Tuesday, February 24, 2009

How Do You Clean A Wristwatch?

By Debra Brian Hunt

While cleaning wristwatches is best done by a professional, you can do it at home if you like tinkering with mechanical things .You might not want to try this at first on an expensive or favourite wristwatch that means a lot to you, as you will most likely ruin the first watch you try this on. Get an inexpensive watch to practice on till you get perfect.

To begin with, make certain you have a place to practise. A big table that is clear will be good, or it would be even more wonderful if you have an apposite workstation in your garage where you can do this peacefully. Include a white sheet on top of the table prior to beginning, since this will not only make it convenient to see the little bits and pieces, but will also thwart parts from bouncing off the table when they fall.

Most of all, you will need exceptional lighting where you work. You should also have a lamp, (fluorescent would be best to the table so you can get some straight light. The next thing you need is a good quality screwdriver set. Make sure you get a desirable quality set since this will not break the screws on the watch.

In addition, you will also require a dish to keep all the parts you take out of the watch on. It would be best if this has sections fabricated inside it, and as you strip the watch begin putting the pieces from right to left so you don't get puzzled afterwards. An additional thing you require is a good pair of tweezers. This will be essential to manage the small parts, and ensure you fit them back into the watch perfectly.

You will also require cleaning supplies. If you are serious about this pastime, you can purchase apt ultrasonic parts cleaners from internet, but in the start you can just employ Naptha. This is the component that makes up lighter fluids, and evaporates quickly without leaving remains. Pour a very little quantity in a cup and then infuse all the parts in this for a while.

After you do this, you need to take a small brush, paintbrush, or makeup brush, and brush the pieces and then remove them from the liquid and put them on a towel or filter paper to dry them out.

You will also need to obtain oil, such as Moebius to oil the watch sections. To do this, you need to have an oiler which is thin wire including a flat side. In order to see what you are doing, you need to have a magnifying glass. Procure a blower to help you get rid of dust from the sections, and get a hands remover to appropriately do away with and place back the posts while you clean the watch.

To start off, unscrew the back of the watch and open it up. Once you have done this, you need to let down the mainspring which is what keeps the watch running. The next thing to remove is the movement, followed by the hands and finally the dial. Keep going on removing pieces till you are left with the skeleton of the watch in your hand. Now put all the pieces in the cleaner fluid and wait a few minutes.

After this, put the sections back the way you removed them making sure you do it in order right. Wind it and twist the lid back on and notice if it is functioning. - 17943

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