thanks and glad i watched this before dunking my watch in an ultrasonic with ipa. could you at some point do a video on the problems with over lubrication? also how do you feel about triflow?

@watchrepairtutorials 3 ай бұрын

Well, I don’t know if it wanted to, but over lubrication not only will create lower amplitude and eventually it will spread throughout the movement causing more problems. Tri flow spray for watches. I wouldn’t do it.

@anotheryoutuber_ 3 ай бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials thanks for the reply, i might just take it in to somebody. it says evaco sa on the case and movement. i dont know how universal parts are and its just not running well right now and i think it when something comes into ownership its nice to maintain them. thanks again

@Mars-zgblbl Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Alex! Perfect timing. I recently cleaned a cheap used Cardinal watch using IPA and forgot to avoid putting the pallet fork in the IPA. I’m guessing it was in there for about 2-3 minutes. It sat untouched for a week and then, when reassembling, the fork didn’t want to move to accept the balance. Checked and found a pallet stone had moved about 45°.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Oh no. Well now you know what not to do. 😃

@Mars-zgblbl Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials thanks for the reply. The used, non runner Cardinal cost $25 at a flea market. The lesson was worth the cost. Might try my hand at resetting the stones. If the fork is against the banking pin, then the stone should be at the bottom of the escape wheel tooth, correct?

@alexhamilton9566 Жыл бұрын

@@Mars-zgblbl when the fork is against the banking pin, the escape wheel is in full lock on the locking surface of the pallet stone. On a 18000 beat watch, full lock equals 1/3 of the length of the impulse surface of the pallet stone.

@Mars-zgblbl Жыл бұрын

@@alexhamilton9566 got it, thanks!

@awdturbopowah773 Жыл бұрын

Wow, what a great experiment! It was really interesting to see the results, and now I don't have to be afraid of giving the pallet fork a quick wipe with IPA. If you're using hexane as a cleaning solvent, it's safe for parts with shellac correct?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Yes it is. I typically soak the pallet, forks and balance assembly for at least 20 minutes sometime is longer with no ill affects.

@mikbastani Жыл бұрын

Hello master watchmaker Please teach how to replace a broken pallet fork pivot. especially very thin or short pivots such as Omega 565 or Omega 1010 or shorter, thinner and more delicate. Thank you for all the very professional and excellent videos

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Do you have a staking set

@mikbastani Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorialsI have a stacking set, but my smallest rivet hole for the pivot fork palette is too wide. So I have to replace the pallet fork axis with a very tight pin vise. Please make a video for this article

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

@@mikbastani honestly, I don’t think it’s possible. Good luck. Let me know how it turns out.

@ljubavnifeder Жыл бұрын

Just what we all needed. So my question is can you use anything more then IPA. Benzen/Nafta?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Like what solvent and and for what purpose?

@cesargrimm Жыл бұрын

Dear alex, could you make a guide on using an ultrasonic for cleaning watch parts?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

I am making the video right now, I hope to have it out by the weekend

@danieljimenez5887 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video! Does this also apply to complete balances? Light cleaning with IPA acceptable? Or Naptha?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Well the hairspring is always an issue. I soak my pallet fork and balance in hexane. Pretty much for as long as I want. Excellent at removing oils. One issue is going to the purity level of napatha for residue left behind. If you soaked in napatha, a couple quick dunks into IPA and then drying with a blower would work fine.

@RadioWhisperer Жыл бұрын

Awesome info as always Alex, thank you so much! Any thoughts about those bronze screwdriver tips? I picked up several but haven't had time to really test them

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Oh wow, actually yes. So my experience has been that when you run into tight screws they break at the tip. I would think there is a use, but I’m not sure what I want to use them for.

@RadioWhisperer Жыл бұрын

@It's About Time Would they be good for reassembly maybe?

