Cleaning Watch parts

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Jan Dietrich

·Mar 3, 2026

Hello guys!

I‘m curious to find out how other Hobby watchmakers clean their Watch parts without a Watch cleaning machine. I‘m starting with a Watch cleaning solition called platina 1:20 in an ultrasonic cleaner and afterwards i dip them in isopropanol. But sometimes that leaves light strains over the parts. I‘m not quite satisfied with the results. Especialy with drying the parts. The airblower is quite much work. So whats your approach? Is there Maybe a queap solution?

 

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sheepdoll

·Mar 3, 2026

Invest in a proper cleaning machine.

Watchmaking is an expensive hobby/profession. If not willing to spend on the tools then what is the point?

That said I mix my own cleaner using the Henry B. Fried/NAWCC formula. Also note that using IPA or other alcohol can loosen jewels that are held in by shellac.

Ideally one would use de-ionized water for the rinse. DI water loves to soak up minerals and things. Usually though I use hardware store distilled (not filtered) water. You do not want the minerals, which leaves the film. Alcohol when used soaks up the water. Which is why 90 proof or more is needed. The lower proof stuff is just water.

My machine spin dries the parts. I sometimes goose it with a hairdryer on low.

 

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ErichKeane

·Mar 3, 2026

I found the L&R #101 and #3 pair in an ultrasonic did pretty well (in a jar + sitting in the water of the US), but the spinning helps a lot for cleaning. There is a hand-wound spinner that is pretty good too, but it is a little pricy @ ~150. The little battery powered jars (ala-aliexpress) are a total waste of money though.

The heated dry of a watch cleaning machine is totally worth it though as you've discovered. YOu can get drying machines (just a heater + fan that you put stuff on top of), but they don't really do a great job.

 

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rendo

·Mar 3, 2026·faux legend

I would look into kiwiCleaner if I didn't have a watch cleaning machine already, assuming you have access to a 3D printer.

https://www.diywatchcleaner.com/

 

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Leeroy

·Mar 4, 2026

This is my cheapskate DIY spin dryer 😬

Probably not recommended but it suffices my 1 a month cheapo Seiko rebuild. A de-ionised rinse (or two) does help remove stains and a pre-wash is handy on particularly stinky movements, I've now got 6 jars in my cleaning routine which is a bit overkill but it passes the day 😀 That kiwiprinter is very interesting, if I ever increase production it's definitely one to keep an eye on.

 

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Jan Dietrich

·Mar 4, 2026

Im thinking about Building myself something Like this

 

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ErichKeane

·Mar 4, 2026

Jan Dietrich

Im thinking about Building myself something Like this

That is the one non-full-machine version I heard anything positive about. Note it doesn't do heated dry/have a way to do that easily though.

 

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Jan Dietrich

·Mar 4, 2026

Yes but i can Switch between the glasses and in the end use a hairdryer to dry the parts.

 

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lenndon

·Mar 4, 2026

It goes a long way to spend the money for a proper Elma / Urema / L&H ... machine. Restoring a vintage one is also a fun option. And it is a true game changer.

 

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ErichKeane

·Mar 4, 2026

lenndon

It goes a long way to spend the money for a proper Elma / Urema / L&H ... machine. Restoring a vintage one is also a fun option. And it is a true game changer.

Yeah, I will note: I went through basically ALL of the non-real-machines, and none of the solutions came close to as good as the L&R I fixed up. They are absolutely worth the money.

 

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lenndon

·Mar 4, 2026

ErichKeane

Yeah, I will note: I went through basically ALL of the non-real-machines, and none of the solutions came close to as good as the L&R I fixed up. They are absolutely worth the money.

Same. Tried many different options until I restored a Urema Super Automat and will never look back. If you are lucky and got your searchesright (in the bay and local market places) something cheap might pop up as well.