Any Way to Get Crud Off Pocket Watch?

[osgood]

Found this today, 8 inches deep. It is fairly big for those Ive seen. I think gold plated. Main cover has nice design but covered with conglomerate like stone, we re trying to see if there is a monogram, with the graphics. With effort I can lift off tiny bits and did see the good finish underneath, but that stuff is rock hard. I dont think its a bubbling of the actually base metal but again a mineral like deposit. Electrolysis? Hydrogen Peroxide , leave it alone? Did they ever used to use rope or "string" made of hair to act as a washer or gaskets, on the seams? The insides, dial , and lens where all missing. Any help appreciated, thanks, CO

 

[Tim LeBlanc]

Hi osgood. From what I was told to do for coins is wrap the item in gauze and put it into a container of olive oil or mineral oil. That should help loosen up the crud. Every few days rub it with gauze in your fingers use a very light toothbrush and wooden toothpicks. It will take a very long time but patience is a virtue. So good luck and happy hunting ....Tim

 

[Tim LeBlanc]

Also check the web site called metaldetectingworld.com. Has a lot of godd info there. HH

 

[jim tn]

I like the olive oil and gauze soak, too. But as Tim mention, it can take a while. Nice find! Looks old. HH jim tn

 

[Tim LeBlanc]

Oh yes very nice find. Go with the oil soak. Its the only way to go. The other methods well....I have found out first hand in the past that they ruin everything. Take the patina right off. Electrolosis or hydrgen pyroxide. You have to constantly watch. With oil you don't. It may take weeks or months but the results will make you happy. I just go with oil that's my only method now. It takes time to get minerlized crud to stick and it takes time to remove it. HH tim. TN Jim knows.