How to clean mechanical clockwork

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:40 pm     Post subject: How to clean mechanical clockwork

Hello everybody,
I am brand new to this forum and writing to you from France.
I have an old French clock with a Verge escapement - which inspires me. It is old and very, very dusty. Can anyone advise me on how to clean up every speck of dust and grime in an efficient way? Is there any way I can do this without taking everything apart? Is there a cleaning solution that I can put the whole clock into? What do the experts do?
Looking forward to some helpful hints from forum members.
And I look forward to spending happy hours reading through previous posts on the forum.
Adieu

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:10 pm     Post subject:

Hello to you.

Unfortunately you have a clock with very delicate pivots and to do a good clean it will HAVE to be stripped down - this is what the experts do.
Winding has to be let-down to release the force of the mainsprings.
mainsprings have to checked for breaks, wear and cleaned or replaced.
Wheels ahve to checked for damage, wear and cleaned.
Clock has to be checked in case it needs bushings.

I would advise you to start with a very simple clock first and get a good book to study.