@frankpeutz9106 Жыл бұрын

Hi Alex, first let me say you are a great watch teacher! I do like your no nonsense, no drama, approach.👏 I have a question though: so cleaning the pallet fork is best done with naphtha (lighter fluid) and does it need to be rinsed with clean naphtha or something else? Also the same for the balance wheel/bridge? This since I understood there is also shellac used .... The other watch parts I do clean with naphtha (carefully with a brush, since i'm just a hobbyist) and rinse them in IPA. Hope to hear from you and hope many insight videos to come! THX, Frank (The Netherlands)👍

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

The best cleaner for them would be, hexane or one dip, then naphtha. One issue with Naphtha on hairspring could be impurities from the cleaner might leave a residue behind causing sticking. There are so many different quality levels of naphtha around the world, so If that's not happening, you should be good. Thanks Frank

@ScottMcCormick12358 Жыл бұрын

I use a jar of naphtha reserved for only cleaning hairsprings. It leaves no residue. Residue can make the coils stick to each other, looking under the microscope as if the coils are magnetized. As well as ruining the performance of the hairspring.

@horstb29 10 ай бұрын

Great information as always. Thank you Alex!

@watchrepairtutorials 10 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

@RalfyCustoms Жыл бұрын

Alex, how about the impulse jewel? Is the balance assemble as vulnerable because of it? I always see watchmakers refitting them to the main plate, and putting it all in the cleaning machine?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

First off, you never see it when they f*** up. Shellacked jewels can fail in both ultrasonic as well at basket machines. It all depends on the condition of the shellac because the older the part, the more brittle it becomes. Newer parts are almost never a problem so what you have to determine is what your comfort level is. For me, the small amount of time it takes to clean those parts by hand is worth not having to even worrying about messing them up. Pallet forks and balance assemblies, to two hardest and most expensive parts to source.

@RalfyCustoms Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Bang on Alex, thanks brother, that's exactly what I figured, old Shellac is old Shellac, no two ways about it, and as a novice when it comes to working on watches, taking extra time and care is where I'm coming

@usversusthem_band Жыл бұрын

Great vid! My 7 jewel quartz swiss v8 movement watch is running slow, I read it would be ok to dip it in 99% IPA to get the gears cleaned up...any thoughts? I also read lighter fluid.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Quartz watches don’t typically run slow when they’re dirty, they typically run out the battery and stop altogether. Maybe look up the caliber number to see if it could just be replaced if you’re having a problem

@usversusthem_band Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Thanks for the reply friend, I went with your advice, actually did find the movement from a high rated source so will just replace it.

@MrJosiahCochran Жыл бұрын

Is the pallet fork the only part that can’t go in the cleaning solutions? Is there a cleaning solution for the pallet for? Do they use the same shellac for the jewels?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

So just to be clear, a lot of people clean their pallets and balance wheels in their cleaning solution. I do not because I have seen to many vintage parts not make it through safely. The best choice for any shellacked parts are OneDIp or Hexane in my opinion. Yes the shellacked parts use the same shellac.

@ScottMcCormick12358 Жыл бұрын

I’ve been running my pallet forks through two 2-minute ultrasonic rinse cycles. I’m using the same L&R rinse in your video. Since watching your video, I have been checking the palette stones following your method. After doing about six watches, none of the pallet stones have loosened. Perhaps my ultrasonic machine is less vigorous. It is a low end model. But it seems to clean parts effectively. Thanks for your videos! I find them extremely helpful.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Hey Scott, I would think that many Pallet Forks would make it through an ultrasonic machine fine. Until you run across the ones that don’t.

@ScottMcCormick12358 8 ай бұрын

I no longer put pallet forks through ultrasonic. Thanks much! @@watchrepairtutorials

@Asijantuntia 10 ай бұрын

Are there any other parts besides pallet forks that should typically be cleaned more carefully like this?

@watchrepairtutorials 10 ай бұрын

The balance wheel. The safety roller has a shellacked impulse jewel.

@So.Stephen Жыл бұрын

Nice one. Heading over to the patreon page now.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

We’ll see you there, my friend. Thank you.

@Silviu. Жыл бұрын

Great video! You think that is a mistake to use a very cheap oil (still sold as a "watch oil") for cheaper movements to gain experience? I use my own watches and I plan to re-clean and lubricate the watches that run good even with the first service with cheap oil after I afford more professional grade stuff and have more experience. And also, I used the oil for the pallet stones also, and all pivots except the pallet fork pivots. I want to clean them again in 1-2 years max. You think that is a bad ideea?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

I think it’s totally fine to use something like 8000 as a lubricant while you’re learning and often recommend it. As long as you understand that they are not going to last as long or give the performance over the long term. Once you are confident in your lubrication abilities, then you can step up to the proper lubrication. The one place that it will really hurt amplitude of course is on the pallet stones which really requires 9415 for peak amplitude.

