Liquid Wrench and WD-40 are basically solvent such as kerosene, with a very, very small amount of oil.
dg
Hi Denny,
In my opinion, the degree of precision in jeweled watch movements is pretty close to magic. Oil used in mechanical watches is a matter of endless and occasionally manic debate. Around 20 years ago a friend who also repairs watches and I were talking and he told me if I wanted a great alternative to expensive oil just shake the WD40 can really well for a few minutes and spray an inch or so into a pimiento jar or other small glass jar. Let this sit undisturbed for a week and you'll see 2 layers. At the bottom will be a cloudy whitish layer containing paraffin and other trash (possibly even some water for all we know) and at the top will be what you want...a very fine oil mixed with a petroleum byproduct of some variety. Don't know what it is but it floats in this mixture. When it dries, it will have just the amount of lubrication you need. I've used it in watches, sewing machines, typewriters, electric motors, cameras...all sorts of things. And it works just like he said it would. Just keep away from the bottom layer.
Now, for the flip side: Since then I've watched all sorts of people use WD40. In fact, every time I see anyone pick up a can of WD40, I stop and watch them. Male, female, young, old, smart, not so smart. It doesn't matter. Most of them simply pick the can up and start spraying immediately, occasionally comically jiggling the can a bit as they spray. I'll bet you've seen people do this, too. If not, please start watching. Remember what is at the bottom of the jar? Well, this comes out first unless you shake the can and it will until that bottom layer has all been sprayed out. But I can't believe the WD40 people want that to happen.
Jon
