How to use an Ultrasonic Cleaner to Clean Watch Parts: A beginners guide

Watch Repair Tutorials

26 Dec 202229:26

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the use of ultrasonic machines for cleaning watch parts, addressing common concerns about potential damage and the types of cleaners to use. It highlights the importance of understanding ultrasonic technology and proper pre-cleaning techniques. The video compares professional and DIY cleaners, emphasizing the safety and efficiency of using ultrasonic machines with the right frequency and cleaning solutions. It also provides tips on achieving the best results with water-based cleaners and the optimal use of heat, concluding with a recommendation for a cost-effective and efficient cleaning method for home watchmakers.

Takeaways

🧼 Ultrasonic machines can be safe and efficient for cleaning watch parts when used correctly.
💡 Professional watchmakers use ultrasonic cleaners, but they invest in high-end machines that combine rotating baskets and ultrasonic technology for optimal results.
🚫 Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners on vintage watch parts due to the risk of damaging the shellac, which could loosen jewels.
🌊 Understanding the limitations and similarities between professional-grade and benchtop ultrasonic machines is crucial for effective cleaning.
📶 Ultrasonic machines work by creating sound waves that produce tiny bubbles for cleaning, but the effectiveness varies with frequency and machine design.
💰 High-end ultrasonic machines can be expensive, but there are affordable options that can still provide professional results.
💦 Water-based cleaners are acceptable for watch parts and can be used effectively with the right technique and temperature settings.
🌡️ The temperature of the cleaning solution can significantly impact the performance of the ultrasonic machine, with higher temperatures reducing dead spots but decreasing scrubbing power.
🧪 Pre-cleaning watch parts before using an ultrasonic machine is essential for optimal results and preventing damage.
儒 The use of detergents and their recommended temperatures can greatly affect the cleaning process, so following manufacturer guidelines is important.
🔧 Experimenting with different cleaners and settings can help you find the best cleaning routine for your specific needs and equipment.

Q & A

What is the main concern regarding the use of ultrasonic machines for cleaning watch parts?
-The main concern is the potential damage to vintage parts with lower quality or deteriorated shellac, which could lead to the separation of the shellac from the metal, possibly loosening a jewel and creating a problem that may not be easily solvable for a home watchmaker.
What type of cleaning machines do professional watchmakers use?
-Professional watchmakers use high-end cleaning machines that often combine rotating baskets with ultrasonic technology to achieve the fastest and most efficient cleaning of watch parts.
What is the ideal frequency range for an ultrasonic machine used for cleaning watch parts?
-The ideal frequency range for an ultrasonic machine used for cleaning watch parts is at least 40 kilohertz, as it produces smaller and more evenly distributed cavitation bubbles, resulting in more effective cleaning with fewer dead spots.
What are the two basic types of cleaning fluids used in ultrasonic machines?
-The two basic types of cleaning fluids used in ultrasonic machines are solvent-based and water-based cleaners.
Why is pre-cleaning an important step before using an ultrasonic machine?
-Pre-cleaning is important because it helps remove the heaviest grease and dried lubricant, which can aid in seeing and inspecting the parts more effectively, and also helps to loosen up any dried lubricant before the actual cleaning process.
What is the purpose of the 'degassing' function in ultrasonic machines?
-The 'degassing' function in ultrasonic machines helps to remove gas bubbles from the cleaning solution. These bubbles can interfere with the ultrasonic waves' cleaning ability, so removing them enhances the machine's efficiency.
What are the advantages of using water-based cleaners in an ultrasonic machine?
-Water-based cleaners are advantageous because they allow for the introduction of heat during the cleaning process. Heat improves the distribution of cavitation bubbles, reducing dead spots, and can be used with a wider range of cleaning solutions that may not be compatible with solvent-based cleaners.
How does the temperature of the cleaning fluid affect the performance of an ultrasonic machine?
-As the fluid temperature increases, it improves the distribution of cavitation bubbles, which reduces dead spots. However, at higher temperatures, the scrubbing force of the bubbles decreases. The optimal temperature for most cleaning solutions is around 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).
What are some cost-effective alternatives for cleaning watch parts using an ultrasonic machine?
-Cost-effective alternatives for cleaning watch parts include using a mixture of Dawn dish soap and water, or using deionized water followed by an IPA rinse. These options are lower in cost and are just as effective when used correctly.
How can you ensure that your watch parts do not rust when using water-based cleaners?
-To prevent rusting when using water-based cleaners, always follow up with a rinse in a solvent like isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to displace any remaining water. Additionally, using distilled or deionized water can help minimize the risk of rust, as these types of water have fewer minerals that can cause corrosion.
What is the 'sweet spot' for achieving the best results with an ultrasonic machine?
-The 'sweet spot' for achieving the best results with an ultrasonic machine involves finding the optimal balance between the machine's frequency, the fluid temperature, the cleaning time, and the type of detergent used. Experimenting with these factors can help you determine the most effective cleaning process for your specific needs.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Understanding Ultrasonic Cleaning for Watch Parts

