Perhaps a test is called for...

Ron, you raise an important point...is it absolutely necessary to use additional lubricant after cleaning a movement with lighter fluid?

I remember this issue being discussed here years ago and I had the impression at that time that those using this technique were NOT doing any additional lubrication after using the lighter fluid. The reason being that the Ronson lighter fluid already contained a lubricant.

So, maybe Dorsey could test his Ronson lighter fluid to see if, indeed, it does contain any lubricant that is left behind after it evaporates away. The simplest way to do this would be to just place a small quantity of the lighter fluid into a CLEAN glass and allow it to evaporate away outdoors. Then examine the bottom of the glass to see if there is a thin oily film left on it. IF so, then additional lubrication of his watch's movement might not be necessary. IF not, then, obviously, it will be necessary or he will have a bone dry movement that will not run for too long before it "grinds" to halt...literally!

Hmmm...assuming that the Ronson lighter fluids that they now sell are devoid of any lubricant (unlike what I read years ago), then I wonder if one could, prior to cleaning the watch, just add a few drops of watch oil (or even something like mineral oil) to the lighter fluid to compensate for this. The fluid should then still be able to flush out the old rancid oils from the watch's movement along with any metallic grit buildup between the wheel and pinion teeth, yet, upon evaporation, leave behind a thin film of oil to protect the gear train from wear.


technoguy