Clock Oil Gone Gummy In A Couple of Weeks

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:51 pm     Post subject: Clock Oil Gone Gummy In A Couple of Weeks

I took my Enfield mantle clock apart for a good clean a couple of weeks ago, reassembled it and oiled it (sparingly!) with Anchor brand clock oil bought off Ebay. It worked fine until a week ago when it first stopped chiming, then stopped ticking. Took the mechanism out last night and the clock oil has gone 'gummy' on at least the last two pinions in each drive train. I've temporarily applied some 3-in-1 oil which has loosened it up sufficiently to start working again. So what has gone wrong? I cleaned it originally using Isopropyl Alcohol, which is probably not the right stuff but it seems to get the muck off. Could some residue have reacted with the oil? Is the oil naff?

Thanks,

Stuart.

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:26 pm     Post subject:

The oil used needs to be good quality.

I use windles and turret oil and never looked back.

The I A you used is good for a quick drying solution.

The oil must have been a cheap one. 3-in-1 is good for the time being, it cleans and oils.

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:36 pm     Post subject:

Thanks clokfxr.

I got some Windles clock oil. Just to make sure its the right stuff, its colourless and odourless, yes? Unlike the Anchor oil I had which is probably vegetable oil with a splash of diesel.

Stuart.

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:23 pm     Post subject:

thats the stuff !!