This paragraph discusses the misconceptions around ultrasonic cleaning of watch parts. It emphasizes that with proper knowledge and precautions, ultrasonic machines can be safely used to clean not just watch cases and bracelets, but also parts. The speaker intends to review various ultrasonic cleaners and reveal cost-effective ways to achieve optimal results. The importance of professional watchmakers using ultrasonic cleaning is acknowledged, and the differences between high-end and benchtop machines are discussed, highlighting the need to understand the limitations and capabilities of ultrasonic cleaning for watchmaking.

05:02

🌀 How Ultrasonic Cleaning Works and Its Limitations

This section explains the working principle of ultrasonic cleaners, which involves creating standing waves that produce tiny bubbles imploding onto watch parts, a process known as cavitation. It discusses the impact of frequency on the size and distribution of cavitation bubbles, and hence the cleaning effectiveness. The concept of 'dead spots' within the cleaner where cleaning is less effective is introduced. The paragraph also addresses the risks associated with using solvent-based cleaners in home ultrasonic machines, advocating for the safer use of detergents and the importance of understanding the machine's operation for maximum benefit.

10:02

💧 Water-Based vs. Solvent-Based Cleaning Fluids

This paragraph delves into the types of cleaning fluids used in ultrasonic machines, contrasting solvent-based and water-based options. It dispels common concerns about rusting when using water-based detergents by citing authoritative sources from the watchmaking industry that endorse the practice. The paragraph also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different cleaning solutions, including their costs and the need for proper drying methods after cleaning to prevent damage to the watch parts.

15:05

🧼 Pre-Cleaning and the Choice of Cleaning Solutions

The speaker shares personal pre-cleaning practices before using an ultrasonic machine, such as removing heavy grease and lubricant. Various watch lubricants are tested on rotors to evaluate the effectiveness of different cleaning solutions. The process includes soaking balance and pallet forks separately in solvents and emphasizes the importance of using the right cleaning solution for the task. The paragraph outlines a testing procedure for cleaning solutions, including the use of a food dehydrator for drying parts, and provides cost analysis for each method.

20:06

🌡️ The Impact of Temperature on Ultrasonic Cleaning

This section explores how fluid temperature affects the ultrasonic cleaning process, explaining that increasing temperature improves the distribution of cavitation bubbles but reduces their scrubbing force. The optimal temperature for different cleaning solutions is discussed, and a 'foil test' is introduced as a method to demonstrate the effectiveness of cavitation bubbles at varying temperatures. The paragraph also covers the importance of finding the right balance between cleaning power and coverage for effective ultrasonic cleaning.

25:07

🧽 Testing Water-Based Cleaners for Watch Parts

The paragraph presents a series of tests conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various water-based cleaners, including Elmo Red 1.9 and a mixture of Dawn dish soap and water. The tests involve applying different watch lubricants on rotors, followed by a standardized cleaning, rinsing, and drying process. The results are compared against solvent-based cleaners, and the costs associated with each method are analyzed. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation on the optimal use of water-based cleaners, highlighting their cost-effectiveness and ease of disposal.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Ultrasonic Machine

An ultrasonic machine is a device that uses high-frequency sound waves to clean objects by creating tiny bubbles that implode and remove dirt and grease. In the video, it is discussed as a tool for cleaning watch parts, with emphasis on selecting the right machine and using it correctly to avoid damaging delicate components.

💡Cavitation

Cavitation is a process where bubbles are created by the ultrasonic sound waves in a liquid, which then implode and generate a cleaning effect by knocking off dirt and grease from surfaces. It is central to the operation of ultrasonic cleaning machines and is discussed in the video in relation to the cleaning efficiency and the importance of finding the sweet spot for optimal cleaning results.

