# A watch, a washer, a drop of water: a question about condensation **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 31, 2006, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-watch-a-washer-a-drop-of-water-a-question-about-condensation/358824 "2006-05-31T02:42:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-watch-a-washer-a-drop-of-water-a-question-about-condensation/358824/21 "2006-06-02T11:00:16Z")
> [@Campion](#): > > Sadly, it appears that 70% IPA is ineffective. Or at least not totally effective. There is still some condensation inside the watch face, although not as much as there was before. Maybe I didn’t leave the watch in the IPA long enough. > > At this point, I’m torn. On the one hand, I do want to see if this stuff works. On the other hand, I’m too lazy to go out and find anhydrous IPA and too chicken to try HEET. (And the other suggestions are _way_ too practical for me.) > > Sorry, kids. This may be as far as I go for science. My point was that HEET is anhydrous alcohol; and iso-HEET is specifically anhydrous IPA. I was just letting you know that it is easily obtainable in smaller quantities at the grocery store. Sorry if I didn’t make that clear. I think if you are willing to use 70% IPA and it didn’t do any damage; you really should move on to the 100% stuff found in HEET. Its for SCIENCE after all! ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-watch-a-washer-a-drop-of-water-a-question-about-condensation/358824/22 "2006-06-02T18:02:10Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > Digital: Maybe someone else can answer, I cannot suggest anything from experience. I’ve had experience with two brands of digital watches – Timex and Shark/Freestyle. For both watch models that I own, the watch component can be removed from the case. I’ve heard stories about people soaking their Palm Pilots, then disassembling them and allowing them to air-dry; I’m assuming you could do the same for a digital watch. An interesting note concerning digital watches and battery changes: some models rely on a little piece of metal and some screws to hold the battery in place, while others rely on pressue produced by the back of the watch to hold the battery against the contacts. Also, some digital watches have to be reset by holding down one of the buttons for several seconds after installing the battery (I almost lost a good watch because the jeweler I took it to for battery replacement didn’t realize it needed resetting, and wanted to throw it away). ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-watch-a-washer-a-drop-of-water-a-question-about-condensation/358824/23 "2006-06-02T18:22:19Z")
> [@Campion](#): > > The watch still works, but there is a lot of condensation under the glass on the face of the watch. How would someone go about drying out the watch? I always put the watch in a place where there will be a warm, dry, draft and leave it for 24-48 hours. The water got in without cracking the case, it’ll get out the same way. ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-watch-a-washer-a-drop-of-water-a-question-about-condensation/358824/24 "2006-06-03T00:42:55Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > My point was that HEET is anhydrous alcohol; and iso-HEET is specifically anhydrous IPA. I was just letting you know that it is easily obtainable in smaller quantities at the grocery store. Sorry if I didn’t make that clear. > I think if you are willing to use 70% IPA and it didn’t do any damage; you really should move on to the 100% stuff found in HEET. > > Its for SCIENCE after all! Fair point. My concern with iso-HEET is the unknown [“special additive.”](http://www.goldeagle.com/heet/faqs_heet_detail.asp?product=HEET&ID=90) I’m not sure my love for science extends to “special additives.” > [@Brain Wreck](#): > > I always put the watch in a place where there will be a warm, dry, draft and leave it for 24-48 hours. The water got in without cracking the case, it’ll get out the same way. Good point. But it’s been four days, and I still have water in there. I know I’m impatient, but four days!!! Maybe I will look for some purer IPA sans “special additive” this weekend and see if that does the job. If not, I may have to resort to taking it to a professional. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-watch-a-washer-a-drop-of-water-a-question-about-condensation/358824.md?page=1)