Mainspring cleaning

[JohnClu]

Can you clean mainsprings in the ultrasonic or do they have to be cleaned by hand and if so what is the best cleaner for them? John

[JohnClu]

Just went back over the videos and yes you can clean the springs in the ultrasonic with the same cleaner as for the other parts. Woops, John

[timsebrell]

Hey guys, I'd like to chime in on this conversation. So I cleaned a couple of springs in an ultrasonic cleaner and the solution turned black from dirt. So then I had to change it for the movement parts. So I'm wondering can you leave the spring on a ollie baker type winder and stretch it out and clean it by hand. Does this harm the spring in any way?

[Clocks-R-Me]

Hello Timsebrell,
Yes for sure you can. That is the same procedure I use. You just need to take care not to force open the most inner coils because that can alter their shape and damage the integrity of the spring. I wipe it clean with a lint free rag soaked in kerosene. I sometimes run it through the ultrasonic afterwards to complete the cleaning process without contaminating my solution. Another way I have done it is to soak the spring in a pan of older cleaning solution then move it to a second pan of used solution then on to the ultrasonic. Both ways work well for me.
Hope this helps, Dan

[timsebrell]

Hey Clocks R Me, Thanks for the tip