Resurrecting vintage clocks

Step 3: Sometimes things get dirty and dry

One of the most common problems with old wind-up clocks is that they get dirty and need lubrication.  A good indication that this may be the problem is to look at the fast/slow adjustment lever on the back of a wind-up clock.  It it has been adjusted most or all the way to the "fast" setting, more than likely it just needs a bit of cleaning and lubrication.

I typically clean these old movements by first removing the movement from the housing, shooting some WD-40 around all moving parts (to blast away grit and solidified oil), then lightly oiling it with a very fine machine oil (such as sewing machine oil).  In most cases this will get these old wind-up clocks running again.

Occasionally a mainspring will get dirty or develop a light coat of rust.  WD-40 tends to fix this as well.  Many people believe a clock can be overwound, but there is no such thing.  Clocks were made to be wound completely.  If it's not running, more often than not it is either a lubrication problem on the balance wheel, or a dirty or rusted mainspring.

Comments

[Error - Table users is corrupt]

Be wary of WD40 and electric clocks, as WD40 is very flammable and can be explosive in a confined space.

[orafist]

WD40 is NOT a lubricant. its a water displacer and contact cleaner. It will do more harm than good on a watch. I have heard it can triple the cost of having a watch repaired.

[knife141]

I have heard that, too. But in all my years of fixing old clocks, that has not been my experience. In my testing of WD40 I've found that it floats above water (like most lubricants) rather than displacing it. That's why it is not effective in preventing rust (again, based on first-hand testing). It does make for a really good light lubricant, though, and attracts dirt less than regular light oils.

[orafist]

I absolutely love wd-40 and was surprised to see so many repair experts take a strong stand against its use with clockwork mechanisms. Many feel it will provide a temporary fix and will initially seem like a GREAT idea but will eventually (within a year or two) form a shellac that will coat the mechanism causing damage and undue wear.

[knife141]

Yes, I've heard the same stories, but again that has not been my experience. I have clocks that have been running for a decade that were lubricated with wd-40, and they're still ticking away. Plus, I've yet to see a clock repairman that doesn't keep a can of wd-40 handy. I think the "don't use wd-40" legends are similar to the "don't use Armour All" ones in the automotive world.

[orafist]

I certainly believe that wd-40 in the right hands can do wonders, have you ever used wd-40 to repair a pocket watch/wristwatch?

[knife141]

No, I've only worked on a couple of watches -- they're too small for my old hands and eyes. Wd-40 is too hard to control on a mechanism that small. I have had success lubing a couple of pocket watches with a tiny amount of cigarette lighter fluid, though. I've. Heard of others using kerosene, but have never tried it myself. It may be the same thing, though.

[orafist]

I have an older pocket ben "dollar watch" pocket watch and I am thinking about trying a small amount of lighter fluid, it has a shroud covering the majority of the movement and only the balance wheel is visible when you pop the back off , I have been told taking it apart to clean would be suicide for a beginner like me. Theres no way I can justify the price of a professional cleaning since the watch is not an heirloom, just a neat garage sale find that i would love to have working.

[knife141]

I never take a watch apart -- too tiny for me. I would try just a tiny drop of lighter fluid on the balance wheel pivots first, then carefully start the wheel to see if that gets it going (might have to try several times initially to get it going). If that doesn't do the trick, I would move on to other pivots. Good luck!

[orafist]

I tried the lighter fluid and it did a nice job cleaning out years of gunk, unfortunately I could not resist touching the little dial that allows for slower/faster movement and when I did the hairspring contorted itself into a mess. I am pretty sure it would have worked if I just left well enough alone. No worries though, I can dissect this one and hopefully learn something. I really appreciate your advice, after reading your instructables I feel comfortable finding some older clocks and trying my luck at repair.

[GMer56]

My grandfather gave me an Elgin wind-up pocket watch a few weeks ago that would only run for a little while then stop. After researching for a while I found this instructable today and tried spraying a little WD-40 on the balance wheel. Now the little 128 year-old watch is ticking happily alongside my Spartus Alarm clock. Thank you for this great Instructable!!!

[paqrat]

I worked cleaning watchs for several years and using WD-40 isn't the best thing to use. It can dry out and become sticky which allows bits of dirt stick to parts and can then abrade parts. Its not a good idea to run a pocket watch without its being cleaned and oiled with a watch compatible oil. A pocket watch spring is generally powerful enough to run with jewels dry which causes wear on the staffs of the various wheels and can lead to them needing to be replaced.

[knife141]

Glad to hear you got your watch running. I've also had some luck cleaning & lubricating old pocket watches with cigarette lighter fluid. Sounds a bit odd, but it helps to dissolve solidified oil and provide a bit of thin lubrication. Thanks for your comment!

[paqrat]

I have heard in the old days they used to use kerosene (sp?) to clean watches. Never tried it myself. I don't know how useful it would be as a lubricant.

[Bryan Smith]

In the old days, they cleaned clocks with benzene which is not available anymore since it causes cancer. Watches were cleaned a hundred years ago in a solution of potassium cyanide. Many a watchmaker was found dead at his bench from accidentally inhaling the fumes. They oiled the watches with porpoise jaw oil. It stinks to high heaven when it goes rancid in an old watch.