@evelcustom9864 Жыл бұрын

I have generally used naphtha for my parts cleaning. Would you recommend switching to IPA all together or just using the IPA for the final rinse portion. I have also heard some people on WUS talking about adding a tiny drop of olive oil into their rinse solution. Is there any merit in that?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

The naphtha is fine for cleaning the parts, but certain brands can have some unwanted additives. I would use the IPA for final rinsing. Olive Oil in the rinse? Sounds counterproductive when the point of washing the parts is to remove oil. The goal after cleaning and rinsing is that all the parts come out clean and free of any chemical residue

@joelcarvajal 6 ай бұрын

Hi! Is n-hexane different from hexane? Can I use n-hexane instead for cleaning the palette and balance assembly?

@watchrepairtutorials 6 ай бұрын

Yes both are interchangeable for our purposes.

@GDLOTKIDOG Жыл бұрын

You are dope as f$&k! Dude! I love how you teach! I learn so much stuff from you. So can I put my balance complete in one dip for a moment? I haven’t finished watching this video yet. Thank you Brother.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Yes you can. And yes, Life IS good 👍

@dekim4866 Жыл бұрын

I wish I could press 100+likes on the video. Really, thank you. I've finally get a feel how to clean my watches. Don't worry, I will test my first cleaning experience with old pocket watches. Even it spoils, no damage for me, just some lessons for me would left. Anyway, I decided to order 60W ultrasonic cleaning machine, because there was no options to 'adjusting' wattage of the machine for the 120W one. Thanks for your advice. I do really appreciate it.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Glad it helped my friend

@dekim4866 Жыл бұрын

Hi Rick, I came here for another short question.. you told me that IPA is good at rinsing water and sort of degreasing, and I am thinking of trying IPA on watch dial cleaning. How do you think? Will it work? I'm afraid if it also erases dial printing either.. I've saw a video that cleaning watch dial while soaking in some kind of liquid. Will it make problems on vintage watches? By the way I have watching your other videos as well these days. Super useful and extremely helpful.. Thank you so much.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

NO No No don't do that. Only Q-tips lightly dampened with deionized water or distilled water . Some old Porcelain Dials can be cleaned in Water with polydent but that's it. My advice would be if you don't like the patina on vintage dials, just don't buy them. Seriously, there is very little you can do to improve the condition of a watch dial

@dekim4866 Жыл бұрын

I see, thank you. Q tips with distilled water, that makes sense.

@dekim4866 Жыл бұрын

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z5qJd6uBuN7ad2g.html It must be not IPA or cleaning solution, just distilled water, right?

@hectorgarcia8691 Жыл бұрын

What’s your opinion on using Ronson lighter fluid as a parts cleaning agent ?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Lighter fluid and naphtha are basically the same thing. It is effective for cleaning watch parts but obviously you have to be careful because of the flammability.

@hectorgarcia8691 Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials thank you, I know several watchmen that still use lighter fluid for their watch cleaning all still done by hand with several types of brushes and toothpicks you don’t want to know the lubricant they use, but they run on “time” for years, I have a few that are 20 yrs since cleaning and lubrication and they’re still running fine. Thanks again for that magnificent treatise on cleaning that shows that you don’t really need fancy cleaners or 1000s of dollars in equipment, and that knowledge goes allot further than $$

@ryanrees8814 2 ай бұрын

Do you have any opinions of using L & R #566 ultra sonic cleaning solution? I would think not putting the balance and pallet fork in the ultra sonic is still a good move. I'm curious if the cleaning solution breaks anything down though.

@watchrepairtutorials 2 ай бұрын

IMO detergent based cleaners are more appropriate for ultrasonic machines. One of its big benefits is the heating capability. If you read the msds sheet, the first thing it says is, warning flammable liquid and vapor. So then why does it say for ultrasonic. That’s because professional US machines capture vapor and are explosion proof. P

@ryanrees8814 2 ай бұрын

That's a good point, so probably not the best idea to use a small at home ultra sonic cleaner.