💡Watch Parts

Watch parts refer to the various components that make up the internal mechanism of a watch, such as the pallet fork, balance wheel, and other small gears and screws. The video focuses on the proper cleaning of these parts using ultrasonic machines, highlighting the need for care to avoid damage, especially when dealing with vintage or delicate parts.

💡Cleaning Fluids

Cleaning fluids are the substances used in ultrasonic machines to assist in the removal of dirt and grease from objects. They can be solvent-based or water-based and are chosen based on their compatibility with the materials being cleaned. The video provides insights into the different types of cleaning fluids suitable for watch parts and their respective cleaning effectiveness.

💡Frequency

Frequency in the context of ultrasonic machines refers to the rate at which the sound waves are produced, measured in kilohertz (kHz). The frequency affects the size and distribution of cavitation bubbles, which in turn influences the cleaning efficiency. Higher frequencies produce smaller bubbles with less scrubbing power but fewer dead spots, while lower frequencies create larger, more powerful bubbles with more dead spots.

💡Pre-Cleaning

Pre-cleaning is the initial process of manually removing heavy grease and dirt from watch parts before using an ultrasonic machine for further cleaning. This step is crucial to enhance the effectiveness of the ultrasonic cleaning and to prevent potential damage to delicate watch components.

💡Detergent

Detergent is a type of cleaning agent used to remove dirt and stains from objects. In the context of the video, detergents are water-based cleaning fluids used in ultrasonic machines for cleaning watch parts. The choice of detergent can affect the safety and effectiveness of the cleaning process.

💡Rinsing

Rinsing is the process of washing off the cleaning solution and any remaining dirt or grease from the object being cleaned. In the context of the video, rinsing is an essential step after ultrasonic cleaning watch parts to ensure no residue from the cleaning process remains on the components.

💡Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning in this context refers to the process of removing all moisture from cleaned watch parts using heat without any liquid cleaning agents. This step is crucial to prevent rust and ensure the parts are ready for reassembly or further work.

💡Watch Lubricants

Watch lubricants are special oils and greases applied to the moving parts of a watch to reduce friction and ensure smooth operation. In the video, different types of watch lubricants are applied to rotors for testing the cleaning efficiency of various ultrasonic cleaners.

💡Shellac

Shellac is a natural resin used in watchmaking, particularly on vintage watch parts, to hold jewels in place. The condition of the shellac can affect the decision to use an ultrasonic machine for cleaning, as the cleaning action could potentially damage or loosen the shellac, leading to jewel displacement.

Highlights

Ultrasonic machines can be safe and efficient for cleaning watch parts when used correctly.

Professional watchmakers use ultrasonic machines for cleaning due to their efficiency.

High-end cleaning machines used by professionals combine rotating baskets and ultrasonic technology.

The risk of damage when cleaning vintage parts is higher due to the condition and quality of the parts.

Professional watchmakers have the equipment and experience to handle potential damages during cleaning.

Benchtop ultrasonic machines are designed for detergent use, not solvent-based cleaners.

Using solvent-based cleaners at home can be dangerous due to the risk of explosion and fumes.

Ultrasonic machines work by creating sound waves that produce tiny bubbles for cleaning, known as cavitation.

The frequency of the ultrasonic machine affects the size and distribution of cavitation bubbles.

Lower kilohertz machines produce larger, more powerful cavitation bubbles but also larger dead spots.

Higher kilohertz machines create smaller bubbles with less scrubbing power but smaller dead spots.

Water-based detergents are accepted for cleaning watch parts and can be used safely with precautions.

Distilled or deionized water is recommended for cleaning watch parts to minimize mineral content.

Drying watch parts with heat after cleaning is important, and a food dehydrator can be used effectively.

Pre-cleaning watch parts before using an ultrasonic machine improves the overall cleaning results.

Different cleaning solutions can be tested for their effectiveness on watch parts in an ultrasonic machine.

The sweet spot for ultrasonic cleaning involves optimizing frequency, fluid temperature, cleaning time, and detergent.

Heat affects the ultrasonic waves and cavitation bubbles, improving their distribution and reducing dead spots.

Finding the right temperature for the cleaning solution is crucial for effective ultrasonic cleaning.

Transcripts

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