Restoring ancient digital watch.

[Jbrt]

I purchased one of the first available digital watches in RSA in 1978. I was in the army and the $3 I payed for the watch then was a fortune. I have kept the watch to show the younger generation what a digital watch looked like in the late seventies.
The watch displayed red numbers. As you can see on the pictures, all types of wonderful crystals grew on the electronics; I presume this was caused by leaving the batteries in for too long. Is there a way I can safely dissolve these growths and use the watch again? I will appreciate any advice.

 

[HellasTechn]

I think there may be a chance of reviving this artifact by using isopropyl alcohol spray. Personally i wouldnt risk cleaning it with a brush because you will certainly destroy the tine wires. the traces look okay under the growth. They knew how to build electronics that last for life back in these days !
Nice microscope you have by the way.

 

[Bluejets]

I remember those things...had to find a shady spot to see the display and took 3 hands to operate the buttons.

 

[Jbrt]

I think there may be a chance of reviving this artifact by using isopropyl alcohol spray. Personally i wouldnt risk cleaning it with a brush because you will certainly destroy the tine wires. the traces look okay under the growth. They knew how to build electronics that last for life back in these days !
Nice microscope you have by the way.

Thank you for your reply and advice. I understand that I have to be very careful with this 'work of art' Can I dip the electronics in alcohol or should I just spray it? I used a Panasonic Lumix FZ 28 with a Raynox Super Macro conversion adapter lens to take the pictures.

 

[debe]

Love the detailed photography.

 

[HellasTechn]

I think that you should spray it and allow time to dry. It might take several spray - dry cycles though.
P.S. It is indeed work of art. I used the term artifact and i meant it

 

[BobK]

I think that you should spray it and allow time to dry.

How does that remove anything?

Bob

 

[HellasTechn]

Spraying helps clean a pcb right? does it not ?
I believe it is too fragile to be touched even by soft brush. As for diping it, im not sure.
What would you try if you where in his place ?

 

[davenn]

I would be buying a can or two of contact cleaner or similar with the long tube nozzle
and gently spraying the board(s) DEFINITELY don't touch the board at this stage

https://www.altronics.com.au/p/t3061-contact-cleaning-lube-aerosol-175g/

https://www.altronics.com.au/p/t3066-electronic-cleaning-solvent-aerosol-175g/

https://www.altronics.com.au/p/t3069-pcb-cleaner-aerosol-175g/

there's some choices, the last 2 probably the best starters

 

[BobK]

I still don’t see how spraying with a solvent and letting it dry removes any residue. Can someone please explain it?

I can see how contact cleaner works on mechanical switches. It softens the residue and then operating the switch brushes it off. But that is not what is being recommended here.

Bob

 

[Alec_t]

I have kept the watch to show the younger generation what a digital watch looked like in the late seventies.

Have you shown them the interesting flora/fauna/crystals that you've shown us in those excellent post #1 pics?

 

[davenn]

I still don’t see how spraying with a solvent and letting it dry removes any residue. Can someone please explain it?

ohhh Bob

because gently spraying it one of those cleaners I mentioned ( particularly the 2nd or 3rd one)
will dissolve and wash away the corrosion ... very straight forward, no black magic

Dave

 

[BobK]

Oh, so spraying it on really means flooding it with solvent, and letting it pour off. Not spraying it like spray paint and letting it dry!

That wasn’t clear to me.

Bob

 

[Bluejets]

Might be far better off going the Ebay route.
As an example...... AU$10.00.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Working...m3fcda56064:g:1aAAAOSwEDFdko9S&frcectupt=true

 

[HellasTechn]

Oh, so spraying it on really means flooding it with solvent, and letting it pour off. Not spraying it like spray paint and letting it dry!
That wasn’t clear to me.
Bob

Its all right, i thought you knew what we ment

 

[HellasTechn]

Might be far better off going the Ebay route.
As an example...... AU$10.00.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Working...m3fcda56064:g:1aAAAOSwEDFdko9S&frcectupt=true

Yes but why not give it a try first right ?

 

[Bluejets]

Yes but why not give it a try first right ?

When one has had enough experience one knows when one is beating a dead horse.