@seangerst6561 Жыл бұрын

Alex Hamilton. Realy nice Video and cool name. Because of the Hamilton watch company.😅👍🏼

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

It also happens to be my favorite pocket watch company. Thanks man

@seangerst6561 Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Love it too 👍🏼 especialy the old Railroad Pocket watches.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

@@seangerst6561 and my favorite the 4992

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

@@seangerst6561 I’ll be doing a video on one that I’m restoring in

@seangerst6561 Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials the best thing is the finish inside the old Hamilton watches. It is a shame that we normaly can't even see the movement. And after a service we have to screew the Back on😓😅.

@sirbc Жыл бұрын

Interestingly, today I cleaned a 1930's Bulova 10AN (was previously running) and after inspecting the pallet fork after coming out of my Elma cleaning machine (L&R solvent based cleaner/rinse) the exit stone is cocked about 5 degrees. I don't know if that happened during cleaning (no ultrasonic was involved) or if the watch was able to run with the stone cocked like that. But it made me think of this video after watching it last night. So, what is your method for cleaning vintage balances and pallets? Do you just dip it in Hexane or scrub with a q-tip? Do you need to rinse after using the Hexane?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

I start by soaking the balance in hexane and give it some agitation with a blower. Pull it out and put in a a balance take holding the balance wheel and blow it dry. Then soak the pallet fork with some agitation and then inspect it under the microscope touching up if needed with a little ipa until the jewels are perfect. No rinse required. I don’t even clean these parts in my zenith basket cleaner. Always by hand. Your pallet would not have run if it was off by 5 degrees so this happened in the machine. It’s why I made the video. Doubt this would necessarily happen with a newer pallet forks say five or 10 years old, but my experience over the years has just lead me to know that vintage pallet, forks and balance wheels are much safer to be clean by hand.

@sirbc Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Thanks so much. Love the channel and looking forward to more great videos.

@KM-bj4ju 3 ай бұрын

انا في بلد لاتوجد فيه سوائل تنظيف خاصة بالساعات... يوجد بنزين يستخدم للتنظيف يباع في الأسواق يستخدمه صانعي الساعات.. هل هو مفيد وهل يمكن استخدام سوائل أخرى...شكرا جزيلا

@watchrepairtutorials 3 ай бұрын

When you have limited availability in cleaning products you must make some compromises. Don’t have accesss to Isopropyl alcohol or lighter fluid.

@sureshlingabathina 6 ай бұрын

Excellent

@watchrepairtutorials 6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much 😀

@daveellis608 9 ай бұрын

So do you just use hexane for your pallet fork and balance wheel assembly? A little confused as to best practice for these parts...

@watchrepairtutorials 9 ай бұрын

OK, no problem. I typically work on vintage moments where the shellac on the pallet fork an impulse Jewel are not always in the best condition. Because of that, I always clean those two parts by hand. I do not run them through any kind of watch cleaning machine because I’ve had problems with jewels becoming loose. So for those two parts, I use either Hexane and clean them by hand The point of this video was to demonstrate the limits of using IPA and the risk that you run when using it because some people say you can use it

@daveellis608 9 ай бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Ok perfect, got the reasoning behind the hexane vs IPA from the vid, just wasn't sure if you did any additional steps after the hexane / hand clean that weren't mentioned in the video for finishing the cleaning process for these parts. You're the absolute man, thank you!!

@watchrepairtutorials 9 ай бұрын

@@daveellis608 actually, yes. I do inspect the pallets stones to make sure that the impulse face is perfectly clean. Occasionally, you might need to touch it up with a fine tip Q-tip, but that’s about it.

@daveellis608 9 ай бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Awesome, thank you!

@mytuberforyou Жыл бұрын

Small point but- IPA not only displaces water, it absorbs water. Hexane, acetone, etc. displace water. I know in other videos you talk about IPA rinses of several minutes, I never rinse in IPA more than about 10 seconds- there is no need for discrete parts as there are no interior zero-clearance surfaces that can trap water like in assemblies. And pallet forks and balances I just use one dip and cut-down art brushes on. Because resetting pallet stones is quite honestly above my pay grade.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Yea science, I like it. IPA is a hydrophilic solvent, meaning it can dissolve in water.

@raknin Жыл бұрын

So what is the best way to clean the pallet and the hairspring with ipa? Put it for short time of 30 second for 5 interval?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

The time limits that were demonstrated are just that, limits to exposure. iPA is not the best cleaner for grease and oil so I would use a product like OneDip or Hexane. IPA is best used for minor touch up of the pallet stones.

