Clock cleaning what all can soak.

[pickpocket]

Hello

I am new to clock repair/ CLeaning. at the moment i was cleaning an old Seth Thomas mantel clock. i took out the movment. can i dip the whole thing and soak, it all looks brass with alot of tarnish and green gooy oil. also should i just use watch oil for the bearings or is grease/ graphit a better choice. thanks i did find alot on the solutions i am not use if all the springs can get dipped , or reoiled. dont want to get over my head on the first time


Mike

[pickpocket]

Hello

I am new to clock repair/ CLeaning. at the moment i was cleaning an old Seth Thomas mantel clock. i took out the movment. can i dip the whole thing and soak, it all looks brass with alot of tarnish and green gooy oil. also should i just use watch oil for the bearings or is grease/ graphit a better choice. thanks i did find alot on the solutions i am not use if all the springs can get dipped , or reoiled. dont want to get over my head on the first time


Mike

[john brendel]

Hi Mike,
You need to do more than dip it. It needs to be disassembled completely and preferably cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner. If you leave brass parts too long in an ammonia based cleaner they will disintegrate. The parts are typically cleaned in the ultasonic for 10-20 minutes max. Also you must let down the springs before you dissasemble the clock, Otherwise, you may destroy wheels and gears or injure yourself when the springs let go. Some special equipment is needed. Be careful! Beginning clock repairers need supervision. Good Luck John

[pickpocket]

thanks for the advise i will email you for the reading list. i sure dont want to damage anything. but would like to keep it running. i got one quote for 195.00 to clean it and i was doing so well with my pocket watch repairing i though i would try this nice old mantel clock.
thanks i will try and learn more.

Mike

[Ed Cypress]

If you can, purchase a small digital camera to take photos of your clock fully assembled at different angles. The takes shots as you disssemble the clock. When you download the photos to your computer, you can print and lable those that are most beneficial to you. Howeever, if you choose to leave the photos on screen, you can enlarge and enhance the shots as you do you your work.

A spring winder, such as Ollie Baker, is an absolute must. I had a tightly wound spring cut my hands to ribbons. I learned the hard way.

[plaidford]

Interesting article in Harpers. It doesn't mention it, but I imagine you could cut up some onion, potatoes, carrots and herbs & spices (including some "thyme" of course) and throw them in the pot as well.

May not do much for cleaning the clock, but at least it'd be a start on some good stew! :razz:

[plaidford]

Ok....I can take a hint....I'll leave the carrots out....is that better? :wink:

[pickpocket]

Thank you very much, i appreciate the light hearted info. but I am a grill fan, hummmmm boil grill, close enough. Currently still gather my solution, i have unwound the springs and will do the drawing and photo idea. thanks Mike

[Lorie]

Dear Pickpocket:
I'll probably be new to clock repair for many years. One thing that helps me, in addition to the must-have drawings of the movement, is a big supply of baggies. I put the parts in the baggie with the drawing. Some of the many-part clocks require lots of baggies and drawings.