Homage Forum

I am going to try and clean a movement for the first time. I have a couple of questions.

I have any ultrasonic cleaner, small baskets and möbius oil.

I do not have any specific cleaning solution to use. I was thinking of using water with small amount of dish detergent. Then rinse with rubbing alcohol. Will this work?

I do not want to remove any jewels. Can I put the complete balance assembly in the ultrasonic?

I am assuming I should remove the main spring from barrel drum. Can you wind the mainspring by hand? Could I put the barrel drum with main spring still inside, into the ultrasonic?

I am going to use a cheap movement to be prepared for potentially ruining it.

I'm interested in this too

No alcohol, first off. I learned this the hard way. I later heard from the pros here why.

You'll want distilled water if you make your own solution. I think others here have posted recipes for a cleaning solution in the past.

I would remove the mainspring or just not wash the barrel if you aren't comfortable putting it back in. Yes it can be done by hand. Check youtube.

I'm not sure about the balance - I would wait for an answer from one of our real pros on that. @Yoda @unreformed66 @djolemag

What movement are you using? Just curious.

A few "of course".

Remove all screws and make sure that the mainspring is let down

No need to clean all the small parts, unless they are dirty.

Remove the balance assembly.

Remove the hole- and cap jewels from the main plate and balance cock.

Mainspring out of the barrel and clean it manually.

Put barrel, all bridges and other large parts in the cleaning basket.

NOT the balance assembly!

Avoid alcohol! The pallet arbor assembly and balance assembly have parts set in stuff that will dissolve in alcohol.

I use ELMA 9:1 and rinse in water, dip in alcohol and put it on the hot air blower. The ELMA fluid is based on ammonia and some other chemicals.

No need to remove jewels from the plates.

Out of curiosity, which movement are you going to use?

Thanks for the tips.

I am planning to clean an older eta 6497.

I might experiment on a cheap molly or a6497.

mountaineer wrote: ↑September 1st, 2021, 11:16 am Thanks for the tips.

I am planning to clean an older eta 6497.

I might experiment on a cheap molly or a6497.

Old 649X are fun! Good luck!

Good watch repair tutorials.

I see Elma 9:1 as good solution for cleaning, using it for many years...
However, it is mandatory to rinse it well.