Hi,
I have noticed that a few watches that I have gotten lately are just coated in oil. One BW Raymond actually dripped oil when I got it out of the case.
For awhile now I take apart every watch I get to clean, oil correctly, and adjust it. But can this oil bath they receive before I get them do any long term harm? If so I wonder how to spot it in pictures to avoid it.

JIm, I guess it depends on the type of lubricant,Though I've read some types, such as WD40, will contaminate your cleaning solution.

Thanks for that info. Since I dont know what was used if I run into any more like that I think I will clean the parts twice so as to remove as much as possible. I dont use a lot of cleaner in my little setup on each cleaning so its not a great loss. Better to be safe than sorry.

WD-40 has shown to be a poor choice for a lube. The Ct. State police had a few failures from the lube drying and jamming the gun. Nothing surprises me about the 'Bay any more.

I just finished cleaning a pvt label getty model Illinois that was absolutely filthy. Someone had sprayed what I believe to be WD 40 all over the mvt. It was even between the top plate and the bridges. Surprisingly it was running when I received it!

Amazing. WD40 was never intended to be used as a true lubricant in the first place. It was crated to displace water, hense the 'WD' in it's name, 'water displacement'. Of COURSE their guns jammed!

Regards! Mark

Hi Bill;

We too found it to be unusable as a lubricant. It also freezes at temperatures below -5 F.
I've seen Semi Auto's and Revolvers jam up solid in the winter time up here with WD-40 in the works
Bud