One of my all-time favourite scenarios:

"Honey... the clock doesn't run properly anymore. Let's use some spraylube (WD-40, Mov-it, penetrant oil, that wonder silicone / Teflon / Lithium spray from the Late Night TV Special Ad... you know the stuff)."


This stuff is NOT suitable for clocks. A lot of these products trap moisture and/or contain acidic or basic compounds that will attack the brass plates and other components of a clock over a period of time. Some others, especially the Lithium based compounds, are not soluble in the majority of cleaning fluids used in the Horological repair field. These will now require two, three or more laborious cleaning sessions by hand, so that the traces can be removed.
Time is money, so invariably, someone will be charged with an extra cleaning surcharge.

These spraylubes also deposit a fine mist of stickiness inside the cabinetry, which can delaminate the fine veneers, especially on antiques, like that prized Vienna Regulator found at that auction...

Spraylube also attracts dust. Lot's of it. And lint, little flies or bugs... I'm sure you get the picture.

For those that don't, see below...

This one was just dripping with the stuff. Everywhere. It was just a sticky mess, causing the clock to finally stop.
It had even penetrated the inside of the casework and wooden dial backing.

This wonderful German Regulator suffered irreparable damage to it's brass plates due to acidic corrosion, as well as veneer delamination of the inside casework . Again, it was just dripping with the stuff.

The owner, who had inherited this beautiful clock from his late father, said his dad swore by the stuff. If it worked on the old farms' combine, then it must be great stuff for a clock...