@raknin Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials hi again I can not find in israel the degreasers you recommanded. What can i uset instead?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

@@raknin The best dish soap that removes grease.

@Michel-7.7.7 Жыл бұрын

Hi Alex, i'm no native english speaker, i hope it makes sense to you, when i say"thanks for watching"

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching as what I say to you. What is your native language?

@Michel-7.7.7 Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials i'm a german who likes wordgames✌️😁 and jokes

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

@@Michel-7.7.7 and now I get the joke. LOL I’m trying to get accurate close captioning in my videos so that you would be able to view them and German.

@sabbath7081 3 ай бұрын

What about the l&r cleaning and rinsing solution meant for a basket washer, the cleaner smells like ammonia and the rinse smells like mineral spirit.

@watchrepairtutorials 3 ай бұрын

L&R are probably my favorite professionally grade cleaners. The ammonia is there as a brighter. The mineral spirit that you smell in the rinse I believe is actually Napatha. The difference in this Napatha and what you would buy in a hardware store is the purity level. L&R is a great product no doubt and should be used if your budget allows for it

@sabbath7081 3 ай бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorialsthanks for the reply I was wondering about that stuff being safe for the shellac for two or three minutes in the basket cleaning and rinsing, I've already used it on a couple of old movements and I didn't notice any damage, I'm pretty new at disassembling fully and cleaning I've been messing around with my watches for 5 years or so pull a balance clean a cap jewel stuff like that but last summer I got the guts to do full disassembles on some of my older cheaper Swiss watches, then did a couple Omega 565 found them to be easier than some of the older cheaper Swiss ones.

@watchrepairtutorials 3 ай бұрын

@@sabbath7081 totally safe.

@spavliskojr Жыл бұрын

I learned this lesson the hard way. luckily it was on a 30 dollar seagull movement i didnt care about.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Those are the ones you don’t forget

@spavliskojr Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Damn right!

@sampatrick9704 3 ай бұрын

Does it have to be 99.9% or is 91% ok.

@watchrepairtutorials 3 ай бұрын

The purpose of the alcohol is to displace water affectively removing it from the parts. 91% is water down alcohol which means you’re essentially leaving more water on the parts than you want. You’re using a water rinsing system 99% is what you want to use. Otherwise I would recommend a solvent-based cleaning and rinsing system.

@lobdsk Жыл бұрын

Wish I would have seen this a year ago

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

oh boy, What Happened?

@lobdsk Жыл бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials I’ve had loose stones. I always thought it was wear. But now I’m not so sure😟

@CristiNeagu 7 ай бұрын

So how do we clean these parts? Q tip with IPA only?

@watchrepairtutorials 7 ай бұрын

I use hexane or trichloroethylene(TCE)

@CristiNeagu 7 ай бұрын

@@watchrepairtutorials Thanks for the response. Do L&R #111 and #3 cause issues with shellac, since they are mostly naphtha?

@watchrepairtutorials 7 ай бұрын

@@CristiNeagu not at all. Professional grade, cleaners and rinses are always gonna be the best if you can afford to use.

@best1yet Жыл бұрын

Integrity

@igedeputra8625 Жыл бұрын

Brother update

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

What?

@lukasschilliger8243 Жыл бұрын

Are you archer?

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

No. My name is Alex

@BadGuyDennis Жыл бұрын

This is a very useful video but unfortunately it is not helpful for me because 99% alcohol is controlled items in the place I live.

@johnvaluk1401 Жыл бұрын

Are you in the states? They control it here but sign paper being used for cleaning/sterilization will sell it

@BadGuyDennis Жыл бұрын

@@johnvaluk1401 Negative. Entirely not in North America.

@watchrepairtutorials Жыл бұрын

Which is where?

@johnvaluk1401 Жыл бұрын

@@BadGuyDennis Amazon list it for like 6$ for 16oz 99%ipa

@BadGuyDennis Жыл бұрын

Thank you guys for the passionate help. But I don't want to reveal where I am. (A little bit of hint: w i n n i e t h e p o o h is a sensitive term here, not that strictly prohibitive but sensitive. We still currently have the freedom to talk this term but I am not that optimistic in future. ) Anyway, surprisingly, lighter fluid is much loose controlled and much more readily available here.